The practice of providing a professional summary of one’s qualifications and experiences to undergraduate institutions supplements traditional application materials. This can include details of work history, volunteer activities, extracurricular involvement, skills, and achievements not fully captured in other application sections. For example, a student with extensive coding experience or entrepreneurial ventures might highlight these accomplishments in a submitted resume.
Offering this supplementary document can be advantageous in several ways. It provides a concise overview of a candidate’s profile, allowing admissions committees to quickly grasp key strengths and experiences. It can also demonstrate initiative and a proactive approach to the application process. Historically, resumes were less common in undergraduate applications, primarily used for graduate programs or scholarship opportunities. However, the increasing competitiveness of college admissions and the desire of students to showcase a broader range of accomplishments have led to a greater acceptance of resumes as supplemental materials.