My son completed the common app and already sent it to some colleges. It seemed too simplified to me and there was nowhere that we could see to really discuss accomplishments with extracurricular activities. Should he now send a resume to the schools or just leave it as is?
I would leave as is for now. Rule of thumb is to only give them what they ask for and no more. Have you heard the saying, “The thicker the file, the thicker the applicant?” Meaning, you put everything you want to tell them in the application itself. They have to read so much, they don’t want materials they didn’t ask for. Some of the colleges let you upload a resume in the supplement section, but only a few. Accomplishments and ECs should be spelled out in the 5 Honors/Awards section and in the 10 slots (in order of importance to you) for ECs. In that area, you are supposed to identify any leadership positions held and any awards. A couple colleges request or allow you to update your app thru a portal (MIT) but they are few and far between. At the time of your interviews, you can probably bring a resume.
There are regions of the country where high schools encourage this (I think, really, because their flagship publics want or like a resume.) In realty the admit reading is brief. Any unneeded extra info just bites into the time spent on more important parts. And any ECs vital to the admit decision can go in the Activities section.
The exception is- maybe- something that does need to be explained or elaborated on can be a few lines in Additional Info. A few lines.
The only updates should be very important to the review- kid won Intel or got some nifty award, etc. Gotta realize adcoms have seen almost anything a kid can throw at them. They know band takes lots of time, that the literary magazine is an extra publication, and more.
thank you. He already submitted the apps and did not put the info anywhere so I think he def should schedule interviews. ugh. i feel bad we didn’t include it.