Long resume vs. 1 page

<p>Absolutely agree - keep it to one page. I have been in the workforce for over 25 years and I can fit my resume on one page. I have written many articles and my resume says "Author of over 25 published articles on [my area of expertise] including [one or two very relevant examples]" In a full CV that could be 3 pages of citations. Summarize and simplify!!</p>

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By the way, the annotated resume serves two other purposes besides the application itself. One is to give rec writers to help them write effective recs. And two, to present to an interviewer.

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I don't think students should give resumes to their teachers with their rec requests. Inevitably, a paragraph of the letter (maybe more) gets dedicated to listing awards or activities that we can read about elsewhere.</p>

<p>I want rec letters to give me insight into what the student's like in the classroom. Tell me a story. Describe a project. Talk about how the student interacted with their lab group. Don't tell me what the student already did.</p>

<p>Dean J, regarding post #22...I totally agree that a rec should not regurgitate a listing of a student's activities and awards. I would hope not! I didn't truly get into soliciting effective recs. The activity resume is ONE piece my kids or clients have given to their rec writers to give a picture of their background outside the classroom. However, they wrote them very full cover letters highlighting their experiences with that teacher, recalling anecdotes, etc. and discussing points about themselves that they hoped to get across on their own part of the application and asked if the rec writer might speak about any of these. Subsequently, I have read the recs that were written and none recounted the resume itself but spoke to things and anecdotes and the student merely helped refresh their memory and highlighted things about him/herself to help the person do that effectively. The resume was just an added piece. The recs did not go down the list of ECs at all. Also, the resume was shared with the guidance counselor who also did not dredge up every activity but the resume is a helpful piece that summarizes the students' interests, activities, achievements. The cover letter to the rec writer got at the things you are bringing up...the anecdotes, highlights, traits, etc.</p>

<p>I didn't attach a separate resume with any of my applications, so I don't think it's necessary. If you do want to include a resume, I think it should be limited to one page. As far as I know (as a college student), resumes are always supposed to be a single page with normal font and margins. Go look up sample resumes online. I'm sure there are sites that can walk you through organizational tips.</p>

<p>The resumes used for jobs and internships are not the same type as an annotated activity list for college admissions. My kids have one page resumes they use for jobs and internships. Their activity/award list for college admissions was an entirely different sort of document.</p>

<p>Let me add that an annotated activity/award list is not necessary as corranged mentions. Kids get in who haven't composed such a document. It is really up to you how you want to present yourself. Kids also get in who have presented such documents.</p>

<p>timely - my son applied to performing arts programs and sometimes you just need more than one page. Most everybody I know who had children applying to specialized type programs, had resumes longer than 1 page. It didn't seem to hurt any of them! One warning though, if they are specific about wanting only 1 page then be sure it is only 1 page - we had a 1 page resume for those programs only wanting 1 page. I agree with comment on not giving resume to people writing recs....you want them to give a picture of your student as he comes across to the world.</p>

<p>Try to be succinct. The admissions officers have a lot to read. If there is something that you need to explain in greater detail that can be incorporated into one of your essays. Believe me, DD packed a lot of information into her essays.</p>

<p>DD applied to several schools last year ranging from local area honors university to most selective. For every interview she took a one page resume. Things that were very relevant were explained in an extra sentence. It allowed the interviewer to ask questions and DD was able to explain in more detail when asked. Interviewers took notes on the sheet.</p>