<p>So I’m a sophomore and looking at these (for example) “UPENN RESULTS 2018” or “MIT DECISIONS 2017” threads, people are writing so much as for their extracurriculars and activities that it is ridiculous.</p>
<p>Recently, I pulled up a copy of the Common App and it was merely a 5 page document where all you wrote was 1 line about each extracurricular. Then, all you have is 1-3~ essays (depending on the topic).</p>
<p>So, would I be under the right perspective if I think that that you don’t put ALOOTTTTT of information in the Common App as compared to the results threads, where people are writing whole autobiographies! </p>
<p>Is the common App really that concise or am I just mislead?</p>
<p>The Common App is really that concise . . . but it’s deceptively simple. Students can just list their EC, or they can list their EC with a description. But, the program doesn’t give you much space, so every word in that description counts, and sometimes it’s best to direct Admissions to a website for samples of your work when appropriate. For example, a student could write:</p>
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<p>That, however, is a rather boring, bland statement that doesn’t tell an Admissions Director much. The better way is to list the EC with descriptive phrases to let an admissions director know of your commitment and passion.</p>
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<p>Obviously the second way goes a lot further to getting you noticed and showing your unique qualities. FWIW: That’s actually the wording my son used three years ago for one of his EC’s with a link to his website. And I think that was one of the reasons he was accepted to 10 out of his 11 colleges.</p>
<p>As with writing essays, brevity is harder to pull off. The beauty of the common app is that you do not have repeat basic information about family, academics, extracurriculars, etc. The tricky part of the app is trying to convey your interests and accomplishments on a structured form, and of course the most time consuming part is the essay. Most selective schools have supplements with additional information/essays. Some of the supplements are pretty extensive. All in - it is a relatively time consuming process to complete and submit the applications. </p>
<p>And then there are the schools that allow one to provide a 1-2 page resume which reiterates key accomplishments, awards and involvement in ECs. This allows one to elaborate beyond the space allowed in the Common App. </p>
<p>Some colleges encourage submission of a resume while others will not even accept them.</p>
<p>^^ Actually, the Common App no longer allows students to upload documents, as too many students were uploading resumes, which many admissions offices felt were unnecessary and duplicative of the EC list. So, unless a college specifically asks for a resume, I wouldn’t send one. Sometimes “less is more” and you can get the same bang-for-the-buck by using descriptive phrases for the EC list.</p>
<p>You are correct that the Common App does not let you upload docs. In my son’s case, 5 out of the 6 colleges he applied to (admitted to all of them) welcomed a resume, sent separately to their admissions office.</p>
<p>You’re right that not many of those things eventually make it to the Common App, and many students have to pick and choose what they put in and prioritize. I opted to leave some of the tings out that were redundant of what some of my teachers and GC included in their recommendations. Since some schools allow you to write resumes, that may be useful in putting some extra info, but I would be wary of listing everything you ever did on there. Again selectivity can be important.</p>
<p>So yup, I was a little worried at first as well, because I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to show myself fully in that limited space, but sometimes it can also be a good thing, learning to write about yourself in a limited context. Also, essay writing (in particular supplements) and filling out biographical information can take a bit of time, so I wouldn’t say it is 100% pain free, but things have gotten easier with online applications</p>