What Is the Common App Activities Section?
The Common Application’s Activities section allows you to showcase up to ten extracurricular activities, jobs, and leadership roles. For each activity, you’re asked to include:
- The name of the activity and your role
- A brief description (max 150 characters)
- Years of participation and time commitment
Though brief, this section is your chance to demonstrate impact beyond grades—especially with nationally recognized organizations like the National Honor Society (NHS).
Why National Honor Society Descriptions Matter on College Applications
While many students include National Honor Society on their Common App, few use the space effectively. Admissions officers see NHS frequently, so your entry needs to go beyond the title to stand out.
Here's why your description matters:
- NHS represents leadership, service, character, and scholarship
- It shows consistent commitment and civic engagement
- Strong descriptions convey initiative and measurable impact
Key Components to Include in Your NHS Description
To make the most of the 150-character limit, highlight these elements:
- Position Held: Were you a member, secretary, vice president, or president?
- Leadership Role: Did you organize events, lead meetings, or coordinate volunteers?
- Service Work: Mention major service initiatives or recurring volunteer efforts.
- Impact Metrics: Use numbers—hours, funds raised, people served—when possible.
- Recognition: Note any awards, honors, or achievements tied to NHS participation.
Example Entries for Common App: NHS at Its Best
✅ Strong Descriptions:
- Led weekly meetings, coordinated 4 service drives, logged 120+ hours; initiated peer tutoring for underclassmen.
- Organized NHS food drive collecting 3,000+ items; managed team of 15 volunteers; led service learning workshops.
🚫 Weak Descriptions:
- Participated in NHS and helped with volunteering.
- Did community service through school club and attended meetings.
🧩 Tailored by Role:
If Member:
- Volunteered 80+ hrs in tutoring and shelter work; supported blood drives and city cleanups; upheld NHS values of service.
If President:
- Oversaw chapter of 60+ students; ran monthly meetings; led city-wide charity drive raising $4K for local health clinic.
9 Pro Tips for Writing Your NHS Entry on Common App
- Be specific – Vague words like “helped” or “participated” say little. Use action verbs like “led,” “organized,” or “managed.”
- Focus on outcomes – Highlight what you accomplished, not just what you did.
- Quantify when possible – Numbers grab attention. Include service hours, funds raised, or attendance figures.
- Use powerful verbs – Avoid filler; every word should count.
- Align with NHS values – Show how you embodied service, leadership, character, and scholarship.
- Max out the space – Aim for 140–150 characters without padding or fluff.
- Don’t repeat what’s in other sections – Keep your Common App concise and non-redundant.
- Tailor it to your narrative – Reinforce what your application says about you elsewhere.
- Get feedback – Ask teachers or counselors to review your entry for clarity and effectiveness.
Common Mistakes Students Make with NHS on the Common App
- Listing the title only – Simply writing “NHS Member” without any context wastes the opportunity.
- Being too vague – Generic statements don’t show who you are or what you did.
- Overusing clichés – Phrases like “passionate about helping others” feel empty without evidence.
How to List NHS if You Participated in Multiple Years
If you participated over multiple grades (e.g., 10th–12th), you can show:
- Growth over time – "Member in 10th, Secretary in 11th, VP in 12th"
- Evolving impact – "Tutored peers, then organized school-wide events"
If the character limit is tight, summarize progression like this:
- Member (Gr 10), then led 4 projects as VP (Gr 11–12); 100+ service hrs.
Enhancing Your NHS Entry with Additional Activities
If NHS led you to start a separate initiative or service project (like a tutoring program or environmental campaign), list those in separate entries:
- Activity 1: National Honor Society
- Activity 2: Founder, Schoolwide Peer Tutoring Program
This allows you to emphasize both your role within NHS and how it inspired broader leadership.
What Admissions Officers Want to See from Your NHS Involvement
Colleges aren’t just looking for prestige—they want evidence of your growth and initiative. Strong NHS entries should reflect:
- Clear leadership
- Meaningful service
- Connection to your passions or intended major
- Alignment with their values (especially for mission-driven colleges)
Where Else to Mention NHS in Your Application
Besides the Activities section, NHS can appear in:
- Honors Section – If you received NHS-specific awards or were inducted early.
- Additional Information Section – If space is limited or you want to elaborate.
- Essays/Supplements – When discussing service, leadership, or school involvement.
FAQs About Describing NHS on the Common App
Q1: Should I list NHS in the Honors section or Activities?
A: If you're actively involved, use the Activities section. For induction or honorary membership only, list it under Honors.
Q2: What if I didn’t hold a leadership role in NHS?
A: Focus on your impact and service. Leadership isn’t only about titles—it’s about initiative and commitment.
Q3: How do I know if my description is strong enough?
A: Share it with a teacher or counselor. Ask: “Does this show what I did, why it mattered, and how I made a difference?”
Q4: Can I mention hours volunteered in NHS?
A: Yes! It’s a great way to show dedication. Just be brief: “Logged 120+ service hours over 3 years.”
Q5: I was in NHS but didn’t do much. Should I list it?
A: Only if you can tie it to some form of meaningful participation. Otherwise, use the space for more impactful activities.
Q6: Can I write about NHS in my college essay?
A: Yes—especially if it led to personal growth, inspired future goals, or sparked your passion for service or leadership.
