<p>So my S2 has finally started working on his common app and knowing how busy seniors quickly get, we would like to be done soon which brings me to my question. Is it worth it to attach a resume to the common app or should he attach something else? Somebody else mentions that since all the EC activities and honors and employment and course load are already mentioned in the body of the app, maybe it is worth it to attach another essay. S2 wrote extensively for his HS newspaper so we are thinking to attach an article that he wrote. I searched on the Common App forum but could not find an answer. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>It all depends on the college. Some will welcome additional information; others will tell you they will throw out even one additional piece of paper. It is often helpful to include a one-page resume that may describe more in depth (a couple of sentences, not paragraphs) activities listed on the common app that may need more explanation. For example, a community service endeavor where the depth and breadth of the student’s experience over a period of time may look bland in the common app description, may benefit from more detail.</p>
<p>I would put something in the “additional information” section that they can’t get from the rest of the application. So, if the resume is just a summary of information that’s already there, then I wouldn’t use a resume. </p>
<p>Some people use this to explain something that looks odd in their application or to give detail on research they did.</p>
<p>I do think an article that he wrote for the paper might be an interesting addition to the application.</p>
<p>A resume should only be included if it truly has more information than the rest of the application. My younger son decided that his Common Application essays elaborated on his ECs better than a resume would. He did take any opportunities to send in optional essays (Tufts - for whom he wrote a creative alternative US History) or other material (Vassar - for whom he sent in a pair of origami earrings that he had made that were mentioned in an essay.) </p>
<p>My older son had sold himself as a computer nerd and had two extra recommendations from people he had worked with on programming projects. He also really didn’t need a resume.</p>
<p>I think a newspaper article (if it’s a good one) is an excellent addition. Do read carefully, there are a handful of schools who don’t want extra material. (Stanford is the only one I know of.)</p>
<p>I thought additional information was sort of mandatory on the common app. All the colleges that S is applying to would welcome resume but because of redundancy with the common app data, S thought that he should attach an article maybe with a cover note explaining that the school paper is his project that he singlehandedly edited for the past couple of years. I think it shows his leadership qualities much better than a dry resume.</p>
<p>I think we have a confusion of terms. You’re talking about putting something in the “additional information” spot on the common part (non-college-specific part) of the Common App.</p>
<p>The others are talking about things above and beyond what the app requires/allows, which are sent separately to each college you’re applying to.</p>
<p>Some schools our kids applied to asked for an activity resume so they attached those but none asked for an additional informational resume. One common theme at all of the info sessions we attended was to NOT add more than asked for to applications. If you need to add additional information about something there is a section on the common app for that but the ad comms have 1000’s of applications to review and adding more is not a good thing.</p>
<p>^^ Yes, I am talking about pasting something in the “additional info” box on the common app, not sending additional info to colleges. I do know to be careful about the latter but that is why we want to put the article in the former.</p>
<p>What is in the resume that isn’t on the app?</p>
<p>Basically nothing since all his accomplishments could fit in the EC desciption and honors. This includes his college level classes.</p>
<p>I would not add the resume then, it’s just redundant.</p>
<p>That is what I thought. Do we just paste the article in the space with a short explanatory paragraph or should he write more about his experience? He is expanding on a different EC for a short essay.</p>
<p>I would not attach an article either unless they specifically ask for one for a scholarship or something. Let his writing shine through his essay (which is hard in 500 words). I know it’s hard not putting everything down but again, if you read 1000’s of apps, you would appreciate clear and concise over more and more and more :D</p>
<p>Is it OK to leave the additional info blank?!</p>