<p>I have an essay that I'd like to attach as additional information. However, I'd like to also attach my resume under that section. Is there anything I could do to send both documents through the Common App to my colleges of choice? Would I be able to put my resume and extra essay into a single .pdf document and submit the resulting compilation instead?</p>
<p>Most colleges advise against sending extra essays if they are not on the supplement list.</p>
<p>Unless the supplemental materials document some ultra-exceptional achievement, I would leave it out.</p>
<p>What do you put in the Common App Additional information area then?</p>
<p>You shouldn’t submit an extra essay that has not been asked for by the college.</p>
<p>Lots of things can go in the Additional Info section: test scores that don’t fit on the form, brief explanations of anything on the application, resume.</p>
<p>The extra essay I have expands on one of my more unique ventures during high school. Could that essay be considered as an explanation of one of the activities listed in the Common App?</p>
<p>Can you not write about the unique high school venture as part of the regular essay(s)? </p>
<p>If I were an admissions officer reviewing thousands of applications, I would not be impressed by a candidate who cannot follow basic instructions. But then again, I’m just a concerned parent.</p>
<p>I wrote about an internship I held at a research lab for the regular essay. I suppose you can say I have two things that I would like to voice about myself, but only one place to do it.</p>
<p>Is it alright to put an essay in the additional info section?</p>
<p>josh, does it have to be a full-fledged essay? Something to be said for “short-n-sweet”…</p>
<p>What do you mean by a full fledged essay? This essay is a about 600 words, which is 100 words longer than my regular Common App essay.</p>
<p>When I said:</p>
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<p>I did not mean anything even close to an essay. I’m talking about a sentence or two, to EXPLAIN something on your application, not an additional essay or extensive description of something.</p>
<p>It’s your application, but I think you’re shooting yourself in the foot to put an extra essay in the Additional Info section. That is not what it is meant for and you are likely to stick out a negative way–as an applicant who doesn’t follow directions and expects extra attention because they think they’re ‘special’. </p>
<p>How about writing about the research in the short EC essay and use the main essay for something else. I personally like to see the main CA essay address something about the candidate that is not an EC or accomplishment that shows up on their application.</p>
<p>If you want to add a 600-word unrequested essay, then the information you convey in there better be super-special.</p>
<p>^^ Entomom, would you advise against any EC resume on the additional info as well?</p>
<p>^^No, a resume is fine, this is what I said in an earlier post:</p>
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<p>Be wise, don’t just repeat everything you’ve put in the EC section, pick some high points that you want to emphasize.</p>
<p>I think you need to put yourself in the shoes of an adcom. They have a limited amount of time for each application and they want to give a fair reading to all candidates. They provide the space in the Additional Info section because they know it is sometimes difficult to explain things within the limits of a standard form. It only becomes a problem when a candidate takes advantage of this opportunity to try to bolster their application beyond what is asked for, and what other applicants who are playing by the rules will provide. </p>
<p>I don’t care what a 600 word essay is about, it does not belong in the Additional Info section.</p>