Common App activity examples · Robotics.

    Common App activities-section examples for robotics: team captain, founder, software lead, mentor. Each one is calibrated to the 50/100/150-char Common App field limits and the way admissions readers actually scan a list.

    Position / leadership

    Team Captain, FIRST Robotics Competition (Team 1234)

    national

    Organization

    FIRST Robotics, 40-person school team

    Description

    Led drive team to regional win and Worlds. Cut autonomous routine from 6.2 to 4.1 sec; mentored 12 freshmen on CAD and Java.

    Hrs / wk
    20
    Wks / yr
    36
    Grades
    10, 11, 12

    Why it works

    Position names the role and team. Description names a metric (6.2→4.1 sec), a team-size scope (12 freshmen), and a tier-defining outcome (regional win, Worlds qualification).

    Position / leadership

    Engineering Lead, VEX Robotics

    international

    Organization

    VEX Robotics World Championship, 7-person crew

    Description

    Designed and machined custom holonomic drive. Placed 8th of 600 teams at VEX Worlds. Documented build for next year's rookies.

    Hrs / wk
    15
    Wks / yr
    40
    Grades
    11, 12

    Why it works

    International tier earned via World Championship placement. The verb stack (designed, machined, placed, documented) shows technical depth and stewardship.

    Position / leadership

    Founder, Elementary Robotics Outreach

    regional

    Organization

    Self-organized after-school program, two title-I schools

    Description

    Started LEGO Robotics club at two Title I elementary schools. Raised $4,800 for kits; taught 60 students; placed 2 teams in regionals.

    Hrs / wk
    6
    Wks / yr
    32
    Grades
    10, 11, 12

    Why it works

    Founder titles require evidence; this one shows fundraising ($4,800), reach (60 students, 2 schools), and outcome (2 teams to regionals).

    Position / leadership

    Software Lead, FIRST Tech Challenge

    national

    Organization

    School FTC team, 12 members

    Description

    Wrote computer-vision pipeline for game-piece detection in Kotlin/OpenCV. Open-sourced on GitHub (200+ stars).

    Hrs / wk
    10
    Wks / yr
    30
    Grades
    10, 11, 12

    Why it works

    Specific stack (Kotlin, OpenCV), specific output (vision pipeline), validation signal (GitHub stars). Reader can verify in 30 seconds.

    Position / leadership

    Lead Instructor, Robotics Summer Camp

    regional

    Organization

    Local Boys & Girls Club, 4-week program

    Description

    Designed 4-week curriculum on Arduino + sensors for 30 middle schoolers. Returned year 2; promoted to lead from assistant.

    Hrs / wk
    25
    Wks / yr
    4
    Grades
    11, 12

    Why it works

    Promotion (assistant → lead) is the most readable signal of growth in a teaching context. Curriculum design quantifies the work behind the title.

    Position / leadership

    Mentor, FIRST LEGO League

    state

    Organization

    Local middle school team, 8 students

    Description

    Mentored team to state finals in second year mentoring. Translated FLL coaching guide into Spanish for new immigrant families.

    Hrs / wk
    5
    Wks / yr
    26
    Grades
    11, 12

    Why it works

    Two distinct contributions in one line (coaching outcome AND community translation work). State finals = state tier.

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