<p>The Common App asks students to list extracurricular activities in order of their importance. To be honest, I have to list non-academic activites (Hiking and Piano) before math and science activities. Does this focus suggest that I wouldn’t enjoy Caltech? For that matter, does it mean that I would be unlikely to get into Caltech? Academically I love Math and Science, I just happen to enjoy hiking more.</p>
<p>You could interpret “importance” in various ways. One way is how much you enjoy the activities. Another way is how willing you are to give them up. </p>
<p>For example: Back in high school I enjoyed computer games more than playing the piano. But I stopped playing computer games before I stopped playing the piano. </p>
<p>So maybe in that sense math and science activities actually are more important than hiking.</p>
<p>Yeah, I see what you mean. I guess hiking seems more important because it is more different from my academic life. I would be hard pressed to give up all math/science activities - it’s just that any individual one seems rather expendable, because I like the quantitative thought that goes into math and science, but am not too picky as to exactly what I’m thinking about.<br>
With that in mind, I’m going to apply - I guess I’ll see what the admissions committee thinks on the subject 
Thanks for your reply.</p>
<p>use your app to describe yourself…Don’t just cater it to the college.
Do what YOU think is important.</p>