<p>I know Stanford says that they highly discourage attaching additional materials on the app (arts supplements aside), is there any reason for this?</p>
<p>They don’t need more self-aggrandizing advertisement.</p>
<p>In nicer words, they have all the information they need.</p>
<p>But what about additional information on the Common App, like a list of leadership positions and awards that didn’t fit on the app itself? Or is it more physical items like listed in:
“Supplementary credentials are strongly discouraged (with exceptions noted in the application instructions document PDF and on this site). Applicants should never submit application materials in binders or folders and should not submit newspaper clippings, magazine articles, research abstracts, awards or certificates.”</p>
<p>I’m still confused as to whether they would dislike having uploaded versions of documents from publications, independent reserach projects etc. I know for example that Harvard and some other schools encourage you to add independent reserach projects by attaching them on the online app.</p>
<p>I once heard a former Stanford admissions brandish the statement, “the thicker the file, the thicker the kid.” I prefer the quotation from Hamlet, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” Perhaps they believe that the questions asked and space provided allow enough room for exceptional candidates to shine, without showering the overburdened admissions staff with additional materials.</p>