<p>So, I've heard many people say that it's important to stress one focus in your app. I want to stress my 6-month trip to Thailand (along with my other community service activities)...how would I go about highlighting its importance other than listing it first on my "activities" list? I don't know if I want to devote an entire essay to it but I do want it to stand out. Should I elaborate on the 'additional info' section? Or should I attach a resume?</p>
<p>For the most part, extracurriculars should speak for themselves. But I guess there is a bit of ambiguity in trips, so you’re best bet would be to either attach a resume where you can elaborate or perhaps devote a short answer to it. I know you expressed reluctance in writing an essay on your trip, but if you think that the trip was really that positive, this would be the best way to highlight it.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, however, that the best extracurriculars are those that are built up over your 4 years in high school. This means that one-time summer activities, unless they are ultra-selective (think along the lines of TASP, Boys State, LBW), will really not add that much to your application.</p>
<p>Hmm… thanks. I see what you’re saying with the one-time activities vs. building it up over 4 years. My other ECs are all mainly community-service related and I’ve definitely made an effort to make that obvious. However, I want them to know that my “one-time” trip to Thailand was sort of like the culmination of my 4 years’ efforts volunteering in my community and finally being able to reach out globally. Also, this 6-month trip was made during my gap year which I also want to stress in my application somewhere - that I learned lots more by taking a year off (and not only while I was on the trip). The reason I don’t want to write my essay on the trip is because I don’t want to come across as “Hey, look! I took a year off and went to Thailand!!” Maybe that’s what I NEED to do, but the idea that all my memories of the trip is going to end up as a one-page essay for the sole purpose of my college acceptance is not what I want. </p>
<p>Also, how do they look upon resumes? are they indifferent towards them or do they en/discourage them?</p>
<p>Don’t include anything other than EC on your app. That should definitely emphasize it.</p>
<p>^lol</p>
<p>Remember that you are going to have to write multiple essays and short answers for all the schools you are applying to. There should definitely be opportunities for you to weave your experiences into your application.</p>
<p>Why not use the “Elaborate on an activity” question?</p>
<p>do most people settle with the one line given for details and accomplishments or do most people attach resumes? I want to elaborate but I don’t want to go on and on either</p>
<p>Attaching a resume is something that colleges will advise you to do only if you feel that the breadth of your ECs hasn’t been communicated by the Common App itself. In your case, I think that the resume would be a great idea. </p>
<p>But as with all resumes, remember to keep the bombast and exaggeration to a minimum.</p>