Can You Edit the Placement of Activities on the Common App? (Spoiler Alert: It’s Trickier Than You Think!)
So, you’ve meticulously crafted your Common App, painstakingly detailing every extracurricular activity from your reign as “Supreme Ruler of the 7th Grade Chess Club” to your groundbreaking invention of the “Self-Folding Laundry Basket” (patent pending, of course). But hold on, your brilliant mind has hatched a new plan – you want to shake things up, rearrange your activities, and ensure your most impressive achievements grace the top of the list.
Can you do this? The answer, my friend, is a resounding “maybe”.
The Common App, like a stubborn mule, has its own set of rules. It’s not a free-for-all where you can waltz in and rearrange your activities like furniture in a dorm room. But, fear not, intrepid applicant! We’re going to delve into the murky depths of Common App editing, and emerge with a clear understanding of what you can and cannot do with your precious activities section.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Common App Editing
Let’s break it down: * You can edit your activities for future applications: This is the good news! After submitting your application to one school, you can still make changes to your activities section for any other schools you plan to apply to. This allows you to keep tweaking your profile, adding new experiences, and showcasing your evolution as a well-rounded student. * You can’t edit activities for schools you’ve already submitted to: Once you hit that “Submit” button, your application, including those meticulously curated activities, is locked in for that particular school. It’s like sealing a time capsule – once it’s buried, you can’t go digging for changes. So, how does this all play out in the real world? Scenario 1: The “Oops, I Accidentally Submitted” Moment You’re rushing to meet the deadline, and in your haste, you accidentally submit your application with a glaring typo in your activities section. Your “President of the Debate Club” somehow transformed into “President of the Debate Club (and the World)”. Fear not, intrepid applicant, you can still edit your application before submitting it to other schools. Just take a deep breath, fix that typo, and move on. Scenario 2: The “I Found a New Activity” Dilemma You’ve just landed an internship at a prestigious research lab, adding a new layer of brilliance to your already stellar resume. However, you’ve already submitted your application to a few schools. Alas, you can’t add this shiny new experience to your application for those schools. But fret not, your newfound brilliance can still shine for other schools in your application queue. Scenario 3: The “I Need to Rearrange My Activities” Conundrum You’ve finally landed your dream internship, and you want to make sure it’s front and center on your application. But you’ve already submitted your application to several schools. The Common App, in its infinite wisdom, allows you to edit your activities for future applications, but it doesn’t let you reorder them once submitted. So, you’ll have to make a strategic decision – should you submit your application to your dream school first, ensuring your internship takes top billing? Or should you strategically submit to other schools first, giving you time to adjust the order for your dream school?
The Art of Activity Placement: A Strategic Guide
The Common App doesn’t offer a “Drag and Drop” feature for activities, which is a shame, considering how much fun it would be to watch those activities dance around like a digital game of Tetris. But don’t despair! You can still make your activities stand out by following these simple tips: * Embrace the “Order of Importance” Principle: The Common App explicitly instructs students to list their activities in order of importance. This means your most impressive activity should always be at the top of the list, followed by progressively less impressive activities. * Think Like an Admissions Committee: Remember, admissions committees are bombarded with hundreds of applications. They’ll likely pay the most attention to your first few entries. Make sure these entries are attention-grabbing, showcasing your most impressive achievements. * Quality Over Quantity: The Common App provides space for 20 activities. Don’t feel pressured to fill every slot. Focus on listing activities that truly showcase your talents, passions, and commitment. Remember, quality trumps quantity, so don’t waste precious space on activities that don’t truly reflect your strengths.
The Additional Information Section: Your Secret Weapon
The Common App also offers an “Additional Information” section. This is like a free-response essay where you can elaborate on any aspect of your application. For example, if you want to highlight a specific activity or accomplishment that didn’t quite fit into the structured format of the activities section, you can use this space to provide more details. Think of it as a chance to provide context, nuance, and a deeper understanding of your impressive resume.
Remember, It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
The Common App is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time, review your activities, and make sure they accurately reflect your achievements and passions. Don’t be afraid to seek advice from mentors, teachers, or guidance counselors. And most importantly, remember to be yourself. Your authenticity will shine through, even if you can’t rearrange your activities on the Common App.
Need More Help?
If you’re still feeling a bit lost in the labyrinth of Common App editing, the JobLoving community is here to help. We offer resources, tips, and guidance to help you navigate the college application process with confidence. We’re like your personal cheerleaders, rooting for you every step of the way. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. We’re here to help you achieve your dreams, one application (and one strategically placed activity) at a time.