Common Application Short Answer Tips

Pick the Right Activitiy

It may be tempting to pick an activity because you think it needs further explanation. You may be worried that the one-line description in the extracurricular section of the Common Application isn't clear. However, the Short Answer shouldn't be viewed as a place for clarification. You should focus on a long-term activity that means a lot to you. Admissions Officers really want to see what makes you tick. Use this space to elaborate upon your greatest passion, whether that be playing chess, swimming, or working at the local bookstore.

The best extracurricular activities are those that mean the most to you, not the ones that you think will most impress the admissions folks.

Explain Why the Activity Is Important to You

The prompt uses the word "elaborate." Be careful how you interpret this word. You want to do more than describe the activity. You should analyze the activity. Why is it important to you? For example, if you worked on a political campaign, you shouldn't simply describe what your duties were. You should explain why you believed in the campaign. Discuss how the political views of the candidate intersected with your own beliefs and values. The true purpose of the Short Answer isn't for the admissions officers to learn more about the activity; it's for them to learn more about you. As an example, Christie's short answer does a great job showing why running is important to her.

Be Precise and Detailed

Whatever activity you chose to elaborate upon, make sure you present it with precise details. If you describe your activity with vague language and generic details, you will fail to capture why you are passionate about the activity. Don't simply say you like an activity because it is "fun" or because it helps you with skills that you haven't identified. Ask yourself why it is fun or rewarding — do you like the teamwork, the intellectual challenge, the travel, the feeling of physical exhaustion?

Make Every Word Count

The length limit may vary from one school to the next, but 150 to 250 words is common, and some schools go even shorter and ask for 100 words. This isn't a lot of space, so you want to choose every word carefully. The short answer needs to be concise and substantive. You have no space for wordiness, repetition, digression, vague language, or flowery language. You should also use most of the space you are given. An 80-word response is failing to take full advantage of this opportunity to tell the admissions folks about one of your passions. To get the most out of your 150 words, you'll want to make sure your essay's style avoids common pitfalls. Gwen's short answer essay provides an example of a response that is plagued by repetition and vague language.

Strike the Right Tone

The tone of your short answer can be serious or playful, but you want to avoid a couple of common mistakes. If your short answer has a dry, matter-of-fact tone, your passion for the activity will not come across. Try to write with energy. Also, watch out for sounding like a braggart or egotist. Doug's short answer focuses on a promising topic, but the tone of the essay is likely to create a bad impression with the admissions folks.

Be Sincere

It is often easy to tell if an applicant is creating a false reality in an effort to impress the admissions officers. Don't write about your work at a church fundraiser if your true passion is actually football. A college won't admit someone just because the student is a do-gooder. They will admit students who reveal motivation, passion, and honesty.