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On the common application, there is a section for you to explain which extra-cirricular activity has been the most influential/important to you.

It doesn't give an idea of how long it is supposed to be...how long do you reccommend I write it? I wrote a paragraph; is that too short, are they looking for a page? Thanks in advance!

By Crnchycereal (Crnchycereal) on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 04:06 pm: Edit

I've heard different things regarding the activity portion of the common app. I for one took my activities essay from the Yale app and put it in that space (no problems with space/formatting). Some people think one should have a full essay if possible, others say a paragraph. I'm of the opinion that the more writing you submit, the better. After all, a mere paragraph doesn't really say much about you past the actual activity. A strong essay in that space conveys the activity AND a sense of who you are.

By Nyyankees408 (Nyyankees408) on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 05:03 pm: Edit

Thanks Crnchycereal.

Anyone else know how much they are putting down for the common apps' extra-cirricular section?

By Madpie21 (Madpie21) on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 06:01 pm: Edit

I wrote an entire essay in order to fulfill Yale's supplemental essay requirement. Like Crnchycereal said, the more the better most likely.

By Thedad (Thedad) on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 06:32 pm: Edit

The EC space on the Yale app was pretty terse, so in the "Additional Information" section D wrote 2-3 pargraphs explaining why her main EC was so important to her and how it fit into applying to Yale. It wasn't the length of an essay...maybe half an essay.

I'm of the opinion that those "Additional Information" spaces are there to be used...think of anything you'd really like to explain in greater depth than the app gives you space for and then do so.

By Crnchycereal (Crnchycereal) on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 06:40 pm: Edit

Yeah, for the Yale "Additional Information" space, I found myself listing my major ECs in more detail. The format they give you for ECs just doesn't cut it. The extra space let me explain briefly what each EC entailed, my specific participation, and what awards/honors I'd received. Hopefully it will detract from the possibility of my ECs being interpreted as a laundry list.

By Momofsenior (Momofsenior) on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 09:02 pm: Edit

It says on the common app to use the space provided below or on a separate sheet if necessary. The space provided is only room for about a half page at most. I wouldn't make it much longer unless it's really worthwhile. Sometimes less is more.