Random Questions asked on the Common App

Applying to College
1

Some of the colleges ask what activities I’d be interested in participating in if I were to attend. I haven’t exactly researched all of the colleges I’m applying to so extensively, but I know I’d like to be somewhat involved on campus wherever I get into. Should I answer the question and select whatever activities sound interesting, like volunteer work, literary magazine, study abroad, working with Amnesty International (I’m planning on studying international communications so it’s not like selecting something like that would come across as totally out of left field), etc. I’m only selecting 2-3 activities that either pertain to my major and/or things I did in High School (like litmag), but I know once I start college I might not have time for all that. I know it’s probably unlikely since it’s not like I’m an athlete looking to join a team or anything, but does selecting activities impact the application process in any way? Should I leave them blank?

It also asks what’s the highest degree I plan to earn. Some of the colleges I’m applying to have an accelerated masters program so I could get both a BA and MA in 5 years, and if I attended one of those schools it’s definitely something I’d be interested in, but I know that might not be possible depending on where I’m at during the school year and/or after graduation if I don’t go into an accelerated masters program. Should I just answer undecided, or would it look better if I say that I want to get my masters.

2

I don’t think those questions in particular have too much effect on your admissions decision. I just answered honestly as I thought they were only meant to gather data.

3

You should answer honestly because thats how all questions should be answered, but this is not simply data collection - particularly if this is a free form response and not a drop down. Everything on the application can serve to demonstrate who you are and why you and the school are a good fit for each other - even extracurriculars. If the school does interviews, it might also be used to match up interviewers with applicants. How much this stuff matters will depend on the competitiveness of the schools we are talking about.

I would definitely not leave the section blank. I always asked people I interviewed for Brown what things on campus they’d want to get involved in. It was a negative for me if the person couldn’t answer. I don’t mean I expect the person to be 100% committed to the answers they give me, but your 2nd sentence is exactly what I was testing for. Certainly my interview report has virtually no impact on the applicant’s chances, but if that attitude is on the application, it definitely can hurt you.

Brown rejects ~90% of the applicant pool. Only ~60% of the applicants are truly “unqualified for Brown”, the other 30% are perfectly qualified but get rejected because the remaining 10% were a better fit.