Not sure how many activities to include or how to describe them in your college apps? Our Moon Prep counselors break it all down:

✅ How many can you list?

• Common App: Up to 10 activities (150 characters each)
• Coalition/Scoir: Up to 8 (253 characters each)
• UC Application: Up to 20 (includes honors/awards, 350 characters each)

✅ What counts as an activity?

• Clubs, volunteering, shadowing, research, work experience, hobbies, family responsibilities — basically anything meaningful you’ve done outside the classroom.

📌 Order of activities?

• Mix importance + time commitment. It’s personal — do what tells your story best.

⚠️ Can you lie? Nope. It’s not worth the risk. Be honest and realistic with your hours and experiences.

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About us: Moon Prep is the leader in Direct Medical Programs, BS/MD, and Medical School Admissions. Our team works one-on-one with students to guide them to acceptance.

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Not sure what major to choose? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to make the right decision.

Start With What You Like

Think about which classes you enjoy (and which ones you don’t). It’s a great way to narrow things down.

Top-Down Approach

Start by asking: What are your career goals? Then pick a major that aligns with where you want to go.

Do Your Research

Talk to professors, alumni, and professionals or shadow someone in your field

Can You Go in Undecided?

Yes! Around 1 in 5 freshmen at UC Irvine enter as Undecided.

But beware: Some competitive majors like CS or Bio can be hard to switch into later.

Do Majors Affect College Admissions?

At some schools—not really. Admissions may look at your broader college (like Engineering or Arts & Sciences), not your specific major. Don’t pick a “random” major just to get in—your application needs to back it up!

Final Tip: Think long-term. Choose something that fits your interests and future career path.

Struggling to start your college personal statement? You’re not alone—and in this video, we break down everything you need to know to write a strong, authentic 650-word essay that stands out on your Common App. This personal statement goes to almost every school on your list, so getting it right is essential!

What we cover:

• What IS the personal statement?
• Do prompts matter? (Short answer: not really)
• Brainstorming strategies that work
• Topics to avoid or be cautious with
• Writing tips for your first draft
• The biggest mistakes we see every year
• Should you use ChatGPT?
• Final advice and encouragement

Top tips:

1. Write to your strengths, not to a specific prompt
2. Brainstorm with lists: things about you, quirks, or meaningful objects
3. Don’t over-edit or chase someone else’s success story
4. Stay authentic: your voice matters more than big words or dramatic topics
5. Plan your supplemental essays too so you're not repeating content

About us: Moon Prep is the leader in Direct Medical Programs, BS/MD, and Medical School Admissions. Our team works one-on-one with students to guide them to acceptance.