Like most resume writing, writing a college admissions resume can seem much harder than it really is. The most significant and most difficult part of writing college admissions resume is getting initiated. Yes, overcoming procrastination when writing a resume is actually the toughest part. Since a resume is not merely used for applying for internships and jobs, it’s imperative to get one going because you’ll most likely require it when applying to colleges as well.
Sections to Involve in a College Applications Resume
- Heading (involve personal information – name, address, phone number, & email address)
- Academic Profile (high school and dates attended)
- Summer Programs Attended
- Honors / Awards / AP / IB courses
- SAT/ACT scores/class ranking
- Co-Curricular Activities (school clubs, music, sports, etc.)
- Extracurricular Activities (out-of-school groups)
- Work and Volunteer Experience
- Hobbies/Interests/Travel
- Skills (Language/Computer/etc.)
College Admissions Resume Tips
- Each experience should be involved in reverse chronological order beginning with the most recent.
- It is significant to highlight any unique experiences that will help you stand apart from other candidates.
- Be consistent when writing your resume – abbreviations, periods, capitalization, dates.
- Provide any individuals who’ve agreed to write a recommendation with a copy of your resume.
- Have one or more people look at your resume prior to sending it out.
- Last but not least – Proofread, proofread, proofread!
What the Admissions Department Searches for in a College Resume
- However you might not have worked several jobs, the college resume speaks volumes about who you’re by making you put together something that indicates your personal skills, interests, and values and compels you to put into words what you have done so far.
- You may involve coursework that you think is noteworthy that would be a good addition to the overall document. If you participated in any college-level courses, this is a good thing to include as well.
- What about activities? Say that you’re an athlete or possess music or art capabilities, the college wants to know that too. Maybe you did a lot of volunteer work or fundraising during high school which may also be noteworthy for them to understand your personal values and what kinds of things are important to you.
- When applying to college a one-page resume should suffice. If you have a huge amount of writing or lab experience, put that on there too. If it does go to two pages, make sure the experiences are worth including and try to make the second page as complete as possible as well. Also, be sure to include your name and page 2 at the top of the second page. That way, if the pages should get separated, the admissions department won’t face the frustration of reviewing an incomplete resume in the process.
- In addition to having a lot of significant information to include on your resume, it is essential that you make certain that it is well-written. A resume that is written poorly may be rejected no matter how accomplished you have been so far.
- The best scenario is to have a well-written resume that shows accomplishments and involvement in a number of activities.
Tips for Writing an Effective Resume
Involve any and all information that would make you stand out in the college admissions resume.
- On your resume, it is significant to include whatever information you have that would be valuable for the Admissions Department to know. If you’ve received any awards or graduated #3 in your class, be certain to include that information on your resume. Now, this may seem like a no-brainer, but I can’t tell you how many resumes where this has been left out. Modesty on a resume can be a killer. In real life, it may suit you well but when trying to earn the respect and attention in the college admissions process, it’s essential that this information is included.
- However it is significant to include your accomplishments it’s just as important not to embellish on them to a point where they are unbelievable and not totally true. Embellishing on your resume can be merely as damaging as not including important information that makes you stand out.
Use Bullet Points to Explain Your Experiences
When describing your experiences on your college admissions resume, it is most effective to involve them using bullet points. This makes it easy for the committee to review and makes it more effective to make your experiences stand out.
Important tips for using bullet points:
- Start each bullet point with an action verb.
- Write each bullet point using specific concise language omitting articles such as an, and, and the whenever possible.
- Include your skills and accomplishments in your bullet points rather than focusing on your responsibilities.
Include Important Information That Will Make a Positive Impression
Since you just have one page (two at the most) to write down all of your experiences, it is crucial that you involve information that indicates excellent grades, awards, leadership activities, presentation skills, as well as individual creative capabilities such as music, art, writing, and/or excellent communication and interpersonal skills. It is these kinds of attributes that will make you stand out from the other candidates.
- Wrote a 5-page essay to be issued in high school art magazine.
- Led 45 students in high school’s weekend leadership development program.
- Participated in a scientific laboratory study to establish the survival instincts of rats.
- Treasurer, Student Government Association, Grades 9-12
- Flute Player, St. Georges High School, Laramie, WY, Grades 9 – 12
- Captain, Soccer Team, St. George’s High School, Laramie, WY, Fall 20XX – Spring 20XX
- Player, Soccer Team, St. George’s High School, Laramie, WY, Fall 20XX – Present
- Organizer, St. George’s Marathon Dance, Laramie, WY, Spring 20XX
- Helped raise over $20,000 for scholarships to be given to underprivileged children in the school