How to Write a Resume for a College Application

Your College Resume: Making a Great First Impression

Applying to college? Your resume is often the first thing admissions officers see. Think of it as your ticket to showing them what you're all about – beyond just grades. This guide helps you craft a killer resume, highlighting your awesome achievements and potential.

What Makes a College Resume Stand Out?

It's different from a job resume! This one shows what you've accomplished in high school, proving you're a committed learner, leader, and community member. Here's the key:

• Keep it short and sweet: Aim for one page. Admissions officers are busy, so make every word count.
• Tailor it: Customize your resume for each college. Highlight what matters most to them.
• Use numbers: Instead of "volunteered," say "volunteered 100 hours at a local soup kitchen, organizing food drives." Show, don't tell!
• Strong verbs: Start each bullet point with a powerful verb like "led," "managed," or "organized."
• Look professional: Use a clean font like Times New Roman or Arial. Keep it consistent.

Building Your College Resume: Section by Section

1. Contact Info:

Put your name, phone number, email, and maybe your LinkedIn profile (if it's professional) at the top. Make it easy for them to find you!

2. Summary/Objective (Optional):

A short summary (2-3 sentences) can highlight your strengths and goals. It's optional, but it can make a big impact. Customize it for each college.

3. Education:

List your high school, graduation date, and GPA (if it's good!). Add any honors or awards. For example:

Example:

Example High School, Anytown, CA
Expected Graduation: June 2024
GPA: 3.8
National Honor Society Member
High Honors All Four Years

4. Extracurriculars & Leadership:

This is HUGE. Detail clubs, sports, volunteer work, and leadership roles. Use action verbs and show your impact. Like this:

Example:

• Debate Club Captain (2022-2024): Led 15 students. We won the regional championship!
• Volunteer Tutor (2021-2024): Tutored 10+ students weekly, boosting their test scores by 15%.
• School Newspaper Editor (2023-2024): Managed 8 people, published 12 issues.

5. Work Experience (Optional):

Even a part-time job shows responsibility. Focus on skills you learned.

Example:

• Cashier (Summer 2023): Great customer service, handled cash accurately, kept things tidy.

6. Skills:

List your skills – computer skills, languages, software, leadership, etc. Match them to the colleges you're applying to.

7. Awards & Honors:

List any awards or recognition you've received. It shows you're achieving great things!

8. Projects (Optional):

Include any personal projects – coding, research papers, artwork. It showcases your initiative.

Resume Tips for College Apps

Here's how to make your resume shine:

• Use keywords: Check the college's website for keywords and use them in your resume.
• Proofread! Typos are a big no-no. Have a friend check it over.
• Keep it updated: Add new things as you accomplish them.
• Use action verbs: Show what you did, not just what you did.
• Quantify your wins: Use numbers to show your impact (e.g., "increased sales by 15%").
• Highlight transferable skills: Show how your skills apply to college and your major.
• Tailor it: Make a new resume for each college application.

Examples of Awesome Bullet Points

Here are some examples of strong bullet points:

• "Led 10 volunteers to raise over $5,000 for charity!" (Leadership, teamwork, results!)
• "Developed a mobile app, boosting user engagement by 20%!" (Technical skills, results!)
• "Improved customer satisfaction by 15% with a new training program." (Initiative, results!)
• "Managed a team to complete a research project, earning great feedback." (Teamwork, achievement!)

Beyond the Resume: The Whole Picture

Your resume is important, but it's just one part of your application. Good grades, test scores, essays, and recommendations are all crucial too.

Conclusion: Make Your Resume Count!

Your resume is your chance to shine! Follow this advice, and you'll have a resume that truly shows who you are. Good luck!