<p>I am SO confused after reviewing the Common App online. Why does it only allow us to list 10 AP tests? Is there somewhere that I should list more? I have taken/planning to take 13. Also, is there anywhere to report AICE scores? And what the heck is up with only 10 activities?? Do I put ALL my clubs, internships, summer activities, work experience, AND community service in this section??? What the heck? That's way more than 10 activities. This sucks because my ECs are one of the strongest points of my application. Confusion to the max. Is there a comprehensive guide to the common app anywhere?</p>
<p>Also, where do I attach an extra letter of rec?</p>
<p>You can invite teachers to write recs for the schools. Yes, that section encompasses all your activities. You will have to decide what is important. Another thing you can do, which is how I accomplished it, was by listing “larger themes” and explaining them. I had, for example: school music, non-school music, music awards, dance, volunteer, summer camps, academic activities, and school clubs.</p>
<p>Your HS guidance counselor and/or college counselor should be walking you through the Common App in the fall. What they will likely tell you is to focus on quality over quantity with ECs. If you have been a member of X Club for all four years, its president in your senior year, and its fundraiser of $5K, for example, that would be a higher priority activity than other clubs where you just ended up going and maybe having your picture taken for the yearbook. Universities are looking for depth. One of my oldest DDs was a rower. Rowing is a 24/7 sport. That was her principal activity. She got in USC, UCB, UCLA, etc. not on rowing, remarkably enough, but on her academics and test scores. My youngest DD’s focus was community service. </p>
<p>As for AP, I did not know it was possible to take 10 AP classes before senior year. News to me. Even so, you can resolve your crisis by listing them at the end of the CA where there is a place for you to provide additional information not included elsewhere in the application. You can fill it till the cows come home with activities, AP classes, etc., but as stated above, </p>
<p>Regarding recs, if your school uses Naviance, the letters will get posted through the school to the Common App. I don’t know if there are limits on how many you can post, but I do know that universities will have different standards of how many letters they will accept regardless of what you want to give them. DD3 had 3 letters and the 4th was her GC. The three were from two academic classes (she elected AP History and AP English, but if you are a math/science person, you may have to have at least one and maybe two of those), and she selected her private studio art teacher since she was applying to film schools for animation. In most cases that letter from the art teacher got posted through slideroom, not through the common app. It was a weird thing that may be changed in the future, as slideroom was new this last year. </p>
<p>I really think you need your GC’s advice about a strategy regarding what you are going to present in the Common App. Quality above quantity. I do think it’s great you’re drafting it now, however, and have your questions this early on. </p>
<p>You can use the additional information section. BUT, colleges are looking for a consistent, understandable picture of you (think of it as your “brand”). Just flooding them with ECs information and letters can hurt more than help. My kids chose to leave a few ECs off – things they just did in 9th or 9th/10th grade that did not contribute much to their application – no real accomplishments and not tied to any of their deeper interests.</p>
<p>Also, do NOT provide more recommendation letters than the college asks for. Admissions departments have thousands of applications to review. They ask for what they want, and if they don’t SAY it is okay to send additional letters, don’t do it. And only send extra letters that are truly relevant. Example: one of my kids was a top Quiz Bowl player AND her QB coach for four years was a U of Chicago grad. He wrote her a letter for JUST U of Chicago. It was a focused, relevant additional letter. She got in, too. But then she got in everyplace she applied. I am convinced that her approach of making sure her application was consistent (essays, ECs, recommendations all presented a similar picture). A strong application, and leaving out distracting elements.</p>
<p>Maybe a dumb question, but why are you completing the Common App now? It’ll get erased when it re-opens for 2014 admissions in August. At least I think so.</p>
<p>There are plenty of guides to filling the common app, you can google and find them I’m sure. It does get deleted and restarted after July for next years cycle. The additional information section can be used for a concise “resume” of ECs, additional awards or APs. </p>