A lot of colleges let you submit a resume in their writing supplement section on common app.
I applied ED to Penn and uploaded a resume in addition to a research abstract of original molecular biology research I conducted, and an elaboration of a unique extracurricular.
I put all that one on word document and uploading it.
Please let me know if that was a good idea, and whether I should change that for regular decision applications? I found out afterwards that on the penn admissions website, it says one may upload a research abstract in lieu of a resume.
What exactly did you do? I don’t think you can upload a resume in the “writing supplement” section of the Common App? I’m pretty sure for Penn you have to upload it through the portal, which you get after you submit your Common App. I uploaded all my supplements on there, and the resume would be considered a supplement and not a writing supplement. I think it’s a good idea to upload it, but I’m not sure how you did it. Can you clarify on exactly what you did? There is an additional information box which is a part of the Common App. Is that where you uploaded your document?
@SylvRst when submitting the writing supplement on common app, there is a section where it says you can upload a file as a resume. That is where I entered the document containing a resume, two research abstracts, and an explanation of a unique extracurricular, in that order. I did not upload anything onto the Penn portal.
Here is something I found on the Penn admissions website:
“Students are required to fill out the Activities section of the Common Application. If an activity needs to be explained in greater detail in order for the admissions committee to fully understand what it entails, an expanded explanation can be uploaded in the Penn Writing Supplement.”
@asapdan Okay I see what you did. I think it’s good that you submitted those things. I think they’ll definitely help your chances, though maybe not very significantly. I know lots of ED applicants to Penn who submitted resumes or other supplements. I think you should continue to do this if you think they would really help your application.
And btw you @ the wrong user
@asapdan I think you’re fine. That’s such a minor mistake, in fact, I wouldn’t say it’s a mistake at all. I’m sure they will still review everything. You might want to separate those files in the future, or take out the resume. Unless the resume REALLY adds strength to your application, it is kind of redundant.
This is from Penn’s website:
“Most students who are admitted to Penn do not submit supplemental materials. All of the information that we feel is crucial in making an admissions decision is contained within our required documents. There are some students for whom some additional information can be beneficial, but we recommend that you think very carefully before sending in supplementary material. If information is already included somewhere in your application, that information does not need to be submitted again in supplemental form. In many cases, too many extra documents can take away from the strengths of an application.”
I think sending in your resume probably wouldn’t hurt though. I sent in a music supplement even though my major has nothing to do with music. I think your research abstract would have more weight than your resume. But it doesn’t hurt to send it in.
@asapdan They wouldn’t stop reading just because the first page is redundant! They might not read too much into your resume but they will review everything you submit! Welcome
