When is it appropriate to add optional statements? For example, the Rutgers application has an option to upload additional documents about work experience, volunteer experience, anything to add to your application.
I feel like everything is covered in my application, personal statement, and resume. Is it bad that I don't add anything extra? Feel like it would just be listing my resume all over again.
Also, I've been working for 3 years now, and honestly I do not do any volunteer work. Some applications have a section for volunteer work on their apps. Is it bad if I don't fill it out?
Optional Statements/Volunteer Listing Forum
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nixy
- Posts: 4479
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2018 8:58 am
Re: Optional Statements/Volunteer Listing
No, some people include addendums about their GPAs or LSAT (not that these are usually helpful, but people include them), or other stuff they want to explain in their application, or a diversity statement, but it's not required. It's better not to include pointless statements than add stuff for the sake of adding stuff.
And if you don't have any volunteer experience, it doesn't really matter whether it looks bad to leave that blank - there's nothing you can do about it now, you can't manufacture experience you don't have. But no, it's not going to look bad. You've been working, that's fine, there's no requirement that you also volunteer. Schools just want to provide the option for people who do have that experience to talk about it (also, volunteer experience goes to C&F issues, too).
And if you don't have any volunteer experience, it doesn't really matter whether it looks bad to leave that blank - there's nothing you can do about it now, you can't manufacture experience you don't have. But no, it's not going to look bad. You've been working, that's fine, there's no requirement that you also volunteer. Schools just want to provide the option for people who do have that experience to talk about it (also, volunteer experience goes to C&F issues, too).
