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The Ivy Centre Journal

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Years of Work But Only 150 Characters to Explain It: Why Most Extracurriculars Sound Forgettable on the Common App Activity List  How to Make Yours Stand Out Even If They Seem Just... Ordinary

Experiences & Opportunities

Years of Work But Only 150 Characters to Explain It: Why Most Extracurriculars Sound Forgettable on the Common App Activity List How to Make Yours Stand Out Even If They Seem Just... Ordinary

You spent years building your activities. Now the Common App gives you just 150 characters to explain each one. Learn how to decide what deserves the space, turn ordinary-sounding experiences into specific evidence of contribution and impact, and choose activities strategically across different college applications. BONUS: We show you how the same thinking can help you build better brag sheets so each recommender adds a distinct perspective to your application.

Read article SEP 24, 2026

The Ivy Centre

Think deeply. Move intentionally.

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