<p>Hey, I have a question. I'm going to be applying this year to schools that use the Common App, and I'm not sure what I should do about some of my ECs. Some of them -- being a governor's page, the co-vice-president of a mostly-for-show club, etc. could possibly be described as awards. Also, the EC section of the application only allows you to list 7 ECs, and it seems as if they don't want you to attach extra paper ("principal" activities only). At the same time, I feel funny about writing off some of my activities as just awards/honors. Which of the following two choices looks better to you?</p>
<p>A.
ECs
Governor’s Page
Gay-Straight Alliance Co-Pres
Youth Performing Arts Conservatory
Spanish Club Pres
Arts Center Summer Camp Counselor<br>
Photography (featured in local paper's photo section)
Orange County Teen Court Attorney<br>
Duke TIP Summer Studies: Law and Political Speech
Assistant Counselor at NCMLS Summer Camp
Duke TIP Scholar Weekends: Criminal Trial Advocacy
Society of Women Scholars Co-Vice</p>
<p>Awards
Spanish National Honors Society, AP Scholar, National Merit (Semi-)Finalist, Mayor’s Award (for community service), Project CA.F.E. Award (Calling All Future Educators, Language), Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference Delegate</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>B.
ECs
Gay-Straight Alliance Co-Pres
Youth Performing Arts Conservatory
Spanish Club Pres
Science, Arts Summer Camp Counselor
Photography (featured in local paper's photo section)
Orange County Teen Court Attorney<br>
Duke TIP Summer Studies and Scholar Weekends</p>
<p>Awards
Governor's Page (11), Project CA.F.E. Award (Calling All Future Educators, Language), Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference Delegate, Society of Women Scholars (Co-vice president, 11), Spanish National Honors Society, AP Scholar, National Merit (Semi-)Finalist, Mayor’s Award (for community service)</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>
[quote]
and it seems as if they don't want you to attach extra paper ("principal" activities only).
[/quote]
. </p>
<p>No they don't want you submitting extra sheets or resume IN LIEU of filling the Common App EC section. Meaning you're allowed to attach a resume to explain or highlight your ECs and achievements as long as you fill out the Common App too. Honestly, looking at choices A and B, I think colleges will realize that some of your extracurriculars may also count as awards. It's kinda like being named concertmaster or captain of an orchestra/team organization and having to carry out those roles. I probably would go with option A mainly because being a governor's page/vice president is more of an EC but you should present your app in whatever way you want the adcoms to see you best.</p>
<p>sorry to take over, but a question: do colleges prefer not to receive such a resume, or is it a neutral thing, or is it a good thing?</p>
<p>Some schools like Stanford will specifically say that they don't want a resume. Therefore, sending one will be a bad thing. Not sending one is perfectly fine; some applicants are more concise in their apps while others would like to expound more on their ECs/awards.</p>
<p>Your summer programs and summer job go in different sections than your ECs. You should have enough space without a supplemental resume. Resumes, IMO, should be reserved for applicants who can't sufficiently explain the type or depth of their activities in a standard section of the application. This would be a very small percentage of high school students.</p>
<p>Midwesterner -- "Your summer programs and summer job go in different sections than your ECs"
Nuh-uh. :) The Common App EC section is titled EXTRACURRICULAR, PERSONAL, AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING SUMMER).
You're probably right about resumes, though.
Physics, thanks -- I had no idea some schools actually said NOT to attach one. Good to know! Also, I like the way you phrased this: "you should present your app in whatever way you want the adcoms to see you best." Now I just need to figure it out myself instead of asking you guys to do my dirty work. :)
Thanks you two!</p>
<p>KWolfenden, I was referring to the section on page 2 of the common app under the header, "List all other secondary schools, including summer schools as well as summer or other programs......."</p>
<p>Then, on page 4, there is a whole section entitled, "Work Experience."</p>
<p>What you have cited, "EXTRACURRICULAR, PERSONAL, AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING SUMMER)," is for the additional ECs. I suppose one could list jobs and summer classes twice, but it hardly seems necessary. In fact, it looks like the reader did not follow the directions.</p>
<p>OH, I see what you mean! Thanks so much.</p>