Describe Your Activities Since Last Enrolled: A Comprehensive Guide for College Applicants

Applying to college after a break from school can feel daunting, especially when it comes to detailing your activities and growth since your last enrollment. This section of the application provides a window into your personal development and a chance to demonstrate your resilience and readiness to pursue higher education. To craft a compelling description, consider the elements outlined below.

Introduction

Begin by providing a brief overview of your year away from school. Highlight the key themes or overarching insights that you've developed. For example, you might touch on whether you focused on skill-building, personal development, or significant life changes.

Main Activities

Work Experience

Detail any jobs or part-time positions you held. Focus on the specific responsibilities you had, the skills you developed, and any notable achievements or promotions. For instance, if you worked as a barista, highlight the customer service skills you gained and how you learned to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Include any challenges you overcame and how they contributed to your professional growth.

Volunteering

Mention any volunteer work you participated in, specifying the organizations you worked with, the nature of your involvement, and what you learned from the experience. Discuss how the experience impacted you personally and professionally. Consider a volunteer role in an animal shelter, where you could discuss your deepened compassion for animals and how it strengthened your organizational skills.

Courses or Certifications

Include any online courses, workshops, or certifications you pursued, such as coding, graphic design, or a foreign language. Explain how these relate to your academic or career goals. If you took a course in graphic design, for example, mention how the skills you learned in software like Adobe Photoshop have fueled your passion for visual arts and how you plan to apply those skills in your future studies.

Hobbies and Interests

Talk about any hobbies or personal projects you pursued, such as writing, art, sports, or music. Discuss how these activities contributed to your personal development. For example, if you pursued a photography hobby, you could mention how it taught you to observe the world more closely and how you plan to incorporate this skill into your academic and creative pursuits.

Travel or Cultural Experiences

Describe any travel or cultural experiences you had, including what you learned and how they broadened your perspective. Discuss how these experiences influenced your worldview and personal values. If you traveled to a foreign country, discuss the linguistic and cultural insights you gained that you can apply in your future academic and professional endeavors.

Family Responsibilities

Explain how you took on significant family responsibilities, such as caring for siblings or aging relatives. Highlight the valuable life skills you learned, such as communication, problem-solving, and empathy. For instance, if you cared for an aging relative, discuss how it taught you the importance of patience and the value of family support.

Conclusion

Reflect on how these experiences have prepared you for your return to education and your future goals. Discuss the personal growth and insights you gained and how they have shaped your academic and career aspirations. Relate these experiences to your future plans, highlighting the skills and perspectives you have acquired that will make you a strong and well-rounded candidate for college.

Example Response

In the year since my last attendance, I engaged in a number of enriching activities that have significantly shaped my personal and academic growth. I took a part-time job as a barista at a local café, where I honed my customer service and teamwork skills in a fast-paced environment. I also volunteered at a local animal shelter, giving me deepened compassion for animals and strengthening my organizational skills.

Additionally, I completed several online courses in graphic design, which fueled my passion for visual arts and provided practical software skills like Adobe Photoshop. I dedicated time to my own art portfolio, experimenting with different mediums and themes that will be incorporated into my future studies in art. Through these activities, I gained valuable skills and insights that I believe will contribute to my success as I return to my academic journey.