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Is it okay to have a two-page long resume? I've heard that our resumes should usually be about a page long (with exceptions), but I'm having a hard time trying to condense everything onto a page. (my margins are about 0.5 and font is 9). I've switched schools, so the different school "stuff" take a lot more space. Anyway, do you think admission officers lack the patience to turn too many pages?

By Zantedeschia (Zantedeschia) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 06:39 am: Edit

I don't know but I've been told that if you have less than ten years of work experience, your resume should fit on a page.

By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 08:34 am: Edit

I know several admits whose resumes were longer than a page. Just make sure the resume is extremely easy to read at a glance -- lots of bold, margins, indents, etc. Except for real standout school activities, try to highlight things you've done beyond your schools. Good luck.

By Blondelocke (Blondelocke) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 05:13 pm: Edit

Mine's 4 page-sides. S'ok. Just do it in a way that only you could.

By Ort30 (Ort30) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 07:32 pm: Edit

I've heard that when most people review resumes, they don't like to read more than two pages. Some people quickly glance through them. Call the admissions office and ask them.

By Mehere (Mehere) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 08:25 pm: Edit

i called. they said 3 - 4 pages is totally fine... but they stil want you to highlight your activities in the ec section of the app.. think about it, as long as it's not redundant, why won't they welcome more information about you?

By Studyguy346 (Studyguy346) on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 08:31 pm: Edit

Is a resume necessary? I thought they only look at the application?

By Keats (Keats) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 12:26 am: Edit

They will look at what you include, but what you include should be significant. Notice that there is a form (this year) for arts submissions, but if you submit anything (or things) they should be outstanding. As to the resume, Aparent is right, as I too know of admits who had resumes longer than one page, but as Ort30 suggests, it should be no longer than is necessary to convey what is important. At the info. session I sat in on, it was stated quite clearly that "You decide how to present yourself" which indicates that things are not absolutely rigid. If you are able to fit your significant items without a resume, it would be useless and distracting to submit one. Think of it as a supplement, to be used if needed and as needed. If you have major involvements that just don't fit on the app otherwise and aren't detailed in any essay, for instance, you might use a resume. If you have many important activities/awards/community service/leadership duties, or whatever, and they require elaboration that does not fit elsewhere on the app, you might use a resume. Conversely, if a resume is superfluous, why send one?