The top schools like the Ivies ask for a resume.
Even though it’s optional, I feel obliged to upload one.
What should a resume for colleges look like? (ie. what should be on there? activities and awards?)
Your first assumption is incorrect. Indeed, colleges asked the Common App to disable the “resume upload” feature a few years back – because most schools operate fine without them.
If there’s a particular school that allows it, then and only then, should you submit one.
As for format, google “college application resume format”. The idea is to only give brief explanations to any of your activities or if you have a significant (i.e. very unusual) accomplishment, if you feel compelled to do so. Colleges really don’t need to hear about minutiae of your activities, to be frank.
I don’t really need to submit a resume, though, do I?
It would be nice to explain my activities more in-depth, but the activities section on the Common App cover them for the most part.
I could list some awards that don’t fit on the Common app, though.
You’re overestimating how much importance any college will place on any award beyond your first 3 or 4. You want to detail your 11th and more? Don’t do it. Colleges don’t care that you were “student of the month” or “History Essay 1st place, 10th grade”
For your awards (and activities), list them by order of importance to you. Colleges won’t look deep into that list – there’s really no reason to if you think about it from their perspective.
There is only space to list five awards, and it’s under the Education section in the Common App. They specify “honors related to your academic achievements.” But I have other awards/honors that are quite significant, but aren’t related to academics.