Can You Turn Your Common App Activities Into a Resume? (Spoiler Alert: It’s Complicated)
Remember that awkward moment when you’re trying to explain your passion for competitive yodeling to a college admissions officer? Yeah, that’s where the “Activities” section of the Common App comes in handy. You get to unleash your inner bragging rights (in a polite way, of course), but sometimes, 500 characters just aren’t enough to showcase your epic yodeling skills. Enter the resume – the knight in shining armor (or, perhaps, more like a well-organized spreadsheet) that lets you dive deeper into your extracurricular exploits.
So, can you turn your Common App activities into a resume? Technically, yes. But before you start throwing together a Frankensteinian document with random bullet points from your “Activities” section, let’s talk about the delicate dance between these two essential college application components.
The Common App: Your Extracurricular Showcase
Think of the Common App “Activities” section as your curated Instagram feed – a carefully selected collection of your most impressive moments. You’re not going to post a picture of your messy kitchen sink, right? (Unless, of course, you’re an aspiring chef… then, by all means, go wild!)
The Common App wants to know about your passions, your leadership, your commitment, and your ability to contribute to a community. It’s a chance to highlight your participation in clubs, sports, volunteer work, and any other activities that paint a picture of your personality and potential.
But there’s a catch: You’re limited to 10 activities, and each one has a character limit. So, you have to be strategic. Choose activities that illustrate your strengths and demonstrate your growth. Don’t just list your involvement; tell a story. Show your impact. For example, instead of saying, “Volunteer at the local soup kitchen,” you could say, “Organized a food drive that collected over 200 pounds of food for the local soup kitchen.”
The Resume: Your Detailed Skillset
Now, let’s talk about the resume. This bad boy is your professional portfolio, showcasing your experience and accomplishments in a structured, concise, and keyword-rich format. It’s your chance to go into detail about your extracurricular activities, highlighting your skills, responsibilities, and achievements.
Think of it as the behind-the-scenes look at your Common App “Activities” section.
For example, if your Common App entry for “Student Government” says, “Treasurer for student government,” your resume could elaborate with:
- Treasurer, Student Government
- Managed a budget of $50,000 for student activities.
- Developed and implemented a financial plan that resulted in a 10% increase in student engagement.
- Presented a financial report to the student body, outlining the organization’s financial health and future goals.
See the difference? The resume gives you the space to showcase your specific skills and accomplishments, providing more context and depth.
The “To Resume or Not to Resume” Dilemma
Here’s the million-dollar question: Should you submit a resume alongside your Common App? The answer, like most things in life, is: “It depends.”
Here are some factors to consider:
- Does the college require a resume? Some colleges might explicitly request a resume as part of the application process. Check the application instructions carefully.
- Do you have a lot of extracurricular activities? If you have a jam-packed “Activities” section on your Common App, a resume might be helpful to provide more detailed information.
- Do you have unique accomplishments or skills that don’t fit neatly within the Common App format? If you’ve achieved something truly extraordinary, a resume can be a great way to highlight your accomplishments.
- Are you applying for a specific program or scholarship? Some programs or scholarships may require a resume.
The Art of the Resume for College Applications
If you decide to submit a resume, remember: It’s not your typical job-seeking resume. It’s a college application resume, so focus on your extracurricular activities and how they demonstrate your skills, passions, and potential.
Here are some key tips:
- Keep it concise and focused. A college application resume should be one page long, unless you have an exceptional amount of experience.
- Use clear and concise language. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms that admissions officers might not understand.
- Highlight your skills and accomplishments. Use action verbs and quantifiable results to demonstrate your impact.
- Tailor your resume to each college. Highlight the activities and skills that are most relevant to the specific college you’re applying to.
- Proofread carefully. A resume with typos or grammatical errors can make a bad impression.
The Bottom Line: Make Your Story Shine
Ultimately, whether you choose to submit a resume or not, your goal is to create a compelling narrative that showcases your unique talents, passions, and potential. The Common App “Activities” section and your resume are just two tools in your arsenal. Use them strategically to paint a picture of who you are and what you bring to the table.
Remember: Admissions officers are looking for well-rounded individuals with a passion for learning, a commitment to their communities, and a desire to make a positive impact. Let your resume and your Common App be your voice, telling your story in a way that resonates with the college of your dreams.
If you need help crafting a killer resume that takes your Common App to the next level, or if you have any other questions about the college application process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at JobLoving. We’re always here to help you navigate the tricky waters of college applications and land your dream school!