<p>As I was listing off my activities in the "Activities" section of the Common App, I noticed how little space they give you to elaborate on exactly what you did/ achieved in that activity. For instance, for "Piano", I have been the Lead Pianist for the Portland Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Lead Pianist for the Portland Symphony Wind Ensemble. I have played multiple solo concerts, where the only performer is me, and I get paid for it as well. I also attend lessons regularly, and I am the recipient of the Martha Blood Scholarship.</p>
<p>There's no way I can fit that in the space that the Common App gives me. So should I write a resume in addition to filling out the "Activities" section? If so, should I repeat everything I wrote in the "Activities" section in my resume? Should I just use my "Activities" section highlight certain achievements, while I use my resume to extensively list off every achievement? I heard that writing a resume is detrimental at times, because it gives application readers more things to read. Is this true? Or does that only apply to certain colleges?</p>
<p>Also, how do I write a resume in general? Do I just list off my activities and bulletpoint my achievements?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any help that is provided. I need to know the answers to these questions soon, for my deadlines are coming up.</p>
<p>Writing and updating a resume is extremely helpful if you will be completing other applications, either for college admissions or scholarships. It centralizes your achievements and helps you remember them. When you ask teachers for recommendations, give them your resume. It will help provide them with information about you that they may not know that will help them create a more rounded, personal letter. However, admissions officers are generally more interested in what you consider to be your most important achievements, and why. So yes, it is a great idea to make a resume, but don’t include it unless expressly asked.</p>
<p>Since the resume is mostly for you, you can make it in most any format you want. There’s no standard format, but I had five sections. There was a header with my name, address, phone, etc. Then an outline as follows:</p>
<p>Section 1: academic information (high school, gpa, rank, honor societies, etc.)
Section 2: Extracurriculars
Section 3: Awards and Honors
Section 4: Community Service
Section 5: Interests</p>
<p>In each section, list the activity, any offices held, the years of involvement, and bullet-point a few achievements. For community service, also list the total hours of service. For extracurriculars, list the hours/week of involvement. This was the format my high school counselor directed us to use. There are many different variations, especially for students being recruited for athletics. If you held a paying job in high school, be sure to list that as well.</p>
<p>Also, how do I get my resume to the colleges I’m applying to? If I’m supposed to mail it, do I include a letter that says to consider my resume along with my Common App?</p>
<p>Okay, so I shouldn’t write a resume unless the college explicitly asks for it? I’m applying to a great deal of ivy’s…if that makes any difference.</p>
<p>The common app system allows for extra, misc. attachments. For schools that don’t use the common app, you will probably have to mail it. Be sure they accept supplemental materials; many don’t.</p>