Common App - Resume?

DS is filling out the common app and one school asks for a resume. Is this something that is common and is it required?The question says,“If you wish to submit your resume, upload…” I’m assuming that it isn’t a requirement, but I’m surprised that they would ask for a resume from a high school student.

You assume correctly, particularly is the resume adds nothing new to the application. I assume few applicants include a resume.

A few schools specifically say do not send us a resume. But most say you can send a resume in if you want to and they will look at it. Seems to be increasingly common these days.

I have no data, but my guess is that (at least for selective schools) more kids these days send a resume than don’t. My kid’s high school makes every kid do a resume fwiw.

My kid did up a resume and is sending it in with all the applications. The more flexible format of a resume (as compared to the structured and word limited Common App form) makes it easier for the kid to tell a story and provide some explanation and color commentary. Especially for student activities that aren’t completely self-explanatory (like varsity basketball team).

But keep it short if you do one.