<p>I have been reading the posts about resumes and have some questions. My son sent out a 3 page resume with a hard copy app last week. It seems 3 pages is too long - will this be held against him? He wants to continue sending the resume and he doesn't want to shorten it. Do you think it is better not to send one at all?</p>
<p>There's a saying in admissions that has been posted on these boards (and that I've heard from admissions folks): The thicker the file, the thicker the student.</p>
<p>Admissions reps have thousands of applications to read. They don't have time to read a 3 page resume. My guess is that they'll do what most employers would do - scan the first page briefly and then move on.</p>
<p>I've been in the workforce for 25 years, working for several different employers in 2 different careers. My resume is 1 1/2 pages long (and that includes listing my education, consisting of undergrad and 2 graduate degrees). I find it hard to believe that a 17 year old requires a 3 page resume. How much of what is on it is repeated elsewhere in the application?</p>
<p>I believe it is better not to send a resume than to send one that's too long. No resume leaves no impression; too long a resume leaves a negative one.</p>
<p>I'm an architect with 25 years of experience. My resume is one page. That's what I was taught to do. I can't imagine that you son's resume wouldn't be improved by editing.</p>
<p>So your son is an all or nothing person? Three pages long vs. none? What is his reasoning?</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>Why even send a resume? My D has many honors and activies that won't fit into the common ap but she thinks it makes her look too scattered to include it all anyway. The space in the common ap seems perfectly sufficient to express her really meaningful stuff.</p>
<p>I just looked at reducing his resume. I will speak with him when he gets home. Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>I just completed a course on career resume writing. It might actually be easier (and more appropriate) for an architect with 25 years experience to do a one pager than a kid with lots of irons in the fire. But BEWARE - the risk with 3 pages is that they'll read over the first page, glance at the second, and ignore the third. So, plan accordingly!</p>