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How To Do A College Resume

College Application Resume Template Examples

How to Make a Resume for College Applications | Coach Hall Writes

Use this resume section as an example of how to write and format your own accomplishments. The Balance also provides several resume templates you can use to condense your achievements into an easy-to-read format.

Education:

  • Graduated third in a class of 425 students
  • Attended Harvard University s Summer Pre-Law Program

Experiences:

  • Treasurer, Student Government Association, Grades 9-12
  • Captain, Soccer Team, St. Georges High School, Laramie, WY, Fall 20XX Spring 20XX
  • Volunteering:

Include Professional Contact Information

The first thing potential employers should see is a section at the top of your resume with your name, contact information and a link to your professional profile or website if you have one. In this section, you should include:

  • First and last name
  • Current phone number
  • Current and professional email address

Preferably, your initial contact information should fill one to two lines of the page just under your name at the top. Your name should be the largest heading on the page with 16 to 18 point font. Use the City, State format to list your locationtheres no need to include your physical address on your resume. Remember, your resume is not a legal document, which means you can select whichever name represents you best and what youd like to be called during the hiring process and eventually at work.

Heres an example of what your contact information section might look like:

512 Wide AvenueChicago, Illinois555-102-1512

Pro Tip: Use professional contact information. Employers will notice your level of professionalism, so use your college or university email alias or create a professional address consisting of your first and last name such as . In addition, create a professional message for your voicemail.

Include Any Extracurricular Activities Or Volunteer Work

When surveyed, the majority of employers say that they take volunteer experience, such as being a soup kitchen volunteer, into consideration alongside paid work experience. So any volunteer work that highlights your talents or where you learned a new skill should be put on your resume. Only include extracurricular activities and hobbies if they are relevant to the position and have equipped you with transferable skills that would be useful for the job role.

Related: How to Build a Resume Using College Involvement as Experience

Also Check: How To Explain Leadership Skills On Resume

Teach Yourself A New Skill

With so many online resources at your fingertips, there are plenty of options if youre looking to learn something new. Course platforms like Lynda and Coursera offer online classes teaching just about everything.

Maybe youll learn to code over spring break or take up a second language over the summer. Either way, employers are impressed by applicants who are self-starters and eager to learn. Plus, you may be able to utilize these newfound skills in your career.

Use Active And Specific Language

College Application Resume Template : Resume Templates For ...

Use the active voice when cataloging your achievements. You should also be offering clear evidence. If you can, use numbers and facts to support your experiences.

For example, rather than saying, Started tutoring business, you might instead write, Built a tutoring business by recruiting 15 student tutors and initiating a social media campaign targeting students in need of STEM support personally worked with 25 students, who improved their GPAs by an average of X points.

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What Additional Sections To Include On A High School Resume

After youve completed the above sections, you might find you still have some space on your high school resumeand thats good! It gives you an opportunity to further impress potential employers and colleges. Lets explore the different types of sections you can add to round out your resume.

Honors and Awards. Many students will include this section in their high school resume because its the perfect way to showcase their academic, sport, and extracurricular achievements. You might include being on the Honor Roll, having perfect attendance, winning a sports championship, placing first in a robotics competition, or receiving a scholarship, to name a few examples.

Relevant certifications. If youve had the opportunity to complete training and earn certifications relating to the position youre applying tofor instance, a CPR certification for a lifeguard or preschool assistant jobyou might want to devote an additional section to those.

Portfolio or published works. If youre an artist, writer, or other type of creative, you can add a section to your high school resume that specifically highlights your best creative achievements. For example, you can share the artwork youve publicly displayed, the poems youve had published, or the musical pieces youve performed.

Remember, your high school resume is all about you. So tailor the focus of your additional sections to showcase your uniqueness and bring you closer to the job, internship, scholarship, or college youre pursuing.

Organizing Your College Resume

Organize the information into an easy-to-read document that is no longer than two pages. Below are some categories to consider for your college resume:

  • Education: Your high school, GPA, and test scores.
  • Activities and work. Briefly describe the activity, your role in it, your contribution to it, the school year you participated, any leadership positions you held, and how many weeks and hours per week you contributed.
  • Honors and awards. Provide the name of the award or leadership position, a brief description, why you won it, and the date you received it.
  • Other experiences and skills. Choose those that show your initiative and commitment. Describe the experience or skill, the challenges you faced, the period of time you devoted to it, and the result of your commitment.

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Tips For Your College Application Resume

Your resume will be an important part of your career life, serving as a catalog of your professional accomplishments, experience, and achievements. But even before youre a full-fledged working adult, its still a good idea to start building your resume.

Many high school students use this space to record and describe their accomplishments, such as awards, volunteer and paid work, prestigious program participation, and more.

So, if youve taken the time to create a resume, can you submit it to colleges to augment your application? In some cases, yes. Keep reading to find out how to craft the ideal resume for colleges.

What If I Don’t Expect To Finish The Degree

How To Write a Resume (For College Students)

If you are taking a break from your education you need to consider whether or not the coursework you did complete is relevant. Ask yourself:

  • Is this degree related to the job I’m applying for?

  • Is this degree more relevant to the job than my other relevant experience including jobs, volunteer work, or certifications?

  • Is this in-progress degree recent enough?

  • Is having a degree required for this job?

While you should never lie about having a degree you don’t have, including any progress made towards a required degree may help you reach the interview stage. The trick is you have to be qualified for the job in every other aspect. If you don’t have an MBA, but you do have 10+ years in the business field, you may still have a shot at landing the interview.

To accurately represent this on your resume, don’t include a prospective graduation date. Instead, try including the number of credits and the years you attended.

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If Youre Currently Pursuing A Degree

If youre still enrolled in school and plan on graduating, list your expected graduation date alongside the name of the school and its location in the education section of your resume.

Heres an example of how to list an expected graduation date on a resume:

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER Denver, COExpected graduation: June 2024

One way you can strengthen this section is by including any additional details that will demonstrate your relevant skills and qualifications to a hiring manager, such as academic achievements or relevant coursework.

Some examples of additions to include are:

  • Major/specialization/certification
  • Academic awards
  • Scholarships

Including these will show a potential employer that youre disciplined and making the most out of your ongoing education.

Heres an example of how you can list achievements in your education section:

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER Denver, COB.A. in CommunicationsGPA: 3.7/4.0, Deans List for 3 semesters

  • Awarded the Sarah Parker Scholarship for academic excellence, 2019

Additionally, heres how to list coursework on your resume:

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER Denver, COB.A. in Communications

Relevant coursework: Media Writing Skills, New Media Production and Management, Social Media for Social Change

How To Write A Resume For Your College Application

Okay, if youve made it to this point then you must be one of those uncommon applicants for whom a resume is either a) required/recommended or b) will add something significant to your application. Here are some tips for writing a meaningful college applicant resume:

  • Most basic resume formats include ones Education, Experience, and Honors. These three headings will serve you well in this venture, and take notethey align pretty closely with the Common App format.
  • Follow the same general advice that we provided in our piece on How to Complete the College Application Activities List. Pay attention to chronology, accuracy, clarity of descriptions, and remain dedicated to only including items that genuinely add something to your candidacy.
  • The Common App activities and honors sections have notoriously strict character limits that can make some activities and distinctions frustratingly difficult to fully convey. If you have captured a number of impressive national, state, or local awards and were unable to fit them on your Common App honors section, then a resume presents a wonderful opportunity to tell the committee about these achievements in glorious detail.
  • Read Also: Two Page Resume

    How Do You Put Admissions On A Resume For University

    Tips for Writing an Effective Resume for a College Application

  • Be concise and direct.
  • Limit your resume to one page.
  • Mention unique experiences.
  • Dont embellish your background or accomplishments.
  • Use active rather than passive voice.
  • Emphasize specific achievements over general responsibilities.
  • Colleges That Require Resumes

    Best College Student Resume Example to Get Job Instantly

    On the other end of the spectrum, certain schools/programs such as Cornell Universitys prestigious School of Hotel Administration require you to submit a resume with your application. The vaunted Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester has an identical requirement. Resumes will also be necessary for all pursuits within the University of Michigans School of Music, Theater & Dance. The University of Wisconsin-Madison only demands a curriculum vitae from prospective undergraduate business students. While many universities used to require the submission of resume for all incoming students, regardless of major, it is rare to come across such a mandate in 2021. Florida State University is one of the more prominent schools that still falls into this category, although it has shifted to strongly recommended status in recent years.

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    How To List Unfinished College On A Resume

    It can be confusing to figure out how to put college on your resume if you didnt graduate, but it doesnt need to be stressful. Dont underestimate the value of the education you completed, just because you dont have a degree to show for it doesnt mean its not worthwhile.

    Even if youre not going to complete your degree, it can still make a valuable addition to your resume because:

    • It can help to explain an employment gap
    • It can highlight additional skills
    • It can showcase extra qualifications and relevant coursework

    If youre lacking formal work experience, any of these things could provide the extra push a hiring manager needs to seriously consider you as a candidate.

    Here are some ways to go about putting your education on your resume:

    Join A Professional Organization

    You dont need to be a professional in the workforce to join a professional organization. Joining as a student gives you exposure to your industry, shows your enthusiasm for the field and serves as a great addition to your resume. Plus, most professional organizations offer a discounted membership fee for students.

    Joining a professional organization helps new professionals learn about buzz-worthy topics in their chosen industry and can help them to make professional contacts, says Aerielle Ludwig, Resume Writing Professional. It also demonstrates an additional commitment and initiative regarding their professional identity.

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    Proofread Your Resume And Finish Strong

    Once youve written your resume and cover letter, youre in pretty good shape to send out that first application. However, youre not quite done yet.

    The most important step before sending out any resume is to read it over and make sure that there are no issues that could get your application discarded.

    To help make that process easier, heres a checklist you can go through to make sure your resume is looking spotless:

    The Resume Genius Resume Checklist

    Is your contact information accurate?

    Does your resume NOT include details like headshots or sensitive personal information?

    Does your resume fit on one page ?

    Is your information easy to read ?

    Is the design of your resume appropriate for the position youre applying for?

    Did you include all relevant sections on your resume?

    Did you include quantified achievements in your work experience section?

    Does your resume address the requirements stated in the job ad?

    Is your resume free of typos and grammatical errors?

    Is all of your information clearly formatted and professional?

    Feel free to use our on-page checklist, or and begin reviewing your resume.

    Get Involved On Campus

    How to Write a Resume for High School Students with NO experience

    College campuses across America are rife with student organizations, clubs and activities. Not only do they foster friendships, but club involvement enriches student resumes. Participation shows employers you did more than the bare minimum in college. It demonstrates that you can balance school work with extracurricular activities. In many cases, it also shows your ability to work with a team. Campus involvement also builds a transferable skill set you can apply in the workforce.

    One way to gain professional experience is to join groups that have a board, suggests Monica Kielawa, talent acquisition specialist at Combined Insurance. She explains that many colleges have degree-specific groups that allow anyone to join. You can gain experience by assisting in event planning, managing the groups budget and more. It may not be professional work, but it can be added to your resume with the skills you learned during your time there, she says.

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    Highlight Your Relevant Job Skills

    Hiring managers are on the lookout for candidates who have relevant, job-specific skills. While listing a heap of skills on your resume doesnt actually prove youre skilled, incorporating your various skills into different sections will catch the eye of whoever is vetting your application.

    For instance, you can showcase your hard and soft skills in your introduction and work experience section. And of course, you should also list your most valuable abilities in your resumes skills section.

    List Your Education After Your Summary

    Your education section is where youll demonstrate to employers that youre learning skills you can apply on the job. Consider featuring it as one of the first sections on your resume.

    Related: How to List Education on a Resume

    Even if what youre studying may seem unrelated to the professional world, your commitment to education can demonstrate a will to continually improve and showcase a strong work ethic. Take this opportunity to list relevant coursework youve completed, your GPA and key areas of study. Your education section should include:

    • The name of your school
    • The location of your school
    • The degree you are pursuing
    • Your field of study
    • Your graduation year
    • Your GPA
    • Any relevant honors or academic recognition, coursework, activities or other achievements obtained during your education

    Here are two examples:

    Bachelor of Arts in PsychologyBusiness Essentials Certificate, Terry Scholar

    Example 2

    University of Virginia May 2019Alpha Phi Omega The largest collegiate fraternity in the US, coed and with a focus on community service.

    Pro Tip: If you have not graduated yet, include your anticipated or expected graduation date. Include only the month and year, no need to include the dates you were enrolled.

    Example: Expected graduation May 2022

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    How Can I Impress A College

    What Should High Schoolers Do Over the Summer to Impress Colleges?

  • Participate in a specialized high school program.
  • Take a college class.
  • Find a summer program at a local school or community college.
  • Get involved with research.
  • Take a free online class.
  • Get a job.
  • Volunteer in your community.
  • Work And/or Volunteer Experience

    How to Write a Resume

    For high schoolers, work experience can include internships, part-time jobs, job shadowing, and study abroad experiences. Volunteer experience can be particularly important on a high school resume for college, as it demonstrates to admissions departments that you’re willing to contribute to your community. Make sure to highlight any leadership positions you held or currently hold.

    Recommended Reading: How To Say Leadership Skills On Resume

    How To Write An Objective Statement For A High School Resume

    The objective statement on your high school resume is quite literally answering the question, What is the purpose or objective of this resume? While on the surface it may seem obviousyou want to get hired for a specific job or accepted to a specific collegeyoull need to dig deeper in order to write an impressive objective statement.

    Your objective statement should provide three important pieces of information:

    • Why do you want this specific job or why do you want to attend this specific college?

    • What makes you the best candidate for this position or school?

    • How can this company or college help you reach your larger goals?

    Oh, and you only have one or two sentences to share this important information. Piece of cake, right? Dont worry, its easier than you think if you use a specific formula for writing your objective statement:

    student seeking to with gained from .

    Youll understand this formula best if we use an example. Lets say youre applying to a graphic design internship at your local newspaper. You have a keen eye for detail, your goal is to tell impactful digital stories, youre already skilled at using Adobe to create page layouts, and you have design experience from working on your school yearbook. Heres an example objective statement for your high school resume:

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