The Role of A Resume in the Admission Process
I recently received a note from a parent asking about the appropriateness of attaching a resume to the student’s application for admission. It’s a good question and one I’d like to explore briefly in today’s posting.
Composing a resume can be a really good reflective exercise for a young person, especially early in the process–end of the Junior Year–when doing so helps her get her arms around the sum of her accomplishments. Identifying and giving priority to these accomplishments allows her to develop a broader sense of the “big picture” as it relates to how she might be regarded by those with whom she comes into contact. Long before applications for admission need to be submitted, the resume can help give focus to thoughts about essay topics while serving as a useful “leave behind” document for any interview opportunities that might develop.
It also makes sense to have a resume ready to hand to the people who will write letters on the student’s behalf. While the resume should not take the place of a face-to-face conversation between the student and recommender about the pending application process, it can serve as a point of reference for teachers and counselors as they begin drafting letters.
On the other hand, the resume as an attachment to an application for admission is a far different matter. In fact, you will find mixed (and strong) reaction from admission officers regarding the attachment of resumes to applications. While some may welcome the additional information, others are actually interested in seeing how students give priority to their involvements in the rather limited space on the application form itself. If there is any question in your mind about how a resume might be received by a college, it can’t hurt to ask the admission representative with whom you have had contact for an opinion.
Should you decide to attach a resume to your application, keep in mind that “more is rarely better.” Concise wins the day. Admission officers are deluged with applications that typically include 16-18 pages of information. Quite frankly, they don’t have time to go through everything carefully. That’s why many regard the resume as redundant and will dismiss it categorically. Focus on accomplishments that reflect growth and have emerged from long-term involvements. And don’t worry about including information that will otherwise appear on your academic transcript.
If you truly believe you have enough substantive material to take up 2-3 pages of a resume, then talk with your counselor and/or one of your teachers about how to condense that information in order to convey the core messages that reflect who you are. As you do so, consider the possibility that much of what you might want to report on a resume is more important to you (or your family) than it will be to colleges.
In general, keep in mind that you have a very short amount of time in which to make an impression with your application. Substance, not volume, will make that impression.
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