<p>As the resume is sent through Common App electronically, I doubt it gives them too much trouble. They received a fax I sent at peak admissions season and almost promptly informed me that it had been sorted into my admissions portfolio/folder.</p>
<p>I do agree with a earlier point that by making it optional, it shows which students are perhaps a bit more enthusiastic about the school. They would not bother to make a space for it on the application if they disliked seeing them in their inboxes - they also say that the optional essay won’t affect you adversely if you don’t complete it, but that disclaimer essentially just puts the less enthusiastic people at ease. In fact, if you don’t do it, it doesn’t affect you at all, while helping others who do it by giving them more depth (which essentially hurts you).</p>