In this article, we’ll be discussing how to write the UC activities list.

The UC activities list is an important element of your application. And, the right wording can help make your ECs and activities look much stronger than you expect.

The University of California campuses receive many applicants every year. In particular, UCLA received 169,800 applications for fall 2023 admissions. With stats like these, you can be certain that the admissions office is going to look through your application with a fine tooth comb.

Sure. Your grades may be strong. Fine. You may have earned a lot of awards and notable mentions. But, how you frame said achievements can make or break your admissions decisions.

Before you get writing your ECs, we recommend reading our comprehensive guide on how to write the UC activities list from start to finish.

It’s a bit long, we know. But, trust us: It’s worth it.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

7 Tips on How to Write the UC Activities List.
Example UC Activities List Items That Worked.
UC Activities List Frequently Asked Questions.
- Does the University of California Check to See if Extracurricular Activities are Legit?

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7 Tips on How to Write the UC Activities List.

UC Activities List Tip #1: Strong Words are Good… for What They’re Worth.

I’m going to give you two descriptions. It’s up to you, dear reader, to distinguish between which seems more impressive. Take a look.

“Checked people’s work during tutoring sessions.”
“✨Revised✨ and ✨provided✨ overviews on student classwork during tutoring sessions”

Clearly, the second example is a stronger one.

Thus, you should consider using stronger verbs and descriptions in general.

But, if you think about it, you can tell the second option is still saying the first option only in a fancier way. At the end of the day, it’s still trying to game the system.

Just because you make your UC activities sound more impressive DOESN’T mean they are.

Okay, we’re being facetious about the second one with the emojis. But, you get the point.

Let’s look at another example.

“Served as president of FBLA and conducted multiple projects, successfully growing 2 student-run businesses and their take-home profits by 80% and netting approximately $25,000 per operation.”
Operated as FBLA’s president and undertook multiple ✨highly successful projects✨, 2 of which dramatically skyrocketed profits by 80% and thereby instantiated $25,000 per operation.

Alright, alright. We’ll stop with the emojis.

Anyway, do you notice how the second option sounds stronger because it uses stronger language? However, if you really compare the two, you’ll notice that this is at the cost of brevity and general understanding.

Admissions would have a hard time understanding the second option, despite its stronger language. The readability would become less streamlined; and, at worst, only serve to annoy admissions officers whose job is to easily make a decision on your application.

Also, it doesn’t help if they think you’re trying to inflate your activities.

So, what does this ultimately mean for us?

Ultimately, the best way to write your UC activities list is to balance between stronger words/verbs and being concise/easy to understand. Being too verbose risks being difficult to understand. Being too simple risks understating the strength of your application. So, be balanced!

UC Activities List Tip #2: Write About Growth and Learning.

This is probably the most underrated tip when it comes to writing the UC activities list.

Most students do not write about growth. Most do not discuss what they’ve learned from their experience.

Strangely enough, most UC activities lists talk more about how impressive the applicant is rather than how they’ve developed over time due to the experience. They don’t discuss these activities as if they were learning experiences; rather, they talk about them like they’re job descriptions.

This is not a good way to approach the activities list.

At the ages of 18-22, experiences are not just work experiences. They’re opportunities for growth. So, write not just about what you did but also how you developed and grew from it!

If you worked at your parents’ restaurant, you’re learning new modes of operations and management in a complex business with multiple moving parts —which can translate to your other experiences.

When you create a new startup project in high school or college, you’re learning other elements of your field that you may not have otherwise discovered. Engineering startup? Get ready to learn marketing. Starting a business in the medical profession? It’s time to start rubbing elbows with those in Law and Finance.

And… wait for it…

You might screw up.

But, that’s okay!

Everyone has moments where they screw up in their activities or experiences. Eagle Scouts screw up. Interns screw up (a lot). Tutors screw up. Aspiring stock market traders and consultants screw up. That’s fine.

Should you write about it in the UC activities list? Well, probably not. But, writing about them in your college essay can be a great addition that increases your admissions acceptance rate significantly. This is especially true if you have the humility to write about your mistakes and your growth from it in a manner that impresses admissions officers very well.

UC Activities List Tip #3: Remember to Use Statistics.

This is a simple tip.

When writing your UC activities list, remember to address improvements or growth in numbers whenever possible. This is especially true for students writing about clubs, startups, or work experience in the UC activities list that is quantifiable.

Here’s an example.

Let’s say you worked a part-time job as a cashier. Did you also do any of the marketing that comes with upselling certain merchandise? If so, mention this in your UC activities list and write about how much money you made the company. In addition, you should write how much you’ve increased revenue and by what %.

Alright. Here’s another example.

Let’s say you started a club for students looking to get into entrepreneurship as CS or Engineering majors. How many students joined this club? What % of students stayed? Did you sell any merch? How much money did it make for the club? What is the % of profits and total revenue? How does that compare year by year?

Numbers like these are often useful because admissions officers are reading your UC activities list FAST. They’re truly looking through it swiftly; so, giving them solid numbers is going to help them conceptualize just how strong of an applicant you are quickly.

Note: If you do not have access to the numbers, you may want to speak with your club/project/workplace supervisor for their analytics. Often, they will have numbers from tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or general business spreadsheets that you can use.

UC Activities List Tip #4: A List of Exciting Words.

Using strong “power words” can give your UC activities list the much-needed “oomph” required to stand out amongst the rest of the application essay.

Of course, not all words are going to be appropriate. Some are better for those getting into medicine. Others are better suited for aspiring consultants or attorneys.

It depends on the field. But, you don’t need to overthink it.

Remember: you’re just trying to boost your admissions chances. Don’t waste time trying to split hairs by finding words that are more perfect than perfect.

We’ve provided a list of words to use in your UC activities list below.

Words for Teamwork

accommodate	connect	merge	tune
adapt	correlate	orchestrate	unify
align	dovetail	order	unite
aline	equalize	pair
arrange	even	proportion
array	fit	reconcile
attune	fuse	regularize
balance	harmonize	square
blend	integrate	standardize
combine	join	suit
conciliate	key	synchronize
conform	match	synthesize

Words for Creativity

Adapted	Condensed	Devised	Integrated	Modified	Planned
Adjusted	Conformed	Displayed	Intended	Originated	Revitalized
Applied	Customized	Drafted	Introduced	Patched	Shaped
Built	Deliberate	Fashioned	Launched	Performed	Spearheaded
Command	Designed	Formulated	Lead	Piloted	Suited
Conceptualized	Determined	Initiated	Modeled	Pioneered	Tailored

Analysis/Planning

Administered	Diagnosed	Laid out	Run
Administrated	Directed	Managed	Searched
Analyzed	Discovered	Maneuvered	Shaped
Assembled	Engineered	Mapped	Solved
Assessed	Evaluated	Measured	Studied
Carried on	Examined	Operated	Superintended
Checked	Experimented	Organized	Supervised
Clarified	Explored	Oversaw	Surveyed
Conducted	Governed	Planned	Tended
Controlled	Guided	Probed	Test
Convert	Handled	Proved	Tested
Critiqued	Identified	Quantified	Tracked
Designed	Invented	Ran	Trial
Detected	Investigated	Regulated	Watched over
Devised	Kept	Reviewed

Words for Improvements

Adapted	Inured	Refined	Tough
Adjusted	Invigorated	Remade	Toughened
Altered	Lifted	Remodeled	Updated
Amplify	Masculine	Reorganized	Upgraded
Boosted	Merged	Restructured	Vigorous
Composite	Mingled	Revamped	Virile
Converted	Modeled	Revised	Vitalized
Customized	Modelled	Reworked
Edited	Modified	Robust
Elaborated	Overhauled	Saved
Energized	Raised	Simplify
Grew	Recycled	Slashed
Integrated	Redesigned	Streamlined
Interlaced	Redeveloped	Strengthened
Interwoven	Refine	Sturdy

Words for Problem-Solving

Actual	Crafted	Intrigued	Rebuilt	Survey
Arranged	Debugged	Inventoried	Reconciled	Upgraded
Attested	Demonstrated	Kept-up	Reconstructed	Valid
Audited	Designed	Laid out	Recorded	Validated
Authenticated	Determined	Lessened	Rectified	Verified
Blueprinted	Diagnosed	Maintained	Refined	Worked out
Budgeted	Documented	Maneuvered	Regulated
Calculated	Drafted	Mapped (out)	Remodeled
Cared-for	Established	Operated	Schematized
Charted	Estimated	Patched	Schemed
Confirmed	Examination	Planned	Scrutiny
Conserved	Fixed	Programmed	Shaped
Contracted	Framed	Projected	Simplified
Converted	Hammered out	Promised	Standardized
Corrected	Inspection	Proven	Substantiated

Words for Use

Adopt	Elevate	Marshal	Organize	Restore
Advance	Employ	Marshall	Promote	Revive
Apply	Exert	Mobilize	Put to Use	Specialize in
Arrange	Handle	Operate	Raise	Summon
Deploy	Improve	Order	Rally	Upgrade

UC Activities List Tip #5: ABC. Always Be Closing.

One of the strange things to consider about the UC application process is how objectifying the process is. It’s a bit uncomfortable to think about; but, you’re an asset to the university.

As much as those in the education system would like to personalize the application process, it’s still at the end of the day about how much students can add value to the campus. You should therefore think of yourself as an asset or a “product” that you’re “selling” to the university.

In some ways, this makes the UC activities list a sale more than it is an inquiry.

The same process somewhat goes for college essays. Though, college essays can be more personalized.

Nonetheless, all sections including the essays and the UC activities list can be thought of as a sale to the admissions office. You’re trying to present yourself as an ideal candidate for the admissions office.

Once you start to think of yourself as such, you’ll have a much easier time cutting down unnecessary wordiness that is not vital to admissions officers. You’ll have an easier time writing content that actually gets to the crux of what admissions officers are trying to see to determine your candidacy as a student in the UC system.

UC Activities List Tip #6: Your Activities Say Something About Your Character.

Note that the UC activities list is a moment for you to demonstrate what your character is like.

Although the activities list is meant to show the admissions office what your achievements and strengths are, it’s the content of the writing that shows what your character is like.

For instance, some people may be open to talking about both victories and defeat from their startup projects. This demonstrates maturity, strength in perseverence, and humility.

Others may like to write about the collaborative efforts in leadership positions; but, they may emphasize their ability to get their team to work together rather than just what they’ve done as the leader alone. This shows an ability to work alongside other people despite differences and unique attributes which may lead to incongruencies.

Chances are, there’s a lot to deconstruct in your UC activities list items. Before you start writing, you should heavily consider thinking about the personality and character you’re presenting to the admissions office.

What does your leadership experience working in the Boy Scouts say about you? What can someone infer from someone who was in a robotics competition and decided to compromise their ability to earn a first place by taking on an unconventional and creative route? Is there something to admire from an applicant who has gone above and beyond the original job description in their side job?

These are all important elements that the admissions office is using to determine your fit in the UC campus; think not just about these character traits, but also how they come into play with the UC campus of your choice and their core beliefs!

UC Activities List Tip #7: If Your UC Activities List is Random and Unfocused… Do This.

Let’s be honest here.

Some students have not focused their extracurriculars, work experience, or volunteer work on an intended career path or major. For example, they may pursue leadership positions in clubs like fencing club, anime club, coding club, and save the trees club.

These are not entirely focused on one field. It’s random and unfocused.

Though, that’s okay!

Your UC activities list —and Common App activities list too— can include things outside your major. For example, you can major in computer science and still volunteer for an animal rescue club. You can be in medicine and still have an interest in art. Your passions and majors are not mutually exclusive.

Admissions officers understand this. They know students attend university because it’s a place of higher learning: that means they explore their interests.

Now, the next question you may be asking is this: will having extracurriculars related to my major be stronger than ones outside my major?

And the answer to that is, well, yes!

However, just because your extracurriculars may not be fully related to your major doesn’t mean that you’ll have that held against you. It’s just not as stunning as what a student may have if all their extracurriculars align with their field of study.

If you’re in a position where your extracurriculars don’t seem to have a sense of direction, or they don’t align with your major, you need to explain it in the main essays. Specifically, you’ll need to clarify your reasons for pursuing extracurriculars unrelated to your major.

For example, you can write about how you decided to pursue different clubs and activities before discovering your interest in business and management. It may have taken 3 years of experience serving as the president of the Anime club, the treasurer of FBLA, and the captain of the soccer team before you discovered your temperament aligned you with the world of business. This is a totally natural part of the academic experience; so, write that in your essay.

However, if you’re not quite sure how to write about your extracurriculars and its relationship with your major, we highly recommend speaking with us. Schedule a free consultation, and our expert college admissions advisors and consultants will help you brush up your UC PIQ essays and extracurricular lists to stand out!

Example UC Activities List Items That Worked.

We’ve listed a few examples of UC activities list items that worked below. You can use these as guidelines on how to write your own when filling out the UC application!

Example Award or Notable Honor.

CSUN (Cal State University, Northridge) Journalism Award – Opinion Writing. First Place. 2022.
Grade 11
I competed against “x” number of students in CSUN’s Opinion Writing Journalism competition and placed first. The competition required I write a strong 1 page article that provided a compelling and unique take on the restrictions on business operations due to the pandemic. I incorporated principles of public health, finance, and philosophy to create a unique stance and solution to the pandemic’s financial impact on the middle class. This demanded both worldly knowledge and sophisticated use of language to successfully persuade the judges —which also taught me much about cross-disciplinary approaches to communication.

Example Work Experience

Math Tutor at Kumon. 2021.
Grade 11-12
I coordinated and implemented a unique teaching strategy at Kumon to help students struggling with Math subjects learn Math faster whilst decreasing “load.” This means students were capable of performing at a higher level without integrating as much work and studying. As a result, my strategy tutoring students helped create a study system that minimized motivational friction whilst maximizing performance. On average, my students boosted their grades by one letter grade and increased their SAT Math scores by 250 within 3 weeks.

Example Hobby

Author at Webtoons. 2023
Grade 11-12
I designed and published my own digital webtoons on the Webtoon app and garnered a semi-large following of 5,000 readers. Creating webtoons on schedule demanded much coordination and proper planning. I also needed to consistently create new panels, draft compositions in perspective, and experiment with dialogue options. Growing such a following also required I publish my content according to self-imposed deadlines at a constant rate whilst noticing little to no growth for the first 6 months. This experience helped me understand how to wear many hats, learn how to delegate responsibilities to others, and plan ahead accordingly for future projections.

Example Sport

Soccer Team Captain. 2021
Grade 11-12
I served as my school’s Soccer team captain for two years. This position required not only high performance in the field; but, I also learned how to use my leadership and conflict-resolution skills, how to develop rapport with others with varying personality and temperamental differences, and how to work together as a team to achieve a common goal. I also led the conditioning sessions after school; and, since many responsibilities were delegated to me due to my coach’s recent emergencies, I learned how to take on the leadership position from a managerial perspective.

Example Business or Passion Project

Search Engine Marketing Business 2021.
Grade 10-12
I blueprinted and launched Enterpriser, a Search Engine Marketing business that uses SEO blogging to generate clients. I therefore obtain all of my clients through organic traffic, and each client generates $800.00 a month. This provides me with a decent cash flow; and, I’ve conceptualized how to scale the operations to a level that may help the business grow into something much greater and produce jobs for others looking for careers in the world of online marketing. I learned not only about search engine algorithms and copywriting from this, but also accounting, investing, management, and consulting principles that may carry on into my later business career opportunities.

UC Activities List Frequently Asked Questions.

Can I Put Hobbies in my UC Activities List?

Yup! You can put hobbies into your UC activities list.

In fact, we find that most students underreport the activities they can list in their application. Students often have intriguing and compelling hobbies that add a level of depth to their application others don’t have.

Here are a few hobbies students can write about in their UC activities list as examples.

Cooking.
3D Modeling.
Car Maintenance.
Part-Time Jobs.
Fanfiction Writing/ Personal Writing.
Therapy.
YouTube or Social Media Accounts.
Video Games.

You are not limited to the items in the list above. Often, any hobby with clear levels of time and dedication put into it would be worthy of writing about.

Sometimes, it’s not easy to quantify the level of work done in an activity. If that’s the case, you can consider writing about it in the application essays themselves. Of course, some people believe that their essays can’t cover unconventional topics.

If you happen to have an unusual topic you’re thinking of writing about in the UC Activities list or even an unusual hobby you want to write about in the PIQs in general, feel free to take a look at our articles about death, being Asian, video games, and K-Pop.

Does the Order I put my UC Activities List in Matter?

Students often overthink it; but, organizing your UC activities list is actually easier than you think!

To put it briefly, the order of your UC activities list matters a lot. However, once you’ve got activity #4-5 ordered from most important to least, anything after that can be ordered in whatsoever order you wish.

The thing to consider is that your first few activities are going to be the most important. Sure, you want the first activity to be the most important and impressive; then, the last being the least. But, after the first few items on your list, the order will not matter too much.

Do I Need to Fill Out All 20 Spaces in the UC Activities List to Have a Chance at Getting Accepted?

Nope!

You don’t to fill out all 20 spaces in the UC activities list. Even if you have fewer than 20 activities, you can still get accepted into a UC school.

Realistically, the number of extracurriculars you have is not going to matter as much as the quality of them. If admissions officers had to choose between a student with few extracurriculars that are hard to attain, or a student with a lot of easily attainable extracurriculars, they would choose the former.

This isn’t to say that having a lot of easy extracurriculars is bad.

Everyone’s academic journey is unique. So, it’s okay to have pursued both easy and hard challenges in your life.

If, however, you don’t know whether to add something into your UC application or are struggling to order it properly, you may want to consider speaking with our expert college admissions consultants and advisors. Here at PenningPapers, we can help you organize and add details to your UC activities list that will make it stand out amongst the rest of the application pool.

Does the University of California Check to See if Extracurricular Activities are Legit?

Yup!

Well, sort of. The University of California schools check to see if extracurricular activities you put are legit by randomly selecting accepted students for an audit.

If, after getting accepted, you are selected for an audit, you may be asked to send information such as photos, official signed papers from teachers, medical documents, etc.

This begs the question: if only some students have their applications audited, is it still worth it to lie in the University of California extracurricular activities section?

In our opinion, we don’t think it’s worth it to lie. Aside from academic dishonesty, you risk the chance of having your profile flagged in future admissions decisions.

If you have any other questions about how to write the UC activities list, feel free to ask us by scheduling a free consultation and we’ll respond within 24 hours. Our college admissions advisors and consultants have helped students write powerful essays and ECs that increased their acceptance rate, and thus helped them get accepted into some of the best schools in the nation including NYU, U Penn, Dartmouth, Cornell, Vanderbilt, UCLA, USC, and UCB.

7 Tips on How to Write the UC Activities List