Getting into a desirable college is the first big step toward your future career, and a well-prepared resume is your foot in the door.
Crafting a resume for college applications is slightly different from the usual job resume. It's a tool to showcase your academic journey, extracurricular activities, and what makes you a worthy candidate for admission.
In this guide, we'll walk you through 10 structured steps to help you nail that first impression with a professional resume, making the college application process less daunting.
What is a college application resume?
A college application resume is more than just a sheet of paper; it's a concise summary of your academic and extracurricular achievements.
Colleges require a resume as it paints a clearer picture of who you are beyond just grades and test scores. It's your chance to showcase your accomplishments, leadership roles, and community involvement.
Through your resume, admissions officers can gauge your potential and see the unique contributions you could bring to their campus community.
College application resume vs. job resume
When it comes to a job resume, the focus primarily rests on work experience, skills, and professional achievements.
On the other hand, a college admissions resume shines a spotlight on your academic achievements, coursework, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
While a job resume is tailored to impress potential employers, a college application resume is crafted to resonate with college admissions officers. It encapsulates your high school journey, reflecting both your scholastic and personal growth.
Each section of your college application resume, from academic honors to leadership roles in clubs, builds a narrative of your dedication, interests, and readiness for the challenges of higher education.
How to write a resume for college applications
Ready to apply to college? A solid resume is your chance to show colleges what you've got. Here's a rundown of 10 steps to help you write a resume that shines.
1. Research college application requirements
Different colleges might want to see different things on your resume. So, your first job is to check out the admissions page of the colleges you're eyeing, and see if they have any special instructions about resumes.
Following their guidelines shows you're the kind of person who pays attention - exactly what colleges like to see.
2. Choose the right resume format
Selecting the right format for your resume is like picking the right outfit for an occasion - it should suit your profile. Here's a bit more on the three common types:
- Chronological order. This format lists your experiences in reverse order, starting with the most recent. It's great if you have a strong work or volunteer history.
- Functional. This one puts your skills and accomplishments in the spotlight, regardless of when they happened. It's a good choice if you have a variety of skills but not a lot of work experience.
- Combination. As the name suggests, it's a mix. It allows you to highlight your skills while also showcasing your work or volunteer history.
For most high school students, a functional or combination format works best. It allows you to show off your relevant skills and achievements, even if you haven't had a lot of job experience.
3. Gather relevant information
Time to brag a little! List down everything noteworthy you've done during your high school years:
- Academics. Your GPA, any honors or awards, AP or honor classes, and relevant coursework.
- Extracurricular activities. Clubs, sports teams, leadership roles, and any other school-related activities.
- Work & volunteer experience. Part-time jobs, internships, community service, and summer programs.
- Skills. Both soft and hard skills. These skills could be anything from speaking a foreign language like Spanish, coding, and teamwork to problem-solving and communication skills.
4. Structure your resume effectively
A well-structured resume is like a well-organized room; it's easy to find what you're looking for:
- Header. Start with a header that includes your contact information, such as your full name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one).
- Education section. The educational section is where you'll list your high school name, graduation date, GPA, and any relevant coursework or honors.
- Experience section. Include your work, internships, and significant volunteer roles. Use bullet points to list your responsibilities and achievements in each position.
- Skills section. List your technical skills and soft skills here. Keep it simple and straightforward.
- Extracurricular activities section. Detail your involvement in school clubs, sports, and other activities.
Use bullet points, bold headings, and a clean font to keep things tidy and easy to read. Your resume is a reflection of you, so make sure it's as awesome as you are!
5. Craft a compelling objective statement
Your objective statement is like a movie trailer - it gives colleges a sneak peek of what's to come. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
Here's a resume example: "Honor roll high school senior with a passion for environmental science seeks to contribute to College X's sustainability initiatives while pursuing a green technology degree."
When crafting your objective, try to reflect the college's values or vibe. If a college is big on community service, highlight your volunteer work. It's about showing them you're a good fit.
6. Highlight academic achievements
Your academic achievements are your backstage passes to the college scene. When listing your honors or awards, use action verbs like "achieved" or "earned" to add some oomph. Include your GPA, class rank, and test scores like the ACT to give them the full picture of your academic prowess.
Here's a tip: if you took any college-level or relevant coursework, add that in, too. It shows you're already gearing up for college-level challenges.
7. Showcase extracurricular activities and leadership roles
Colleges love to see what you do outside the classroom. When listing your extracurriculars, focus on the ones where you had a leadership role or made a positive impact. Being the captain of the soccer team or leading a community service project shows you've got what it takes to contribute to their campus, too.
And don't just list your roles - explain them. A brief description can help admissions officers understand what you did and what skills you gained.
8. Include work experience and internships
Even if your work experience isn't directly related to your desired field of study, it still counts. Whether it was flipping burgers or interning at a local business, all of it shows you've got a good work ethic.
When listing your jobs, focus on what you learned or how you excelled. Use action verbs to describe your duties and any accomplishments.
No work experience? No worries. Highlight any volunteer roles or projects that show your skills and dedication instead. Your goal is to show you're ready to dive into the college world and beyond.
9. Polish and proofread your resume
Your resume needs to be as polished as your aspirations. Start by checking for any spelling or grammar errors. Tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word's spell check can be lifesavers, but your own keen eye is indispensable.
Keep a lookout for consistency in your formatting - same font style, same bullet points, and aligned margins all around.
Ensure your resume breathes; white space is your friend. It improves readability and gives a clean look. If formatting isn't your strong suit, consider using a resume builder tool that provides templates to work with.
Lastly, get some feedback. Show your resume to teachers, mentors, or professionals and soak up their insights. They might catch errors you missed or offer valuable suggestions to make your resume shine.
10. Complement your resume with a cover letter
A cover letter is your chance to tell your story. Unlike your resume, it gives you a space to explain your journey, your goals, and why you're excited about the college you're applying to.
Here's a simple structure to follow:
- Introduction. Start by grabbing attention. Mention something you admire about the college or a program it offers that excites you.
- Body. Dive into your academic and extracurricular experiences. Instead of repeating what's on your resume, share the insights or learnings you gained from these experiences. Show them what drives you.
- Conclusion. Reiterate your enthusiasm, thank the reader for considering your application, and express hope for further discussion.
While your resume showcases the milestones, your cover letter unveils the journey. Together, they create a fuller picture of who you are and what you bring to the table.
Find the right college for you on College Rover
You're on the brink of an exciting new chapter, and having a solid resume is your ticket in. But the journey doesn't end there.
Finding the right college is crucial. College Rover is here to guide you through this crucial phase. Explore and compare schools, research various programs, and get a feel of what your future might look like with the right resources at your fingertips.
Ready to take the next step? Dive into College Rover and start exploring your options now!
