Should I attach a resume to my Common App?

Okay, so I've got a lot of extracurricular activities and volunteering experience that I'm proud of. Would it be wise to include a resume in my Common App submission, or is the activities section enough to cover this info?

Including a resume in your Common App can indeed be advantageous, especially if you have an extensive list of extracurricular activities and volunteer experiences that simply cannot be captured in the limited space of the activities section. Think of the resume as a tool to present your accomplishments in a more detailed and organized manner.

However, it's also important to ensure that the information on your resume doesn't merely repeat what's already listed in the activities section but instead expands on those experiences, providing additional context and specifics that could help admissions officers see the full scope of your involvement and commitments.

For instance, if you led a major project in one of your extracurricular activities, the resume could provide a space to outline that project in detail. Keep in mind that brevity and relevance are key; admissions officers have limited time, so your resume should be concise and highlight the most significant and relevant contributions you've made.

Before including a resume, always check the application instructions for each college you're applying to, as some might have specific guidelines about supplemental materials like resumes.