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Make Every Word Count

Common App gives you 150 characters to describe each activity. This tool analyzes your descriptions and gives instant feedback on verb strength, quantification, and impact clarity.

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Write your description
Type what you currently have in Common App (max 150 chars)
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Get instant analysis
See how strong your action verb is, whether you quantified impact, and how to improve
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Optimize all 10
Work through each activity slot to maximize the strength of your list

Activity 1

Fill in the details for this activity slot.

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The 150-Character Framework

✓ Strong descriptions include:
  • A strong past-tense action verb as the first word
  • Numbers: members, participants, dollars raised, events organized
  • Your specific role and what you did, not just the club's purpose
  • Outcome or achievement if space allows
✗ Weak descriptions include:
  • Passive voice ("was responsible for", "helped with")
  • Generic club descriptions that any member could write
  • Vague language with no numbers or specifics
  • Restating the activity name or type in the description
Power Verb Bank

Before & After Examples

Music
✗ Before (93 chars)
I am in the school orchestra and play violin. We rehearse twice a week and perform at concerts.
✓ After (122 chars)
First-chair violinist in 85-member orchestra; performed in 6 regional concerts, led weekly sectional rehearsals for 12 strings.
Service
✗ Before (102 chars)
Member of the Environmental Club where we do environmental projects and raise awareness about climate change.
✓ After (133 chars)
Co-founded Green Campus Initiative; organized 3 school-wide recycling campaigns, reducing waste by 40%; grew membership from 5 to 60.
Community Service
✗ Before (81 chars)
I volunteer at a local food bank on weekends helping distribute food to people in need.
✓ After (141 chars)
Volunteered 200+ hrs at city food bank; trained 15 new volunteers; helped coordinate weekend distributions serving 300 families weekly.