Why Fewer Activities Can Make a Bigger Impact on the Common App

In the competitive world of college admissions, it's easy for students (and parents) to believe that more is always better—more clubs, more sports, more service hours.

But as application season heats up, a growing number of admissions experts are urging students to consider a different approach: do less, but do it well.

In fact, many colleges are becoming increasingly impressed by applicants who show depth, consistency, and leadership in a few select areas, rather than those who list ten unrelated or surface-level activities.

Whether you are a rising senior about to start filling out your college applications or a rising freshman trying to figure out how to spend the extra hours of free summer time, this blog post is for you. 

What Colleges Are Really Looking For

The Activities section of the Common App allows students to list up to 10 extracurriculars, jobs, or family responsibilities. But here’s a truth often overlooked: you don’t need to fill all 10 slots.

What colleges truly want to see is:

• Passion: What excites and motivates you?

• Commitment: How long have you been involved, and how deeply?

• Leadership & Impact: Have you taken initiative, led others, or made a difference?

• Authenticity: Does your involvement align with your story and goals?

A student who’s spent four years building a nonprofit, researching in a lab, or coaching younger students may stand out far more than one who’s a member of 12 clubs, but only attended meetings occasionally.

Quality Over Quantity: A Real Shift

A recent Forbes article ("For Elite College Admissions, Fewer Activities May Mean More") highlights how selective colleges are paying closer attention to “application coherence”—in other words, whether your activities, coursework, and essays form a clear, meaningful narrative.

This doesn't mean students should become one-dimensional, but rather that they should prioritize meaningful involvement over résumé-padding.

Admissions Tip: If your activities list looks like a patchwork of disconnected items, admissions readers may struggle to understand who you are and what you care about.

How to Choose the Right Activities to Feature

Here’s how students can curate their list for maximum impact:

1. Focus on Core Themes Group activities by shared interests (e.g., science, advocacy, writing). Reinforce these themes through essays or additional info sections.

2. Highlight Leadership & Initiative Rather than just listing a club name, use the 150-character description to show how you contributed: “Founded mental health awareness campaign reaching 400+ students.”

3. Don’t Underestimate “Unusual” Involvement Family responsibilities, part-time work, caregiving, or independent projects all count. Colleges value students who show responsibility and initiative in many forms.

4. Less Can Be More If you only have 5–6 activities that truly reflect your values, that’s fine. A focused list can be stronger and more memorable than a cluttered one.

At Peak College Consulting, we discuss students filling three buckets for their extracurricular activities. 

1. Giving Back to Others

2. Developing Soft Skills

3. Show Intellectual Curiosity

Final Thoughts

In today’s admissions landscape, authenticity, purpose, and depth matter more than ever. Colleges aren’t counting activities; they’re looking for character, impact, and clarity of purpose.

Encourage your student to ask: What do I care about? How have I shown that in my time outside the classroom?

That story told with honesty and intention will always rise above the noise.

Need help crafting a compelling Activities List or Common App strategy?

Let’s talk. I guide students through a focused, values-based approach that highlights what really matters—and helps them stand out in a sea of applications. Visit www.peakcollegeconsulting.com.