Why Your College Essay Shouldn’t Read Like a Resume

Short answer: It’s redundant. It’s repetitive. And it’s redundant.

Longer answer: Your resume should read like a resume. Your essay should read like a set of narratives that highlight your best traits and qualities, not your biggest accomplishments.

Even if you write about an accomplishment, the how and why you accomplished it is far more interesting to an AO than the accomplishment itself.

Fun fact: Your activity list should also NOT read like your resume.

See more answers here.

For official application deadlines and requirements, visit Common App or College Board’s BigFuture.