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The Harvard Common App. supplement says that many students submit additional essays, and it gives a few options for what one can write about, but it doesn't specifically encourage it.

Of course, for all colleges, many applicants submit an EC "résumé."

I would hate to be "that kid who sent a second essay," but I did write something that I feel is apt and does help convey more about me. Anybody else have a similar problem or solution?

With a school like Harvard, receiving 22,000 EC résumés is a lot, and I've heard conflicting reports about whether or not to send one. My problem, though, is that I don't want to send a résumé, but a short (~500 words) explanation of my ECs, because I can't honestly group them by name, put them into the Common App. spaces, and feel that it is an accurate description of what I do outside of school.

By Ambitiousyokel (Ambitiousyokel) on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 06:48 pm: Edit

I sent in an additional essay to flesh out a part of me (the spiritual side) which didn't translate into the little blanks in the Common App. If I were you, I'd go for it. I think they're looking to get a good picture of who the applicants are as people, and if your third essay helps, I think it's advantageous. Just don't write 10,000 words.

By Darkblade2487 (Darkblade2487) on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 11:32 pm: Edit

Hm, I have the same problem. He doesn't mean an essay, really, but a place to write your ECs where there's actually more than room for only five words. Would this help?

By Willywonka (Willywonka) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 12:17 am: Edit

Darkblade, you're correct, but I did mean both things. An extra essay and an EC "explanation." I would hope it would help, as there's no real way to fill out my ECs without it being entirely confusing.

By Jarahul106 (Jarahul106) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 12:26 am: Edit

Can you send in additional material, besides essays? I ask because I've got a pretty keen interest in film, so I'm wondering if i should send a couple of my movies on a DVD

By Darkblade2487 (Darkblade2487) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 02:15 am: Edit

Yeah they let you do that. The thing I'm concerned about is submitting a resume...I heard they dislike them.

By Willywonka (Willywonka) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 02:48 am: Edit

Darkblade, I obviously can't speak for them, but for flat-out resumes, I wouldn't think they'd like them either. There are enough spots on the Common App. to list things that you did with a passion throughout high school. Like everyone says, sending them a page-long laundry list of activities, clubs, etc., isn't going to do anything but drool pretense.

I've read what you typed about the subject, however, and you just want more space to explain things about your martial arts, and that's much different than sending a list that scrapes the bottom for every possible activity you've ever participated in. The "explanation" is also the dilemma I'm facing, but I don't see how I can rightly avoid sending it, considering that my EC section would be downright perplexing without it.

By Davidrune (Davidrune) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 03:26 am: Edit

Both "Rock Hard Apps" and "A is for Admission" recommend sending an activity sheet.

So, I think I will be sending one in. There isn't any space on the common app for all my Ecs and awards and positions that I have achieved. When I typed all the stuff up, it was about two pages.

By Gianievve (Gianievve) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 03:00 pm: Edit

Is it really pretentious to tell them what you've been doing (activities, awards, etc) if there honestly isn't enough space in the little boxes they provide? And what about international students - if they are involved in ECs that need further explanation (a sentence or two) like instead of Key Club, they might be in the RI Interact Club...surely you can't say they "hate" every additional piece they call a "resumé".?

Question: Can you ever win with the college application process??! If you just put together the barest minimum, it looks like you aren't interested/serious about applying to their school. If you put in the effort to type out a resumé and happen to be a kid who's done a lot - then, gosh, you must be a real stuck-up snob!

So what the heck are you supposed to do?
Sorry if I sound frustrated, it's just that...I AM!!

My advice to anyone: just be you, send a clear message of who you are - resume or not - and leave it at that. If they have a problem with it, then it's their problem! At least you tried.

By Moxiepoxiedeux (Moxiepoxiedeux) on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 03:48 pm: Edit

the common app has a page for extra information. for a few questions if you answer 'yes' you have to write about your answer on the extra page, but i'm guessing thats not the case for most people. so in your ec chart, put asteriks next to the activities you want to explain more, and format them nicely on that extra page.

By Oliviakang (Oliviakang) on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 08:17 pm: Edit

what about the booklist? it's not exactly as informative as some of the essays that they gave as options but I'm an avid reader and the books that I read do help show my interests/personality.... do they care?