How much to list in the extra-curricular activities section? Forum

[wert3813]

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[stuckinthemiddle]

How much do people list in the extra-curricular activities section on the application. Obviously your resume hits the stuff you want to highlight but what about this particular section. Did people take this as an opportunity to show how "involved" you are or still take the if you write down less those items will get more attention approach?

I struggled with this too. I had nearly 12 substantial activities over the course of my undergrad years, but was scared to put them all for fear of looking like a non-committal extra-curric whore.

In the end, I just put them all because I wanted to show adcomms the cumulative time commitment I had given to ventures outside the classroom.

Just be honest, and put anything substantial. If you're not stretching the truth in any way (especially with the number of hours/week, they can't really fault you for doing a lot of things).

[pifhib2]

Don't put things like 'German club.' Put things that show leadership and involvement. Things like Big Brother Big Sister, honor council, student government, and the like.

[wert3813]

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[pifhib2]

If you did something like SGA all four years would you put the different positions/titles each year? Or at least the last two when you where directors of various stuff?

It's a judgment call. You want to point out your strengths, but I'm of the opinion that you don't want to overwhelm whoever has to read your app. If you were in SGA though and had a position all 4 years, I would probably put them.

Student Government Association, 2007-2011
Representative, 2007
Treasurer, 2008
Vice President, 2009
President, 2010

Something like that maybe?