Do you need to allude to all your extracurriculars and academics in your essay?

<p>I've read a lot of sample college essays from ppl already at college who went to my school or just from CC. and also from the 50 essays book by harvard. I've realized that the majority of these essays have little allusions to things that will probably be in the student's resume. </p>

<p>Like "I, who was captain of the cheer team, had raised $5000 dollars for domestic violence victims in my community, researched genetics in a lab over the summer, and could speak 7 languages, was dumbfounded that this five year old kid in front of me knew more about life that I did".</p>

<p>haha I've seen something to that effect in a lot of essays. which is funny because I was under the impression that you shouldn't repeat anything on your resume unless you're elaborating on it, but so many essays have those random (seemingly forced and contrived) little allusions to the applicant's achievements and they were all successful in getting accepted to college. </p>

<p>so my question is why would you include a little line talking about all you've done when colleges will already see that info on your application? </p>

<p>and then, should you do something like this? </p>

<p>is it actually necessary?</p>

<p>i've seen a lot of successful applicant essays and i can think of maybe one that didn't do this but it was a uchicago contemplating on my other self kind of essay that was really deep and theoretical. every single other essay that i've read that relates an experience or significant influence or whatever has done something like this with a short little laundry list of accomplisments stuck in the essay.</p>

<p>thanks in advance for your help!</p>

<p>i actually think you shouldn't allude to your EC's, especially your academics. your essays are the opportunity to show something about yourself that isn't obvious from the ECs and academics that show on your transcript and app.</p>

<p>i take back my statement about not alluding to your EC's. you could very well do that. but it should not be a laundry list of them. you could, however, choose one that is particularly meaningful to you as a commitment and focus on that.</p>

<p>Some essay prompts give you an opportunity to elaborate on extra-curricular activities or honors. Other prompts, however, are supposed to reveal something different about you - something that cannot be viewed on paper.</p>

<p>If you choose to elaborate on one of your ECs, go for it! Make it interesting and a different side of you. But do not list every EC you've been involved in during your high school career, as that is already on your application!</p>

<p>Basically, stasis is right. :) No laundry lists!</p>

<p>If you re using the Common App, I would refrain from it.
There's a another topic for you to talk about your EC's :]</p>

<p>I never intentionally mention my ECs in my main essays. Somehow, they occasionally sneak in there. :) So I would say never purposely write an essay on ec's, unless, of course, it's required.</p>

<p>It really depends. FOr my essay, I'm writing about how this certain EC affected me.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Do you need to allude to all your extracurriculars and academics in your essay?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>No. </p>

<p>.</p>

<p>Depends on what you're doing. If you're doing this little "hint, hint" type thing, I would suggest against it. However, if it's an analysis of the tenets of your EC as the main topic of your essay, then you can.</p>