writing a resume for university application

How to Write a Resume for College Applications

Contributing Writer

Reviewer & Writer

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• High school resumes for college differ from professional resumes.
• A resume for college applications should use bullet points and employ strong action verbs.
• Resumes for college applications should include academic history, awards, and activities.
• Opinions on the importance of high school resumes for college vary.

Most U.S. colleges have similar application processes . Many schools use the Common App , and prospective students usually need to submit official transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, one or more personal essays , letters of recommendation , and a resume.

The resume is often the trickiest part for applicants, as many high school students do not have much professional experience. Unlike a traditional resume, however, a college application resume focuses more on extracurricular activities, academic performance, volunteer experience, hobbies, and awards than it does on employment history.

Still, putting together this document can seem daunting for many students. We created this guide to alleviate that stress. Read on to learn more about how to write a resume for college applications.

How Important Is a High School Resume for College?

Not all college applications require a resume, but it's always good to submit a resume if it's an option.

For example, the Common App only requires an activities list. However, you can still submit a resume, which can provide schools with a fuller picture of your academic performance, interests, and hobbies. You can also upload a resume to the locker section of the Coalition Application .

While some college admissions experts place premium importance on college application resumes, others do not. A resume shows admissions departments evidence of your academic achievements during high school. It also demonstrates your work and volunteer experiences, and what you can bring to the community beyond the classroom.

Don't embellish, but do include unique experiences and specific accomplishments to stand out from the crowd. You should also avoid generalities and cliches.

Additionally, your resume can help your recommenders write the best possible letters for your applications. You can also submit your resume as part of scholarship applications .

What to Include in a Resume for College Applications

A college resume differs from a typical professional resume in several ways. Below, we go over what to put down on your high school resume for college.

Name and Contact Information

The top or header of your resume should include your full name and email address, phone number, and home address. If you have a personal website or LinkedIn profile showcasing your work or achievements, you can also include those URLs in this section.

Education and Academic Accomplishments

In this section, list the name of your high school and the dates you attended. You can also provide information like your GPA and class rank , AP or IB courses you've taken, and your ACT or SAT scores if you think they'll help your case.

Work and/or Volunteer Experience

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.

Extracurricular Activities

Colleges want students who participate in and contribute to campus life beyond the classroom. You can mention sports, clubs, and non-school-related activities that you participated in. This section helps colleges get a more complete picture of who you are and what you care about.

Honors and Awards

You can list your proudest achievements in this section. Include academic awards received from your school, ranks from external organizations (like Eagle Scout or Gold Award), and any athletic accomplishments.

Skills, Interests, and Achievements

In this section, you can mention languages you speak, computer skills, and soft skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership. You can also briefly mention hobbies you're passionate about, especially if they relate to the major you plan to pursue in college.

How to Write a Resume for College: 5 Essential Tips

How you structure and write your resume is almost as important as what you include.

For instance, resumes for college applications should list all achievements, jobs, volunteer experience, and awards in reverse chronological order. The most recent job should be at the top of the section, with your previous position below it, and so on. You can see how this looks on our resume example below.

But first, here are five essential tips on how to write a resume for college.

1. Include a Professional Email Address

A professional email address — perhaps [email protected], or a similar choice — sends the right message to colleges. Colleges may not hold an unprofessional email address against you; however, providing a simple email address that includes your name is a better choice just in case.

2. Start With Your Education

Unlike a professional resume, a college resume should feature your education at the top. Colleges understand that if you're a first-year applicant, you likely don't have much, if any, professional experience. Colleges are first and foremost educational institutions. As such, academic performance is the most important factor in determining who to accept.

3. Use Bulleted Lists

You should always use bullet points instead of paragraphs when listing information in your resume. Bullet points make your resume easier to read. Admissions departments wade through thousands of resumes. They're much more likely to read and consider a clean, digestible list of your accomplishments than a dense, muddled document.

4. Employ Strong Action Verbs

Use strong action verbs with each bullet point in your resume. For example, if you worked as the manager of an ice cream shop during the summer, avoid writing "was the manager at Scoops Ahoy" as a bullet point. Instead, try "directed a team of five employees" or "trained five employees in company policies."

5. Limit It to One Page

No resume should extend past one page. Even after high school, a resume longer than a page is more like a curriculum vitae, or CV . In high school, a long resume likely contains fluff and filler. Keeping your resume to one page is good practice for writing concisely — a crucial skill in college and beyond.

College Application Resume Example

Derek Henry 150 15th Ave. South Nashville, TN 37212 (615) 777-7777 [email protected]

Hillsboro High School, Class of 2021 GPA: 3.9

• Administrative Assistant, Tennessee Titans (2019-Present)
• Maintain and clean player equipment in locker room.
• Coordinate community outreach programs with local middle schools.
• Organize player scouting reports for front office.
• Student Volunteer Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity (2018-Present)
• Participated in five 50-hour builds in different Nashville neighborhoods.
• Led and organized 8-10 students who participated in builds.
• President, Habitat for Humanity Club (2018-Present)
• Secretary, Yoga Club (2018-Present)
• Member, Ultimate Frisbee Team (2017-Present)
• Running Back, Football Team (2017-Present)
• Principal's List, Six Semesters
• Cum Laude Society
• National Merit Finalist
• Outstanding Senior, 2021
• Computer: Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop
• Language: Spanish (conversational)

Feature Image: pondsaksit / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

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CV for University Application example

Getting into university and getting a degree will give you a huge head-start in your career, but getting into university isn’t easy

This guide contains an example University Applicant CV and plenty of tips on how to create your own winning CV, so you can stand out amongst the other candidates and get into the university of your dreams.

Guide contents

CV for University Application example 1

Cv for university application example 2.

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education

CV templates 

Unsure of what your University Applicant CV should look like?

Have a look at the CV example above to get familiar with the structure, layout and format of a professional CV.

As you can see, it provides plenty of relevant information about the applicant but is still very easy to read, and brief – which will please busy university recruiters.

University Applicant CV structure and format

The format and structure of your CV is important because it will determine how easy it is for recruiters and employers to read your CV.

If they can find the information they need quickly, they’ll be happy; but if they struggle, your application could be overlooked.

A simple and logical structure will always create a better reading experience than a complex structure, and with a few simple formatting tricks, you’ll be good to go.

Formatting Tips

• Length: Recruiters will be immediately put off by lengthy CVs – with hundreds of applications to read through, they simply don’t have the time! Grabbing their attention with a short, snappy and highly relevant CV is far more likely to lead to success. Aim for two sides of A4 or less.
• Readability : Make sure your CV is easy to read and looks professional by applying some simple formatting tricks. Bullet points are great for making large paragraphs more digestible, while formatting your headings with bold or coloured text will help the reader to find the information they need, with speed.
• Design: It’s generally best to stick to a simple CV design, as funky or elaborate designs rarely add any value to your application. A clear, modern font and a subtle colour scheme work perfectly and allow your skills, experience and achievements to speak for themselves.
• Avoid photos: Logos, profile photos or other images aren’t necessary and rarely add any value – save the space for written content, instead!

Structuring your CV

As you write your CV , work to the simple but effective structure below:

• Name and contact details – Pop them at the top of your CV, so it’s easy for recruiters to contact you.
• CV profile – Write a snappy overview of what makes you a good fit for the role; discussing your key experience, skills and accomplishments.
• Core skills section – Add a short but snappy list of your relevant skills and knowledge.
• Work experience – A list of your relevant work experience, starting with your current role.
• Education – A summary of your relevant qualifications and professional/vocational training.
• Hobbies and interests – An optional sections, which you could use to write a short description of any relevant hobbies or interests.

Now I’ll guide you through exactly what you should include in each CV section.

CV Contact Details

Tuck your contact details into the corner of your CV, so that they don’t take up too much space. Stick to the basic details, such as:

• Mobile number
• Email address – It should sound professional, such as your full name.
• Location -Just write your rough location, rather than your full address.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL – If you include these, ensure they’re sleek, professional and up-to-date.

University Applicant CV Profile

Recruiters read through countless applications every day.

If they don’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they’ll simply move onto the next one.

That’s what makes your CV profile (or personal statement , if you’re an entry-level/graduate candidate) so important.

This short and snappy summary sits at the top of your CV, and should give a high-level overview of why you’re a good match for the university.

This way, you can ensure that busy recruiters see your suitability from the outset, and so, feel your CV is worth their time.

Tips for creating an impactful CV profile:

• Keep it brief: It might be tempting to submit a page-long CV profile, but recruiters won’t have the time to read it. To ensure every word gets read, it’s best to include high-level information only; sticking to a length of 3-5 lines.
• Tailor it: Before writing your CV, make sure to do some research. Figure out exactly what your desired employers are looking for and make sure that you are making those requirements prominent in your CV profile, and throughout.
• Don’t add an objective: Leave your career objectives or goals out of your profile. You only have limited space to work with, so they’re best suited to your cover letter .
• Avoid cliches: “Determined team player who always gives 110%” might seem like a good way to fill up your CV profile, but generic phrases like this won’t land you an interview. Recruiters hear them time and time again and have no real reason to believe them. Instead, pack your profile with your hard skills and tangible achievements.

What to include in your University Applicant CV profile?

• Summary of experience: Recruiters will want to know what type of companies you’ve worked for, industries you have knowledge of, and the type of work you’ve carried out in the past, so give them a summary of this in your profile.
• Relevant skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your CV.
• Essential qualifications: Be sure to outline your relevant qualifications, so that anyone reading the CV can instantly see you are qualified for the universities you are applying to.

Quick tip: Your CV is your first impression on recruiters, so it’s vital to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes if you want to appear professional. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to add pre-written content that has been crafted by recruitment experts.

Core skills section

In addition to your CV profile, your core skills section provides an easily digestible snapshot of your skills – perfect for grabbing the attention of busy hiring managers.

As University places might receive a huge pile of applications, this is a great way to stand out and show off your suitability for the role.

It should be made up of 2-3 columns of bullet points and be made up of skills that are highly relevant to the universities you are targeting.

Work experience/Career history

Next up is your work experience section, which is normally the longest part of your CV.

Start with your current (or most recent) job and work your way backwards through your experience.

Can’t fit all your roles? Allow more space for your recent career history and shorten down descriptions for your older roles.

Structuring your roles

If you don’t pay attention to the structure of your career history section, it could quickly become bulky and overwhelming.

Get in recruiters’ good books by creating a pleasant reading experience, using the 3-step structure below:

Begin with a summary of your role, detailing what the purpose of your job was, who you reported to and what size of team you were part of (or led).

Key responsibilities

Next, write up a punchy list of your daily duties and responsibilities, using bullet points.

Wherever you can, point out how you put your hard skills and knowledge to use – especially skills which are applicable to your target role.

Key achievements

Finish off by showcasing 1-3 key achievements made within the role.

This could be anything that had a positive effect on your company, clients or customers, such as saving time or money, receiving exemplary feedback or receiving an award.

At the bottom of your CV is your full education section. You can list your formal academic qualifications, such as:

• GCSE’s

As well as any specific qualifications that are essential to the jobs you are applying for. Note down the name of the qualification, the organisation at which you studied, and the date of completion.

Interests and hobbies

This section is entirely optional, so you’ll have to use your own judgement to figure out if it’s worth including.

If your hobbies and interests could make you appear more suitable for your dream job, then they are definitely worth adding.

Interests which are related to the industry, or hobbies like sports teams or volunteering, which display valuable transferable skills might be worth including.

Writing your University Applicant CV

An interview-winning CV for a University Application needs to be both visually pleasing and packed with targeted content.

Whilst it needs to detail your experience, accomplishments and relevant skills, it also needs to be as clear and easy to read as possible.

Remember to research the role and review the university before applying, so you’re able to match yourself up to the requirements.

If you follow these guidelines and keep motivated in your university search, you should land an interview in no time.

Best of luck with your next application!

• English (UK)
• Resume Examples

How to Write a Resume for College Application

Looking for a perfect college resume template? Learn how to write your college application resume and get into any college you want.

A college application resume shouldn't be a snooze-fest of grades and dull work history. It's time to flip the script.

Say goodbye to the cookie-cutter approach and dive into crafting a resume for a college application that speaks volumes about the awesome things you've achieved—things you may not even realize.

This guide will show you:

• A great college application resume example.
• How to write a resume for college application that gets you into the best institutions.
• What to include on a high school resume for college.
• Tips & tricks to get your college resume template noticed.

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

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Looking for a different kind of college resume? We've got you covered:

• Academic CV Template
• College Freshman Resume
• College Student Resume
• Engineering Student Resume

High School Graduate

• High School Student Resume
• Law School Application
• Law Student Resume
• Recent College Graduate Resume
• Undergraduate College Resume

Now, I’ll show you a fantastic college application resume.

College Application Resume Example

Phoebe Parsons

Personal Info

Address: [Phoebe's Address]

Phone: 555-123-4567

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/phoebeparsons

Driven high school graduate with a 3.85 GPA, seeking admission to The University of Iowa. Dedicated part-time zookeeper with a passion for animal care and extensive volunteering experience at an animal shelter. Demonstrated academic commitment by maintaining a 3.85 GPA, and led a team of 10 students in creating a sustainable garden on the school premises.

Linden Heights High School, Des Moines, IA

September 2021–May 2024

• Maintained a 3.85 GPA, excelling in Physics, English, and History.
• Recognized by four teachers for exceptional communication skills.
• Graduating in May 2024.
• Combined SAT scores of 1350 (700 Verbal, 650 Math).

High School Project: Green Oasis Initiative

• Led a team of 10 students in creating a sustainable garden on the school premises.
• Implemented eco-friendly practices, resulting in a 30% reduction in water usage.
• Provided fresh produce to the school cafeteria, contributing to a 20% increase in students choosing healthier meal options.

Zookeeper Assistant

Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, IA

July 2022–Current

• Assisted in daily animal care routines, focusing on the well-being of diverse species.
• Collaborated with senior zookeepers to implement enrichment programs, improving animal welfare.
• Maintained a 98% positive feedback rating from zoo visitors.

Furraria Animal Shelter, Des Moines, IA

January 2020–July 2022

• Devoted over 500 hours to animal care and community outreach.
• Successfully implemented a social media campaign, increasing shelter adoptions by 25%.

Co-founder, Operator

Paws for a Cause, Des Moines, IA March 2021–Present

• Launched and managed a social fundraising campaign for animal welfare.
• Mobilized a network of volunteers, raising $15,000 for shelter improvements.
• Established an online presence with 10,000 followers across social media platforms.
• Animal Care
• Social Media Management
• Fundraising
• Project Leadership
• Team Collaboration
• Time Management
• Communication
• Spanish—Bilingual
• Italian—Full Working Proficiency
• Wildlife photography: Organized a trip to photograph several endangered bird species in North America.
• Passionate about wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.
• Creative Writing: Runs a nature-oriented blog with around 2,000 monthly readers

A college application resume serves as a supplement to the college application. It offers admissions officers a quick overview of the applicant's accomplishments. A college application resume often includes extracurricular activities, academic performance, volunteer experience, hobbies, and awards.

Here’s how to write a resume for college applications that opens the doors to the best colleges.

1. Pick the Best Format for College Application Resume

There are around 57,000 applicants that try to get into Harvard each year. And only about 2,000 get admitted. So, about 3.5–4%. To be in the 4% that do get in, you need to have jaw-dropping academic achievements from high school—

And your college application resume format needs to be flawless. Follow this formula for the best college resume template:

• Pick a professional, simple resume template . 
• Use the best resume fonts , like Arial or Cambria, in 10–14pt. Add big headings, utilize white space, and set 1-inch margins on your resume .
• Create your resume header first. Add name, address, phone, email, and social media links. No photo.
• Add a college resume objective. Next, the education section, then activities and job experience.
• List bonuses like hobbies, volunteer work, publications, and certification on your resume for college. They show you can get things done.
• Write a one-page resume. One page is the perfect length for a resume for college applications.
• Save your resume as a PDF rather than a DOC . PDFs are machine-readable and keep their formatting on all software and devices. But, some colleges will prefer other file types or applications through The Common App .

Expert Hint: Since you’re applying to college, you might’ve heard the term CV being tossed around. But you don’t need to create a detailed CV when writing a high school resume for college. If you’d like to learn more about the differences between CVs and resumes , click the embedded link.

2. Craft a Powerful College Resume Objective

With an impeccable format all ready, your college admission resume has been given the privilege of being read for a couple of seconds. That’s not a lot of time.

This is why you need a resume objective . Present the admission officers with something that will open their eyes faster than a project deadline. Use:

• A resume power adjective ( enthusiastic, passionate ).
• “ High school graduate ” or “ student ”.
• Your goal ( seeking admission to The University of Iowa )
• An attention-grabbing achievement (l ed a team of 10 students in creating a sustainable garden )

Here is a practical example of what to do and not do:

College Application Resume Objective—Example

Passionate high school graduate with a 3.3 GPA and 1300 combined SAT scores. Graduating from high school in May 2024.

The first example is effective because it succinctly highlights the candidate's outstanding GPA, combines academic excellence with relevant, practical experiences , and showcases leadership through a sustainability project.

The bad example falls short as it lacks depth, offering only basic information without providing insights into the candidate's character, skills, or accomplishments. It's generic and doesn't engage the reader with meaningful details.

As for GPA, the higher it is, the better. But what constitutes high ? We can extrapolate from a study on undergraduate GPA as a selection tool . For the best results, you want a 3.6+ GPA score.

If you graduated from high school long ago, pursued a career, and are only now trying to get into college, use a resume summary . Instead of focusing strictly on your academic achievements, present 1–2 quantified professional work achievements . Especially if they’re relevant to the course you’re trying to get into.

Expert Hint: Don’t make your college application resume profile first. Build it after the rest of your high school resume for college. Then, you’ll have a full curriculum to pick from.

3. Show Educational Prowess

That goes without saying. You need to build a strong education section on a college application resume. But, you’ll include a bit more information than if you were writing a resume tailored for a job .

A university cares for your grades. So you need to show your GPA, SAT, and you can also highlight your best A+ subjects. On top of that, include additional information that shows your commitment to gaining knowledge, as well as other practical, relevant achievements gained during high school.

These college resume samples show the difference:

Education on a High School Resume for College—Example

New West Charter School, Los Angeles, CA

2014–2019

• Co-Captain of Track Team.
• SAT Scores >1300

The first of these two examples shows you weren’t just stuck to your classroom desk. It presents stunning achievements that are certain to catch an eye.

Meanwhile, the second example is bland and gives an inconclusive SAT score value.

Expert Hint: If you’ve already graduated once, present your university projects, relevant coursework , internships, and other achievements you can pull from your time studying.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now .

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Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now .

4. List Activities on a Resume for College Applications

A typical college application resume would end here, which is fine if you DON’T want to get into a university. To make your resume for college application fire—

Take as much time as you need and list interesting activities on your college resume. Hobbies, interests & extracurricular activities on a college admission bring a plethora of advantages . Think of these activities that are:

• Relevant to the course you want to enroll in.
• Prove vital skills.

These high school resume for college show how:

Activities on a Resume for College—Example

Paws for a Cause, Des Moines, IA

March 2021–Present

• Road biking
• Fund raising

The second example might work if you need to fill some space on a regular resume. But for a college application resume, it just doesn’t make the cut.

The first example presents tangible work experience and showcases the candidate’s hobbies in great detail, proving multiple skills.

What activities can you show on a resume for college applications?

• Class Rank if it’s impressive.
• Certifications : They prove your skills and show your dedication and motivation towards learning a specific subject.
• Jobs : Jobs show work ethic on college admission resumes.
• Awards : Essay competitions, speaking, chess club, etc.
• Volunteer Work : Red Cross, bake sales, crowdfunding.
• Projects : Have you done public service or built a website? Projects show your dedication to a goal.
• Social Media Followings : Have you built a following on Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter? That shows communication and persistence.
• Passions : Have you done lots of paintings? Read a ton of books? Passions show you’ve got the drive to learn something that matters.
• Sports : Don’t just list sports on a college resume. Add accomplishments like races won or records broken.
• Positions : List captainships, Eagle Scout rank, or positions in church or 4-H groups. Those all energize high school resumes for college.
• Hobbies & Interests : Are you good a fishing? Crafts? Hobbies prove you can work toward a goal.
• Known Languages : Command of a foreign language looks great on college application resumes.

Expert Hint: Remember to prove as many statements as possible by providing details. Strong college application resume bullet points like “ Successfully implemented a social media campaign, increasing shelter adoptions by 25% ” are incredibly effective.

5. Showcase Your Skills

In the previous section of the article, I mentioned skills several times. And I’m going to talk about resume skills again. This is because you’re going to write a skills section on your college application resume.

Normally, you’d do it to target some resume keywords from the job application. This time, you’re mostly targeting what the admission officer might value. This means hard skills that are important for the curriculum, and soft skills that highlight your character and potential contributions to the university community.

Don’t copy any lists you find on the internet. Always take your time and choose 5–10 most relevant skills. Here’s a list of some of the most crucial ones for inspiration:

Skills for a College Application Resume

• Communication Skills
• Strong Work Ethic
• Collaboration
• Self-Motivated
• Fast Learner
• Critical Thinking
• Creative Thinking
• Presentation
• Negotiation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Physically Fit
• Problem-Solving
• Tech Skills
• Computer Skills
• Programming
• Public Speaking
• Social Media

Expert Hint: If you don’t know the differences between hard and soft skills , click the embedded link to learn all about this subject.

6. Supply Your College Application Resume With a Cover Letter

Some colleges will require you to send a cover letter and your college application resume. Other ones will not specify, even though they most likely consider cover letters necessary .

Keep to the standard cover letter format . Start with your and the recipient’s contact information. Next, write an introductory paragraph that works similarly to the resume profile. In the middle section, showcase your achievements and skills. In the end, focus on your motivation and values.

You can learn how to write a cover letter from our guide.

Expert Hint: Do you have what it takes to win a scholarship? Write a scholarship resume and a scholarship cover letter that will make you stand out from the crowd. 

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here .

For a college application resume that puts you in a toga:

• Use the college resume template at the top .
• Set the right college application resume format . That way, you’ll show you’re organized and take things seriously.
• Make your education section meaningful . Show accomplishments in your high school student resume education section.
• List resume activities in your bullet points . Add details and numbers that show you’re not playing around.
• Add a college application cover letter . In it, elaborate on your achievements, motivations, and personal aspirations.

Do you have any questions on how to write a high school resume for college that sparkles? Still not sure what goes on a resume for college application? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines , ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets . Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Mariusz is a career expert with a background in quality control & economics. With work experience in FinTech and a passion for self-development, Mariusz brings a unique perspective to his role. He’s dedicated to providing the most effective advice on resume and cover letter writing techniques to help his readers secure the jobs of their dreams.

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How to Write a Resume for College – A CollegeAdvisor Guide

How to write a resume for college – introduction.

Standing out as a stellar applicant in the college admissions process is tough. One way to separate yourself from the crowd is by crafting a strong resume for college. Your college resume can highlight information about your background, activities, and achievements. Some of these might not be indicated elsewhere in your college application or recommendation letters . 

In this article, we will teach you how to write a college resume. We’ll highlight 5 simple steps to building your college application resume. We will also discuss what a college resume is and why you may need a resume for college. Additionally, we will provide examples on how to write a resume for college by reviewing college resume examples. Finally, we’ll walk you through some college resume templates in our example college resumes.

So, let’s look at how to write a college resume and explain what makes a good college resume, why you should include a resume for college in your applications, and more!

What is a college resume? 

A high school resume is typically a one-page document that complements your college application . Your high school resume (or college resume) can help you showcase your achievements and extracurriculars for college. It does this by sharing information that is not elsewhere within your college applications. The goal of a college resume is to show the college admissions officers who you are and how you spend your time outside of the classroom . 

Before we jump into how to write a college resume, let’s examine some things that make up a good college resume.

A good college resume should include: 

• Clear structure
• Concise language (bullet points over essay-style)
• Relevant details
• Strong formatting

As we discuss how to write a resume for college, you might wonder what purpose a college resume serves. In short, a college resume is a summary of experiences that you can use to add depth to your college applications. You can also think of a college resume as your high school resume, or a resume for college. Your college resume will include a brief description of each of your experiences and extracurriculars for college. 

While we examine how to write a resume for college, you should first note that your college resume should include key details like your educational details, GPA , extracurricular activities/jobs, and honors/awards. As we’ll discuss, your college resume will have other key features. We’ll go through each of these as we learn how to write a resume for college. 

Many colleges list a college resume within their college application requirements. But, even if a college resume is not listed in the college application requirements, we recommend creating one anyway. 

We will look at a sample college resume later in this article, along with a 5-step guide to creating a resume for college that you can use as you begin writing your college resume. 

Do I need a resume for my college applications? 

No, you do not necessarily need to include a college resume with your college applications. However, a high school resume or resume for college can be a helpful tool in the college admissions process. 

So, how could including a resume for college application be beneficial? First, including a college resume in your college applications can help highlight your skills, experiences, and qualifications to the admissions office of your dream school.  

Having a college resume can help you showcase your extracurricular activities in your college applications. You can highlight leadership positions, accomplishments, interests, and activities on your college resume that might not appear elsewhere in your college applications. 

Creating a resume for college application can also demonstrate your accomplishments and experiences to college admissions officers. Even if a high school resume is optional in the list of college application requirements, including one in your college applications can help you stand out. Standing out is incredibly important in the admissions process, especially if your ideal college is high on the list of college rankings . 

It is a good idea to start putting together your college resume as you near the end of high school.

You may forget the names of clubs, supervisors, mentors, teachers, etc. as you get ready to apply to college. So, the earlier you can gather all the information for your high school resume, the better! That way, all of your experiences are fresh in your mind, and you can create the strongest resume for college possible. 

When should I prepare my college resume? 

As you begin the process of applying to college, you might be wondering when to prepare your college resume. The ideal timeline for creating your high school resume can start as early as 9 th grade. 

In general, you won’t want to include anything on your high school resume before 9 th grade. Like other college application requirements, college admissions officers are only interested in the activities you have participated in during high school. 

Keep a list starting in 9th grade

As early as 9 th grade, you can start keeping a list of your accomplishments and activities. Even though you won’t need to format this list into a college resume yet, it will be the basis for your future college application resume.

As you begin the college admissions process, you can use the list you created and turn it into a college resume. As you apply to college and prepare your college resume, research which college resume format works best for you. Reviewing a sample college resume or college resume template can help you find the perfect college resume format. 

As you look through college resume examples, think about which aspects of the college resume template you like the best. Then, adapt things from those college resume examples to fit your college resume. Once you have decided on a college resume format, list your accomplishments, jobs, and activities within that college resume format. 

Summer before senior year

The best time to create your high school resume is during the summer before your senior year. This gives you plenty of time to perfect your college application resume. 

We’ll examine the necessary components of a successful college resume in the next section of this article. So, read on!

What should a high school student put on a resume? 

As you begin the college admissions process, you may be asking yourself what to include on your high school resume. You can start the college application resume writing process by brainstorming how you spend your time outside of your courses. 

Think about everything you have done or achieved since you started high school and write it down. Your high school resume should highlight your activities, interests, and skills. Pay particular attention to these factors as you consider what to include on your high school resume.

Your high school resume will be organized categorically. Some of the most common categories for a resume for college application include personal information, work experience, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience/community service, education, and skills.  In addition to the categories listed above, below is a list of some other things that high school students should list on their resume for college.

Top ten things to list on your college resume:

• School name and address
• Contact Info
• GPA or Class rank, if applicable
• Internships & volunteer roles
• Awards and honors
• Extracurricular activities
• Leadership positions
• Language competencies

As we mentioned earlier, you may not have information or experiences for every category listed above. That’s perfectly fine! Focus on what applies to you and what you can include on your high school resume as you learn how to write a college resume. 

What does not belong on my high school resume? 

Now that we have examined what to include on your high school resume, let’s discuss what does not belong on your college application resume. 

Keep it current

In general, you should avoid including any activity or achievement from before 9 th grade on your resume for college. However, it’s okay to include something that is particularly impressive and/or attached to a current activity. 

For example, if you have 12 years of experience in playing the violin, you will want to include that on your high school resume. However, if you joined your middle school band for a semester, you should likely leave that out of your college resume. Your resume for college should reflect activities that matter to you now.

Avoid listing daily duties

There is no need to include informal everyday activities on your college resume, such as cooking for your family or cleaning around the house. When you are crafting your resume for college, it’s best to stick to things that are relevant to admissions committees or future employers. 

Note that this is one area where your college resume differs from your activities list. For instance, if you spend considerable time caretaking your three siblings, you may choose to include that on your activities list within the Common App. However, the same responsibilities likely shouldn’t appear on your resume for college.

Keep it clear

As you examine college resume templates and college resume examples, take note of the language and structure in a sample college resume. It’s important to use concise language and clear structure throughout your resume for college. 

Additionally, do not include excessive text or overly detailed explanations on your college application resume. You want your resume for college to be simple and clear. In general, you should limit your high school resume to one page, or two at the absolute maximum. Most people who review your college resume will spend about 30 seconds with it. So, your resume for college should be easily scanned, above all. 

When you use concise language throughout your college resume, it will make it easier for your reader to understand your accomplishments. Because most people will skim your high school resume, having a clear structure throughout will make it easy to read. Keep it simple and keep it consistent. 

Steer clear of images and graphics

While you might come across this in your college resume format research, it’s best to avoid including images or graphics in your college application resume. Although this is a new trend and can be seen on multiple college resume examples and college resume templates, it can be distracting and take up valuable space on your high school resume.  

For instance, if you volunteered at twelve different soup kitchens, there is no need to list each one separately. That will become tedious and take up too much space on your essential resume for college application. 

Finally, you should never misrepresent your qualifications on your high school resume. Be honest about your involvements, however many you have. It’s not worth potentially getting caught in a lie or an exaggeration during a college interview.

Where do I submit my college application resume? 

While you apply to college, you might be wondering what to do with your resume for college applications. Many college application portals will include a section for your college resume, especially if a resume for college is listed as one of the college application requirements. 

Most college application portals list the high school resume section as optional. While you are applying to college, you might notice that most colleges require that you fill out an activities section as part of the application process. The activities section will ask you to list your extracurriculars for college. Often, your activities section will serve the same purpose as your college resume. 

If you choose to include a high school resume with your college application, it should reflect your accomplishments in more detail than your activities section. Additionally, if you choose to include a resume for college with your application, make sure it adds something new to your activities list. 

You will receive access to your college’s application portal once you have completed the process of applying to college but before you receive a college acceptance letter and officially enroll . When it’s time to upload your high school resume, be sure to upload it as a PDF rather than a Word document. That way, you can ensure that your formatting of your college resume stays consistent on every application. 

We’ll provide more details about the college resume format later in this article, when we examine college resume examples and college resume templates. 

How often should I update my college resume? 

It may be helpful to update your resume (or other records) every six months to a year in order to avoid missing any important details. You can use your college resume for more than just your college application requirements. In fact, there may be internships or other opportunities you seek out in high school that will ask you to submit a high school resume. Updating your college resume often will help you keep track of your experiences and accomplishments. 

In general, you should update your high school resume as often as it works for you. However, when you are almost done applying to college , you will want to make sure that your college resume is up-to-date and accurate before including it with your application. 

No matter how often you update your resume for college applications, we encourage you to keep copies of any old college resume examples you might have. Having old copies of your college resume can help you in the future as you begin to tailor your college resume for potential reviewers. 

How to write a resume for college

Now that we have a better understanding of what makes up a college resume, let’s focus on how to write a resume for college. You can begin writing your college resume by creating a list of your key details . Your key details will be the starting point for your college resume. 

First, you will include information about where you go to school, as well as your current GPA and any Honors statuses. You will also want to list your academic interests on your high school resume, including what you hope to study or pursue beyond high school. 

You will also include your extracurricular activities and the years you engaged in them on your resume for college. Additionally, you will want to add any jobs or internships you have had and the dates you held them. You can also list any leadership positions and the years you held them on your college resume. 

Finally, you will want to include any special skills you have on your resume for college. This can include certifications as well. 

Once you have a list of your key details, you will want to organize these details into sections on your high school resume. For some, these sections might include Objective, Education, Leadership Positions, Work and Internship History, and Special Skills.  

College Resume Walkthrough

Linked about is our college resume walkthrough. Let’s do another walkthrough of these sections here to see what kind of information to include in each one. 

Your objective is the reason why you are writing your college resume. This section will vary depending on where you send your resume. 

If you are creating a resume for college applications, you should include information about your intended major or future career in this section. However, if you are sending your high school resume to a potential employer, your objective section will include information about why you are uniquely skilled for the job. 

Education 

The education section of your college resume should include all high schools you have attended, along with your GPA and anticipated date of graduation. 

If your high school provides you with a class rank, you can also include that piece of information within this section of your resume for college. 

Additionally, you can include your SAT or ACT score within this section, especially if you are submitting your resume for college applications. 

Leadership Positions 

Be sure to highlight any leadership positions you have held in your college resume. This includes any appointed positions you have received and even informal leadership positions. 

For example, if you were voted Class President of your Student Council, you can include that information here. Or maybe you are a peer mentor on your soccer team—you can include those details within this section of your college resume. 

Work and Internship History 

This section of your high school resume will list your whole work history, including internships , summer jobs , or part-time jobs. 

You will want to include the job title, company, dates of employment, and a brief outline of your duties for each of the work or internship experiences in this section of your resume for college. 

Special Skills 

Finally, this section of your college resume will outline any technical or soft skills you might have. Soft skills include things like teamwork, communication skills, and conflict resolution. 

In this section of your resume for college, you can also include any languages you speak or certifications you have. 

After you have organized your high school resume into sections, you will want to include a bulleted list detailing your responsibilities within each of your engagements/leadership roles. Be sure to include only relevant details in your descriptions, as it’s important to be concise on your college resume.  

Remember to include the years for every role/activity on your college resume. You will want to list them with the most recent positions/activities at the top of your resume for college. 

College resume format

Your college resume format is one of the most important features to consider as you apply to college. As you construct your college resume format, make sure that it’s readable. 

Most people won’t look at your college resume for more than 30 seconds. So, any reader should be able to skim your high school resume and come away with a relatively clear idea of your qualifications and background. 

The ideal college resume format will have the name of the student clearly listed at the top of the college resume. Another aspect of a strong college resume format will have clear sections with strong headlines. Additionally, the best college resume format will include bulleted lists where appropriate. 

We will look at the college resume format in action as we review some college resume examples and college resume templates. 

College resume examples

As we review our sample college resume, we will explain how to use it to craft your own college resume when you apply to college. Use this sample college resume as a reference point for your resume for college. Then, adapt it to fit your own unique needs. 

We will discuss the sample college resume in the next two sections of this article. As we review the sample college resume, pay particular attention to what makes this college resume clear and effective. You can use this sample college resume as a college resume builder while you apply to college. 

At first glance, you can see that this college resume is organized. This resume for college has clear sections and a concise structure. What makes this college resume clear and effective is its formatting, language, and length. Be sure to incorporate these same elements into your own high school resume as you apply to college. 

Remember, this sample college resume is just one of many college resume examples available. Figure out what you like best about this sample college resume and use it to craft your own college resume. 

Sample college resume – What works? 

The key features of this sample college resume are its formatting, language, and length. Focusing on these in your own college resume will ensure that your resume for college stands out. 

Clear delineated sections

The formatting in this college resume works so well because it includes clearly delineated sections and organized by year. Keeping your information and experiences organized by year is an effective format for a resume for college applications. 

Simple and straightforward language

Another feature of this college resume that works well is the language. There is clear language and details throughout this resume for college that provide context for each role and accomplishment. For example, each of the work experiences in this high school resume feature a brief description of the student’s role and duties/responsibilities. 

Concise structure

Additionally, this resume for college application features a concise structure that helps the reader clearly understand the purpose of each section. The descriptions within this college resume are brief but comprehensive. Having a concise structure and clear language throughout your college resume is key. 

The final key feature that works well in this college resume is the length. This resume for college is just one page in length. Ideally, you want your college resume to fit on one page, but that is not a hard and fast rule. If you have a wealth of experiences and extracurriculars for college, your college resume can go over the typical one-page length. 

Even though this high school resume is a little over one page, it does not have any irrelevant details or extraneous information on it. As you begin writing your college resume, be sure to only include relevant details on it. 

As you learn how to write a college resume, keep track of what features work well and incorporate them into your own college resume. If you are unsure if the sample college resume will work for your college resume, don’t worry. There are plenty of college resume examples and college resume templates to choose from as you are applying to college. 

College resume template

There are multiple college resume examples that you can review as you start your college resume or college application letter . Looking at a college resume template can help you decide on the formatting, language, and length that works best for you. 

Hunter College has a web page with college resume examples and college resume templates. Use it as a resource as you build your high school resume. 

If possible, you should avoid using form templates as you construct your college resume. Instead, think of the college resume template as a guide. You should aim to format your resume for college in the way that works best for you. 

It’s best to be a bit unique as you create your high school resume. Looking at a college resume template can help you find your own distinct style. You can also incorporate different aspects from a college resume template into your own college resume. 

However, be sure to avoid any hard-to-read fonts or unnecessary details in your formatting as you learn how to write a college resume. While your resume shouldn’t look like it was made using a stock college resume template, it also should not be overly crowded.

College resume builder

There are also college resume builder resources, like this one from Wheaton College , that will help students build their college resumes. You can use a college resume builder to format your own resume for college. 

At CollegeAdvisor.com, we host webinars on topics that help you apply to college. We have a webinar on how to write a resume for college, with plenty of college resume examples. We also have a webinar with advice from former Admissions Officers on how to build your college resume. 

Once again, you should generally avoid a pre-formatted college resume builder or college resume template. Instead, use these college resume examples as a jumping off point as you begin the college admissions process. 

Formatting your high school resume yourself makes it easier to make any quick edits or fix any formatting quirks. If you were to use a college resume builder or college resume template, these adjustments may be a challenge. 

Build your College Resume in 5 Simple Steps

Having examined some college resume examples, let’s review 5 simple steps for how to write a resume for college. 

Five Steps to Build your College Resume

Make an accurate list of your experiences, awards, education, and qualifications. You will use this list as the outline for your resume for college. 

Choose the best college resume format for the job. Before you finalize your choice of college resume format , review a college resume template or college resume examples for guidance. Then, create a resume header for your college resume. 

Add your accurate information by section on your resume for college. Reference the college resume examples you reviewed previously to choose the sections you will use on your high school resume. Organize each list by year, placing the most recent item at the top of your resume for college. Be sure to separate your extracurricular experiences from your awards/honors, creating two lists (or more if necessary). 

Format your lists to be clear and readable , and add your name and contact information as the header of your college resume. 

Ask a friend, family member, or mentor to copy edit your resume for college! Having another set of eyes on your high school resume will help you create the strongest resume for college possible. 

How to write a college resume – Final Thoughts

In this article, we reviewed how to write a college resume. As we discussed the purpose of a college application resume, we examined college resume examples and described key features that work in a college resume. We hope the college resume examples we featured in our article on how to write a resume for college help you craft your high school resume as you apply to college.

Need help crafting the perfect college application resume? CollegeAdvisor.com can teach you how to write a resume for college. Register for a free CollegeAdvisor.com account and receive access to hundreds of articles and webinars. These resources will help you craft your college resume as you begin applying to college.

This article was written by  Claire Babbs . If you want to get help with your college applications from Claire or other  CollegeAdvisor.com  Admissions Experts , click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Resume Examples College Student Resume

College Resume Examples & Writing Tips

Check out our college resume examples, writing tips, and template below to see how to fill up a resume without much (or any) on-the-job experience, and don’t forget to pair your resume with a college student cover letter to complete your application.

College resume template (text format)

College resume examples for different situations, 4 tips on how to write a college student resume.

College Resume Template (Text Format)

FIRST AND LAST NAME

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (123) 456-7891

Address: Street, City, State

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile

RESUME OBJECTIVE

Dedicated college student seeking to leverage my experience in [relevant abilities] to fill the [Job Title] position. Hold a [degree/diploma/certification] in [Degree/Diploma/Certification Title]. Skilled at [2–3 relevant skills]. A [adjective #1] and [adjective #2] worker aiming to contribute to the success of [Company Name].

GPA: 3.X/4.0 (optional) Latin honors (if applicable)

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

• Include a bulleted list of your achievements in this job or internship
• Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “develop” or “manage”) to grab attention
• Use the present tense for your current job or internship, unless describing a completed project or initiative
• Use hard numbers when possible to quantify your accomplishments in the job or internship
• Mention how you’ve used some of the job-relevant skills listed in your skills section to demonstrate your mastery of these abilities
• List relevant accomplishments from your previous role, internship, or volunteer position
• Use past tense verbs to describe your work (assuming you no longer hold this position)
• Include 3–6 bullet points for each role, both your current one and previous ones
• Skip the pronoun “I” and begin directly with a verb
• Although you’ll usually list work experience, feel free to include relevant internships as well as any volunteer work and extracurricular activities if you lack formal work experience

SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• List skills and certifications relevant to the job or internship you’re applying for
• Look at the job description for ideas of the skills the employer wants and that are common in the industry you’re trying to break into
• Emphasize job-specific hard skills and technical skills in this section
• Be as specific as possible by including names of tools, equipment, and software you’ve mastered that are used in your target industry

Our team of career experts has put together these college student resume samples to use as references when writing your own:

College student resume for an internship

This college student resume sample is specifically designed to target internship opportunities. By highlighting relevant extracurricular activity experience and relevant coursework , the writer demonstrates essential skills and academic accomplishments that qualify them for the internship they want:

Example highlights

• Eye-catching design: This resume’s unique layout, accent font, and pops of color ensure that hiring managers will notice key elements like their relevant marketing skills.
• Hard numbers: The candidate quantifies achievements on their resume where possible, providing verifiable evidence of their marketing skills and accomplishments – like increasing engagement rates and website traffic.

University student resume

Highlighting your academic achievements, relevant projects, and real-world skills can make your resume stand out. For example:

• Strong objective: This student wrote a concise, yet effective resume objective that highlights their key skills, immediate goals, and sincere interest in the internship opportunity. Enthusiasm and eagerness to learn are highly valued by employers, especially for internships and entry-level roles where candidates don’t yet have real-world experience.
• Thorough projects section: The student includes details about several projects on their resume where they learned skills that are transferable to entry-level engineering jobs.

Current college student resume

Our current college student resume example shows the essential elements to include to land that first post-college job.

• Prominent education section: For recent or soon-to-be graduates with limited work experience, the education section is often the part of their resume that makes the best case for them to get hired. Placing this section at the top draws immediate attention to the candidate’s academic achievements, honors, and relevant coursework.
• Includes volunteer work: The candidate includes volunteer work on their resume , which shows dedication and willingness to go the extra mile.

First-year college student resume

Seeking internship opportunities, part-time employment, or guidance for future career endeavors? This example can serve as a guide to help you demonstrate your potential to employers despite your limited work history:

• Includes projects: This student details a project from a class and one independent project. These two examples show employers that the candidate has experience applying technical skills to work, and also demonstrate their dedication to learning outside the classroom.
• Concise and well-organized: Despite being a first-year student with limited experience, the resume is well-structured, easy to read, and effectively conveys the relevant information an employer or internship coordinator would seek.

Sorority resume

Use our sorority resume example as a guide to maximize your chances of receiving a bid from your top choice.

• Polished headshot: The headshot shows a bit of personality and allows potential sororities to put a face to the name.
• Includes community service: The candidate includes volunteer work that underscores her community engagement.

College freshman resume

Take a look at our college freshman resume example to help increase your chances of landing a summer job or internship.

• Includes relevant coursework: Listing relevant coursework showcases the student’s academic background in their major.
• Lists academic honors: Mentioning National Honors Society membership shows the candidate’s academic achievement.

Resume for a college application

Use our college application resume example to guide you when writing your own resume.

• Excellent academic record: The student features their high SAT score and GPA prominently, demonstrating strong academic performance and readiness to attend an elite university.
• Well-rounded activities: Extracurricular activities show the applicant is dynamic and engaged both in and out of the classroom.

Recent college graduate resume

Use our recent college graduate resume example as a reference to help you land that all-important first job after graduation.

• Wide-ranging skill set: The candidate’s diverse skill set suggests that they are well-rounded and adaptable.
• Research experience: The senior seminar project shows the candidate’s ability to carry out research, analyze results, and present their findings, all of which are important skills for a political research assistant position.

Grad school resume

An effective grad school resume improves your chances of getting accepted into your dream master’s program. For example:

• Relevant volunteer work: Campaigning, get-out-the-vote initiatives, and collaborating with the university’s Political Science department show the candidate’s strong interest in the field outside the classroom.
• Featured education section: The education section showcases the candidate’s Bachelor’s degree, with an expected graduation date that aligns with standard grad school application timelines.

Scholarship resume

Check out our scholarship resume example to help you create a resume that’s sure to impress any scholarship panel.

• Highlights academic experience: The list of relevant coursework demonstrates the candidate’s dedication to their area of interest.
• Relevant skills: All of the skills listed are valuable for a music student to have.

Undergraduate resume

This undergraduate resume example shows how to effectively highlight your unique skills, achievements, and potential as a dedicated and capable employee.

• Describes projects: The candidate elaborates on relevant coursework projects, showing their practical experience and academic accomplishments.
• Unique achievements: The resume includes unique accomplishments like starting an Instagram page and recruiting new hires, demonstrating initiative and leadership abilities.

Whether you’re entering the workforce or preparing a grad school resume to continue your academic career, this guide will show you how to write an offer-worthy resume.

1. Emphasize your education

Getting a degree is a full-time job. Employers understand this, but it’s up to you to explain how your education makes you qualified for the position you want.

You should include the following details in your education section:

• University name
• Major and level of degree (i.e., Bachelor’s or Master’s)
• School location (city and state)
• Anticipated graduation date (month and year)
• Your GPA (if it’s a 3.5 or above)
• Awards or honors
• Dean’s list (if received twice or more)

For example:

EDUCATION State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Security and Intelligence Concentration) Anticipated Graduation: May 20XX GPA: 3.7/4.0 Dean’s List: Fall 20XX, Spring 20XX

• Outstanding Achievement in Political Science (Awarded Spring 20XX)
• Excellence in Research Award (Awarded Fall 20XX)

Additionally, include relevant coursework you completed for your degree to show employers you have the background knowledge and qualifications required for the job or internship you’re applying for.

Here’s an example:

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science New York University, New York City, NY Graduated May 2023 GPA: 3.8/4.0

Relevant Coursework: International Politics, Economics, Public Polling, Data Analysis, Electoral Process

Honors: cum laude

Even if your degree is incomplete, it can still add value to your resume. Make sure you know how to list an unfinished degree on a resume , so you’re more hirable.

2. Write a compelling resume objective

Your college resume should begin with a resume objective that showcases your key skills and ends with a statement of your career goals. As a college student, your resume objective is a key part of your resume to differentiate yourself from other students or even people with work experience vying for the same position as you, so it’s important to get it right.

Here are some examples:

Resourceful college student studying business administration and seeking an internship in marketing, sales, or operations. Strong written and verbal communication skills developed through coursework. Passionate about innovation and eager to apply academic concepts in a real-world setting.

Quick-learning college student majoring in computer science pursuing a software engineering internship. Experienced in Java, Python, and web development with a passion for technology. Seeking opportunities to build professional experience and contribute to dynamic projects.

Innovative college student studying graphic design interested in an internship at [Marketing or Design Firm Name]. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and skilled in developing visually engaging and cohesive designs. Eager to apply creative talents and gain industry experience.

3. Swap out “Work History” for “Relevant Experience”

While you may not have years of work experience, that doesn’t mean you don’t have relevant experience that employers will find valuable.

To clarify to the hiring manager that you’re not listing professional work experience, change the title of your work experience section from “Professional Experience” to “Relevant Experience.” This change helps you emphasize your qualifications and provide a more accurate summary of your achievements and skills.

Choose experiences you can use to demonstrate job-specific skills, like:

• Volunteer work
• Internship experience
• Extracurricular activities
• Relevant coursework or projects
• Study abroad programs
• Hobbies and interests

Software Engineering Intern Bright Star Tech Solutions, New York, NY May 20XX – August 20XX

• Collaborated with a team of developers to design and implement new features for a cloud-based enterprise software solution using Java and Spring Boot
• Participated in Agile development processes, including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospective meetings
• Optimized application performance by identifying and resolving bottlenecks, resulting in a 25% reduction in response times
• Wrote comprehensive unit tests and conducted code reviews, ensuring high code quality and adherence to best practices

E-commerce Web Development Project Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY September 20XX – December 20XX

• Designed and developed a fully functional e-commerce website using React.js, Node.js, and MongoDB, featuring secure payment integration and responsive design
• Implemented advanced features such as user authentication, shopping cart functionality, and order tracking
• Optimized website performance and conducted thorough testing, resulting in a seamless user experience and a 95% user satisfaction rate

Machine Learning Research Project Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY September 20XX – December 20XX

• Conducted research on deep learning techniques for image recognition and classification, using TensorFlow and Python
• Trained and optimized convolutional neural network models on a large-scale dataset, achieving an accuracy rate of 92%
• Presented research findings at the university’s annual computer science symposium, receiving positive feedback from faculty and peers

Where possible, back up your experience with hard numbers. Adding verifiable data helps highlight your accomplishments by showing exactly how you contributed to a team or project through percentages, statistics, or monetary values.

• Improved freshman-level writing scores by 40% through group lessons as well as supplementary one-on-one tutoring
• Arranged and conducted interviews with 10+ individuals, ranging in profession from librarians to actors to historians

Including hard numbers in your work experience is a great way to show hiring managers what you’re capable of. Plus, they’ll be impressed that an undergraduate student can quantify their achievements .

4. Include a diverse mix of skills

Finally, write a strong skills section that includes job-relevant hard skills.

The specific skills you’ll list will depend on the industry you’re trying to break into, but skills tied to digital literacy are always in demand. Hiring managers will appreciate seeing any of the following skills on your resume:

Here’s an example of a skills section for a graphic design student:

• Illustrator
• 3D modeling
• Motion graphics

You can also list any online certifications you’ve completed through independent study, like this:

CERTIFICATIONS

• Adobe Certified Expert – Photoshop August 20XX
• Adobe Certified Expert – Illustrator December 20XX
• UX/UI Design Certification – Interaction Design Foundation March 20XX
• W3Schools Responsive Web Design Certification May 20XX

Need additional inspiration? Take a look at our other student resume examples .

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How To Write A College Application Resume (With Examples)

• General Resume Examples
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Often college applications ask for or recommend including a resume . But how do you write a resume if you’re still in high school and have minimal work experience?

In this article, we’ll go over what to include in a college admissions resume, as well as an example resume you can use as a reference.

Key Takeaways

Include your contact information, education, and any work or volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, or other achievements on your college application resume.

A college application resume gives college admissions boards a quick overview of what you’d bring to their school.

Use your college application resume to highlight any unique skills, interests, or achievements that you believe make you stand out as an applicant.

What to Include in a College Admissions Resume

Example of a high school resume for college applications, how to build a college application resume, why write a resume for a college application, tips for writing an effective resume for a college application, final thoughts.

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Your college admissions resume highlights your most important professional or academic achievements and involvements. Include only high school experiences or achievements, unless there is an exceedingly impressive exception.

If you take a little time and brain energy to create a great, well-organized high school resume, your future self will thank you . Your resume can be saved as a template and record of your experiences and built upon during and after your time in college , or even fashioned into a great cover letter .

You could include any of the following sections; feel free to combine similar sections as necessary:

A Header With Your Contact Information (Required). Name, email address, and address.

Education (Required). Graduation date, weighted GPA, class rank, standardized test scores (ACT/SAT).

Achievements. Academic and scholastic awards, honors, medals, publications, and any other achievements.

Work. Summer jobs, part-time jobs, or entrepreneurship.

Volunteer Work. Community service, long and short term volunteer commitments, and any work you weren’t paid for.

Extracurricular Activities. Sports, clubs, theatre, student government, and other involvements.

Projects. Art projects, web or technology projects, activism, and any impressive creation of your own.

Leadership Positions. Include any activity or title in which you served as a leader or mentor .

Special Skills. Fluently-spoken languages , coding, web-developing, or other skills that set you apart.

Interests. Hobbies, creative activities, interests , and passions.

This example can be used as a rough guide for structuring your high school resume. You can use it as inspiration in creating your own resume, or you could even have a little bit of fun practicing by using this template to write yourself a resume to Hogwarts .

However you choose to do it, you can refer back to this example to create the perfect high school resume:

Elizabeth Bueno 216 Old Charlotte Hwy. Asheville, NC 28803 | Email: [email protected] | Phone: (219) 886-2538 EDUCATION: Asheville High School 2016-2020 GPA: 4.2/4.5 Graduated second in a class of 200 students Participated in post-secondary college classes from grades 9-12 ACHIEVEMENTS: Won first place in North Carolina State Legal Writing Competition Published two Op-Eds in Asheville Citizen-Times Achieved perfect attendance during all four years of high school VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: Served as a volunteer animal companion at Asheville East Animal Shelter, a weekly commitment from grades 10-12 EXTRACURRICULARS: Co-captain of Asheville High School Women’s Lacrosse Team, from Fall 2018 – Spring 2020 Participated in drama club four hours per week from grades 9-12 Won lead roles in two high school theater productions HOBBIES: Avid reader and writer . Read, logged, and reviewed over 100 books on my literature-devoted Instagram (@Lizreadsbook) Pursued passion for animal welfare by becoming a registered dog foster-parent

How your resume looks is ultimately your decision and plays a part in demonstrating your unique character. However, it’s best to stick with the following conventions for an organized and professional look :

Include Contact Information. Such as your name, email, phone number, address, and any other relevant information so that they can reach out to you if needed.

Include at Least Three Sections. Seeing as though you are a high school student applying to a college, one of these sections will need to be an “education” section , and this will have to be the star of the show.

Use Bullet Points. Organize the different items on your list in a clean, easily understandable way with bullet points.

Use Active Verbs. Begin each bullet point with an action word that describes the kind of work you did or do to help the readers create a concrete picture in their head. Use a variety of engaging verbs.

Have a Clear Organization. Use an organizational structure that is easy to follow and highlights your best achievements. A great standby is reverse-chronological order (listing most recent first).

Keep it Consistent. The formatting and style need to be consistent throughout. Use the same font (something like Helvetica works great), and be consistent with capitalization, punctuation, and spacing throughout each section.

Your resume will give college admission boards a quick look at your academic achievement, jobs, leadership roles , awards, creative endeavors, special hobbies, and interpersonal skills , as well as showcasing your presentation and writing capabilities.

The purpose of this resume is to demonstrate that you are the right fit for a college environment. They want to know that you can thrive in their academic and social environment, and they want to see how dedicated you are to their university.

You may be a bit stressed now, thinking, “I don’t have any skills or experience to show off,” but you probably have more to work with than you think. Any experience, hobby, interest, or achievement that is significant to you can be fashioned into a great high school resume.

Use Specific Details. Include the details of your experiences to help colleges understand them better and make your resume stand out .

Show Off Unique Things That Didn’t Make it into The College Essay. Colleges have to process a tremendous amount of applicants, especially colleges with a prestigious reputation. Half the battle of your application is standing out from the crowd and establishing yourself as a one-of-a-kind candidate .

Highlight One or Two Commitments You Were Really Involved in. Rather than overloading your resume with every extracurricular, club, or activity you did for a short time or were semi-involved with, showcase the commitments you were deeply involved with.

Be Concise and Direct. You don’t have to mention everything you’ve ever done, and, in fact, you really shouldn’t. Including every small-time hobby, achievement, or commitment clogs up your resume and makes it more difficult to see and recognize the areas where you really shine.

Have The Right Formatting. The contents of your resume will only impress if you have an organized, visually appealing format and layout.

Keep your resume to one page , and organize it by section headings with bullet points underneath . Make sure it is easy to follow and understand with a clear organizational structure. Use consistent tenses on your resume.

Don’t Exaggerate or Make Up Details. Colleges want to use your application to get to know who you are, so don’t include inaccuracies or misleading information. Your prospective college can verify any information that seems inconsistent and it doesn’t reflect well on you.

Proofread, and Let Someone Else Read it Over. Your final step is to proofread and then proofread again. Be sure the spelling and grammar are spot-on so that you make a professional first impression . If you are using this resume to apply to multiple colleges, be sure to include all the correct college information.

Don’t Neglect the Rest of Your Application. While creating a resume is the large majority of the work, organizing your application process is crucial. Keep track of the deadlines and due dates for all of your prospective colleges, and make a plan for when and how to submit your final resume and application.

Use a Professional Email Address. If you don’t have a professional-sounding email address, make one. In fact, it can be helpful to have an email address dedicated to college applications so that you don’t miss anything.

Resumes aren’t just for landing the right job; they can also help you get admitted to your dream school. A high school resume highlighting your academic achievement, volunteer or work history, extracurriculars, and interests can help colleges get to know you in a personal and professional way.

The main goal of submitting a high school resume to a prospective college is to show off your unique and distinguished character and prove you are the type of student who will go on to make your alma mater proud. If this doesn’t sound like you, that’s okay. Crafting your resume is all about bringing out the best and most professional in yourself.

High school resumes can also be given to teachers or others for help in writing letters of recommendation , and they can even be used in landing you a part-time job or summer internship .

After you’ve started college, you can save your high school resume and update it for help in applying to internships or getting a job after you’ve graduated .

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Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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How to Create a Resume for a College Application

Learn how to build a college application resume

Writing a college application resume that's geared toward the school you want to attend can help you win over the admissions committee and earn you a spot in the "accepted" pile. Once you're in college, you can update and use the same resume to apply for internships and jobs for the next phase of your career. Like most resume writing, the most important (and difficult) part is getting started.

Elements of a Resume for a College Application

Your resume should give undergraduate admissions committees a brief rundown of your grades, past jobs, awards, leadership activities and presentation skills, and creative capabilities like music, art, writing, or interpersonal skills.

The purpose of the resume is to demonstrate that you have what it takes to succeed academically and socially at the college. To that end, the resume should usually include the following items to paint a complete picture of you: 

• Heading: Include all your personal information, including your name, address, phone number, and email address. If you have a personal website that showcases achievements relevant to your career goals, you may want to include it in this section.
• Academic profile: List your high school and the dates you attended on your resume for a college application. Include your specific class ranking or a general percentage ("graduated in the top 10% of the class") if you think it will strengthen your application. Also highlight any advanced coursework you've completed, such as Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
• SAT/ACT scores: List the highest score if you took the test more than once.
• Co-curricular activities: Include any school-affiliated clubs, musical groups, or sports teams you took part in.
• Extracurricular activities: Mention out-of-school groups or activities in which you participated (babysitting, for example). They, along with your co-curricular activities, will show that you have a diverse background and aren't one-dimensional.
• Employment history: This can include part-time jobs at businesses as well as internships, research experiences, job shadowing, summer programs, and study abroad programs.
• Skills: Include any languages you are fluent in, computer skills, software skills, and soft skills like leadership or communication to increase the odds that you will get accepted.
• Volunteer experience : Having volunteer experience on a resume for a college application shows that you care about the world around you and are willing to work for the betterment of your community.
• Recognition: List the achievements you are most proud of, including any honors or awards.
• Hobbies and interests: Focus on hobbies that are indirectly related to your intended degree program (photography for a media program or travel for an international relations program, for example).

You don't have to include all the above items in your resume, but include any that would make you the most attractive candidate for the program.

Study up on Your Intended School

Most schools look for applicants who completed rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. But if you're applying to a specialized school, it may have unique requirements that you should include in your resume. For example, a performing arts conservatory may require applicants to have substantial prior artistic training.

In addition, while most schools don't ask you to declare your major in advance of admission, some large universities require prospective freshmen to declare the division of the school where they intend to obtain a degree. That particular division may have unique expectations of applicants that should be highlighted in a resume. For example, an engineering division may expect incoming freshmen to have completed physics or a certain number of years of general laboratory science.

The best way to determine what your school and intended degree program require is to review the website for undergraduate admissions, and, if applicable, the division of the school where you intend to obtain your degree. Including the recommended criteria mentioned there in your resume will prove to admissions committees that you're qualified.

Tips for Writing an Effective Resume for a College Application

When you're ready to write your resume, follow these tips to stand out in the admissions process:

• Be concise and direct. Don't use flowery language. Remember: You're trying to impress the admissions committee with your credentials, not with your prose. Save that for the college essay.
• Limit your resume to one page. After all, you don't have that much experience yet. If you absolutely must go to two pages, you should have enough content to cover a good portion of the second page.
• Mention unique experiences. They will help set you apart from other candidates.
• Don't embellish your background or accomplishments. Making up or exaggerating things on your resume can be damaging.
• Use active rather than passive voice. Say that you "helped triple the number of customers for the lawn mowing business from 10 to 30" and not that "the number of customers was doubled," for example.
• Emphasize specific achievements over general responsibilities. For example, rather than say you "tested water samples," say that you "researched, wrote, and presented laboratory findings of water quality using samples from Hovey Pond in Chelsea, Massachusetts."
• Proofread the resume several times. This will help you catch spelling and grammar mistakes, which can cause your resume to be rejected no matter how accomplished you are. Try leaving the resume for a day before going back to proofread it. Likewise, scan the resume from bottom to top to catch any remaining errors or typos. You only get one chance to leave a great first impression.
• Have one or more people look at your resume before you send it out. This will help you avoid glaring omissions or errors.

Provide anyone who has agreed to write a recommendation on your behalf with a copy of your resume so they are better prepared to discuss your background.

Resume Formatting Tips

Although the look of your resume is up to you, there are a few general organizational and appearance guidelines you should follow:

• Arrange your educational and work experiences in descending order. You should begin with your most recent experience and work your way back in time as you move down the page.
• Use bullet points so that your resume looks clean and can be scanned easily. Begin each bullet with an action verb, and don't repeat verbs. If you use "Studied" in one bullet point, find another word for your next bullet point.
• Employ a consistent style. For example, if you use abbreviations, commas in lists of items, or title case capitalization for section headings, stick with the same format throughout your college application resume. The same applies to dates and the use of bold font and italics. Keep the spacing and the font style the same between sections.

College Application Resume Template Examples

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.

• GPA: 3.85/4.0
• Graduated third in a class of 425 students
• Attended Harvard University ‘s Summer Pre-Law Program

Experiences:

• Co-Curricular Activities:
• Treasurer, Student Government Association, Grades 9-12
• Captain, Soccer Team, St. George’s High School, Laramie, WY, Fall 20XX– Spring 20XX
• Volunteering:
• Fundraiser, Make A Wish Foundation, 20XX
• Volunteer, Domestic Violence Shelter, 20XX

The Bottom Line

Your resume for a college application should be a brief snapshot of you at this point in your life—ideally no more than one page long. Make it memorable but also easy to scan and understand to put your best foot forward.

Finally, be yourself—don't exaggerate or make information up. But do include all the experiences and accomplishments needed for the admissions committee members to form an accurate impression of you so that they can accept you without hesitation.

Related: Best Resume Writing Services

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Best College Application Resume/CV with Examples [Resume Writing Guideline]

To get admitted by the dream colleges, all applicants have to go through complicated college application processes, including school/department selection, preparing entrance exams, interviews, and so on. Many high school graduates are busy preparing required documents during the college admission period. A resume for college application is important as it is the most direct way that the university can have profound insights into applicants. Your resume for college applications can show not only your abilities and personalities but also clear views of your experiences. 

In this article, we will share with you all tips to write the perfect resume for college application.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Five Steps to Write a Resume for College Application

What to put on an academic resume for college application, tips for writing the best college application resume for high school students, how to pick the best resume template for college application, college application resume example, step 1: conduct research on the desired school and the major..

Applicants should gain more information before initializing the application processes via the internet. Browse web pages that compare each college and major curriculum. They introduce the differences between majors under the same department, or describe the student life studying in a specific college, allowing senior students to develop interests in universities and majors to different extents.

💡 On top of that, inquiring current students of the interested schools and departments is also helpful as they can solve questions rapidly and effortlessly.

Step 2: Choose a suitable college application resume format.

Firstly, verify the personal profile required. Some colleges ask the applicants to submit a college application CV (curriculum vitae) instead of a resume.

If you are applying to such colleges, you are expected to write an article that is lengthier than a college application resume while providing a detailed list of comprehensive past experiences. On the other hand, several resume formats for college admission have been adopted worldwide in recent years.

💁‍♂️ Choosing appropriate layout when structuring a college admission resume according to your situation may work since different forms highlight different aspects of an applicant.

Step 3: Look up resume templates & resume examples online as references.

Many resources such as college admission resume examples and templates are accessible online nowadays. Refer to them and create your unique style of academic resume for college applications.

Step 4: Tailor your resume according to the school and the major. 

Although you have prepared basic structure and content for all schools/departments applied, remember to customize every resume for college applications you upload because they may contain unrelated elements and deduce marks.

Step 5: Proofread.

Remember to check again before submitting the file of the student resume for college application. Proofread your articles to avoid grammatical or vocabulary errors. Some mistakes, such as misplacement of the content and typos, may cause severe problems to the professors when screening your materials.

❗ Proofread your articles to avoid grammatical or vocabulary errors.

1. Personal & contact information

On the top of your student resume for college application, make sure you put your full name, basic contact information such as phone number, brief address (i.e., city, state, and country is enough), and email address. 

Additionally, if you have your website or blog, feel free to share the link in this part so that the college will have higher chances to observe your potential upon reading your college application resume.

2.  Resume objective

Three concise and professional sentences for the objective for college admission resume are enough to reflect what you can contribute or bring to the college if getting admitted. 

Highlighting your goals, briefly showing your traits, and even including fun facts about you that can amaze professors is adequate to attract interviewers’ attention. They will have more intention to read through your objective for a college admission resume.

High school final-year student with enthusiasm to study in Biomedical Science at University of Kangaroo. Engaged in three international science fairs, two biology seminars and one internship in a laboratory. Currently participating in two research projects of Koala conservation.

3. Education

List out the details of your secondary school, its locations (city & country), graduation year, and GPA. If you graduate with honors or awards, have taken elective courses, or have obtained qualifications, mention them in this section. 

4. Work experience

Only write down work experiences that are relevant to the major you want to study. Suppose a specific work experience is highly related to your development of personality or abilities. In that case, it is also acceptable that you specify it and connect it with other elements in your university application resume.

To bear out proposed skills, link them to experiences. For example, you can describe how you lead a school club with 30 members to show your leadership skills; you can illustrate how you deal with emergencies with problem-solving skills. 

Kindly be reminded that you can indicate imperative numbers in an activity as information. For instance, it will be better that you write “Held two inter-class sports contests with 200+ participants” than “Held two big inter-class sports contests.” 

With numbers, the department can easily imagine how significant and influential your contributions are, and thus your skills stand out from all resumes for high school students applying to college.

Team Management / Managed a team of 10 members and held two inter-class scientific competitions. Got a 70% satisfaction rate from the feedback of teammates at the end of the term.

6. Extracurricular activities

To perform as many aspects of you as possible to the college, try to diversify the extracurricular activities in your college application resume. 

These activities include serving as a volunteer, joining clubs and student unions, engaging in all varieties of competition, etc. Engaging in these events shows your passion for broadening horizons and discovering yourself.

Actively took part in Photo Club in high school. Collaborated with excellent photographers and learned Photoshop skills.

7. Awards & honors

In addition to the graduation honors, if you have any other academic/non-academic achievements during high school, you can also raise them in the college application resume. You can showcase your competencies with these achievements, but don’t forget to attach certificates or proofs in the supporting document part.

2021 / Awardee of Jonathan Scholarship of Excellence

8. Hobbies & interests

For college application resumes for high school students, it is suggested that students reveal their hobbies if adequate or special enough. 

Colleges peculiarly select students. They want new students with outstanding academic performances and the potential to grow or have specialties. 

That’s why your interests mentioned in the resume or curriculum vitae for college application may be the key to get you’re your dream university. 

Photography - as it enables me to observe the world surrounding me in another point of view.

CakeResume provides the best free resume builder for all students and job seekers. With our rich and free resume template library & examples , you can instantly create a resume and a portfolio, and enter your dream college with a strong resume (free download)!

Create resume

Tip 1: Customize the resume for the school.

As above-mentioned, take care of all colleges and departments’ differences and generate tailor-made academic resumes for college applications. 

In addition to potential errors such as forgetting to change the name of the college/department, tailoring the college admission resume can show that you have conducted research and put lots of effort into the application processes.

Tip 2: Highlight what makes you unique.

After a primary screening of all applicants’ backgrounds, applicants who get into the second-round selection have similar academic experiences. 

💡 To beat your potential competitors, choose what differentiate you, and share them in the following interview or your resume for college applications. In this way, you may seize the opportunity to be admitted before your competitors.

Tip 3: Unify the content

Unify the word style and content of your resume for college applications before you finalize it. Any inconsistency or contradiction within the paragraphs may confuse the interviewers.

Once they show interest in you and entirely screen your college application resume, it would be a pity if such accidents occur and cause mark deduction.

Tip 4: Quantify results on resumes.

Quantified results provide comparable and transparent information that admissions tutors can browse.

They are measurable and thus easy for the department to judge applicants’ performances. The chances that the college ignores essential elements of a college admission resume are also reduced.

Tip 5: Adopt resume action words (verbs).

Particular vocabularies and terms are widely adopted when writing a college application resume. When it comes to verbs, resume action words are professional and specific. 

💡 For example, to replace “created,” you can use “initiated,” ”implemented,” “introduced,”; to replace “increased,” “enhanced,” “expanded,” “boosted” are all very nice words. 

🔍 Try to search “word + synonym” on the internet. You’ll be able to discover a large variety of substituting resume action words.

How long should a college application resume be?

 Similar to a typical resume, a resume for college admission should only last for 1 page. Nonetheless, if you still have high-quality stories or valuable experiences after filling in the first page, it’s still acceptable to add a second page.

What is the best font to use in a resume for college admission?

The unwritten rule is that the font size of normal text should be set in 11-12 pt for college admission resume, while the headings are 14-16 pt.

What format should a resume for college applications be in, Word or PDF?

Avoid submitting any college application materials in Word format. Saving your college application resume in Word format may make a mess of formatting.

Lisa Chen +886-975678900 [email protected]

High school graduate aiming to study at University of Mango to gain insightful and cutting-edged FinTech knowledge in a top-tier university while making use of strong competencies.

Work Experience

Finance Intern in Orange Corp.

2021 Summer

• Inputted financial data and observed the growth of financial situation of more than 10 clients from FMCG industry
• Successfully predicted two potential financial failures for a company

Finance Intern in Office of International Affairs of High School

2019 - 2020

• Produced three charts per week regarding school’s financial sustainability 
• Was selected as student representative for high school annual financial conferences 

Taipei Municipal Apple High School  Awarded The Mayor's Award   2019 - 2022

Extracurricular Activities

2020: Cheerleader Captain – Led a 15-people cheer-leading squad and organized three team-building activities

2018: Participated in International Exchange Program with Seoul First High School

Awards and Honors 

2020 FinTech Competition – Second Runner Up

2019 Marketing Case Competition – First Runner Up

Hobbies and Interests

• Programming

--- Originally written by Chen Fu-Yen ---

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How to Write a Resume for a College Application

These tips can increase your chances of getting accepted..

If you’re college-bound, you’ve made a great choice for your future, and a resume for a college application can help you make the grade—as in getting accepted. College graduates typically earn more , experience greater job satisfaction, and are less likely to face prolonged unemployment than those with less education.

Whether your resume accompanies your college application or you present it during an admissions interview, it can boost your chances of getting accepted into your preferred college or university. Follow these tips to write your college admissions resume.

Steps to Write a Resume for a College Application

1. customize the resume headline.

Positioned beneath your name and contact information, the headline is the place to state your goal, including the name of the college you’re applying to and your desired program of study (if known). If you’re applying to more than one college, customize the headline for each resume you send. For example:

2. Pitch Your Strengths in a Summary Section

After your headline, write a brief summary section that captures why you are an excellent candidate for admissions. Whether you format this section as a bulleted list or use paragraphs, the summary should convey who you are and where you want to go. For example:

• Upcoming graduate of St. Mary’s High School with a strong drive to excel. Maintained honor roll for the past three years, earned “Employee of the Month” at summer job, and held varsity soccer team captain position.
• Passionate entrepreneur named runner-up in statewide “Emerging Enterprisers” competition as co-inventor and marketing plan developer or a novel pet safety device.
• Highly driven professional eager to embark on entrepreneurial career, beginning with acceptance to UNC’s Business Administration B.S.B.A. degree program.

3. Position Education Prominently

Unless you’re applying to college after spending time in the workforce, the education section comes next on your resume for a college application. Once you’ve earned your degree and started your career, your education can be moved lower on the page beneath the experience section.

Besides the name and location of your high school and expected graduation date, include details that demonstrate academic achievement and involvement in school activities. Examples include:

• GPA and/or class ranking (if it’s top 25% or better)
• SAT/ACT scores
• Academic awards, honors, and scholarships
• Noteworthy coursework such as AP classes or courses related to your career goal
• Clubs or other extracurricular activities (include leadership roles, if applicable)
• Student government service (include offices held)
• Participation in sports teams, cheer squads, and music/theater groups

4. Include Experience—Paid and Unpaid

If you’re in high school, you likely don’t have much real-world work experience. But if you think about it, you probably have other unpaid experience to include, such as internships, externships, and volunteer service.

If you worked while in high school but are concerned that the jobs are irrelevant, you should still include them on your resume for a college application—admissions committees will be impressed by your work ethic. Highlight standout accomplishments versus day-to-day responsibilities. For example:

Dog Walker, 2020–2021

Found and grew popular dog-walking and pet-sitting business, providing daily exercise and loving care for neighborhood pets. Ensured that all dogs were safe at all times and having fun.

Key accomplishments:

• Built a loyal base of repeat clients, winning praise for reliability, rapport with pets, and positive attitude.
• Generated so many referrals that a waiting list was formed within eight weeks of business launch.

5. Add Additional Sections

You may have unique skills or activities that didn’t fit into the previous sections. At the bottom of your resume, add appropriate sections for technical proficiencies, foreign languages, other skills, hobbies, and interests. Focus on information that’s relevant to the course of study you intend to pursue in college. Check out this sample resume of a high school student for more guidance.

6. Follow Application Instructions

After writing your resume, carefully proofread it and ask teachers, guidance counselors, or other trusted professionals to review it as well. Your resume should now be in great shape and ready to go.

Remember that you might not be submitting a resume to every school—follow the college application instructions to the letter before submitting it. If the college admissions application doesn’t request a resume, bring it with you when you’re on campus for interviews—it will be a powerful leave-behind that’s sure to make a positive impression.

Resume Help Is One Click Away

Now that you’ve got a resume for a college application under your belt, you’ll want to make sure it looks professional. Need some assistance with that? Let Monster help you out with a free resume evaluation . We'll identify any weak spots so you can be better prepared for the inevitable job search that’s sure to follow.

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Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

6 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 you’re a full-fledged working adult, it’s 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 you’ve 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.

Which Schools Allow You to Submit Your Resume?

The schools allow you to submit your resume via the Common Application. This list is not exhaustive; it includes the top 20 universities and liberal arts colleges that allow you to do so.

•     Brown University
•     Claremont McKenna College
•     Cornell University
•     Dartmouth College
•     Johns Hopkins University
•     Northwestern University
•     University of Pennsylvania
•     Vanderbilt University
•     Vassar College
•     Washington and Lee University
•     Washington University in St. Louis

Should You Submit Your Resume?

It’s a good idea to submit your resume if there is important information you’re unable to include on the rest of your application, such as professional experiences or special projects.

If you don’t have something new to say, then you shouldn’t include a resume. That is, you shouldn’t regurgitate information the adcom can find elsewhere on your application. You can, however, use it as a space to expand on or illustrate accomplishments if you don’t feel you’ve been able to in the activities section or your essays.

How to Write a Resume for College Applications

1. include information you feel isn’t represented elsewhere..

As you’ll find in your career, not every experience relates to the opportunity you have at hand. When you enter the job market, you’ll learn to tailor your resume to specific positions based on how your work history relates to them. This is true of your college applications, too. For each experience you include, consider how it bolsters your overall profile — and only add the ones that do to your resume.

First, here’s the essential info you should include on your resume:

• Name and email address (no need to include your actual address)
• Education/high school info, like your GPA and test scores 

Other info you may include:

• Special projects related to your interests (if you’re a writer, this could be a list of pieces you’ve written with a description, or if you’re a programmer, you could also describe your projects).
• Publications (scientific, literary, etc.)
• Non-traditional coursework or academic activities (legitimate online certificates/courses, academic programs, etc.)
• Extracurriculars, hobbies, and skills and interests
• Professional and work experience
• Family responsibilities

2. Don’t rehash your activities section.

Again, don’t use this space to regurgitate information you’ve presented elsewhere on your application. Instead, it should be a space to share unique facets of yourself that don’t fit into other places.

For example, perhaps there’s a specific job you held that you couldn’t properly describe in the activities section. You can use this space to elaborate on the responsibilities you held. Or, as mentioned in the previous section, you can describe specific projects you’ve completed related to your interests. This is especially helpful for more self-driven pursuits, like independent writing.

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

3. Keep it brief (one page) and easy to read.

Your resume should be concise. Since you probably haven’t accumulated a significant amount of experience as a teenager, you should keep it to one page (if you’re an adult student, that’s a different story). At the same time, avoid using teensy font and ultra-slim margins to cram everything into a single page — the resume should be easy to scan and read. Remember: be selective to ensure you have enough room.

Part of making your resume readable means formatting it such that it’s presentable. Use space to your advantages, along with a clear system for organizing the information; the traditional format is chronological, but you may choose to use an alternative format instead. Use headings, too, and make sure your formatting is consistent throughout.

4. Use active and specific language.

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.”

5. Talk yourself up, but don’t be dishonest or unreasonable.

Some students are eager to share their accomplishments. If you’re ever going to talk yourself up, this is the time to do it. You can’t be shy or reluctant to, well, brag a little. Other students will be talking themselves up, and you don’t want it to appear as though you don’t have anything to show for yourself.

At the same time, be careful of hyperbolizing your achievements. Colleges can easily verify the facts on your resume. If your accomplishments seem unfathomable, it will raise a red flag. This will lead colleges to question other aspects of your application, too.

Just as you should with the rest of your application, you’ll need to proofread your resume many times to catch any errors or typos. You should also read it over for clarity and to ensure that it’s as concise as it can be.

If you can, get another set of eyes on your resume before you upload it to your application. A peer, teacher, or guidance counselor can help you make sure your achievements are coming across the way you want them to and that you’re presenting yourself authentically.

Looking for more general guidance on the college application process? CollegeVine is here to make it as seamless as possible. Our free platform allows you to see your chances of acceptance, get essay feedback from peers, and hear from experts in daily livestreams. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account to get started.

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How to Build a Resume for College Applications

Step 1: Brainstorm Things You’re Proud Of

Step 2: filter out irrelevant info, step 3: organize the remaining details, sample college application resume, frequently asked questions about college application resumes.

When going through the college application process, you may find some schools request a resume. You can write a great college resume by focusing on experiences that align with each program or university you apply to. Follow these three steps:

Jot down positive memories and details about your high school academics, extracurriculars, or other life areas. For instance, maybe you’re proud of participating in the debate team, ranking in the top 10% of your class, or teaching yourself HTML outside school. Here’s a list of areas to consider:

• Academics and education (high school GPA, class rank, honors, or awards)
• Community service
• Foreign language proficiency
• Hobbies and interests
• Internships
• Personal accomplishments, such as running a marathon
• SAT/ACT scores
• School clubs and societies
• Summer coursework
• Technical or computer skills
• Travel or study abroad experience
• Volunteer experience
• Work experience

Don’t be concerned if you only have information for a few of these areas. Also, it’s not yet crucial whether the information you’re generating is well organized or even relevant to your college application — we’ll get to that in Step 2. For now, just write everything down as it occurs to you. The only rule is that each detail must be something you’re generally proud of having done or participated in.

As you complete this step, keep the following tips in mind:

• Colleges and universities typically want students who are engaged, diligent, and curious about the world. They also like to see that a student can balance their school and non-school commitments. So when you’re brainstorming, view your experience through this lens and write down anything that speaks to your developing or showing these qualities.
• Restrict yourself to “I” statements, as in “I earned an A in Calculus. I did spring track all four years of high school. I was a server at Domino’s last summer. I helped my restaurant place No. 3 in the region for customer service….” This writing method forces you to focus on what you’ve done and achieved rather than possibly going off on tangents about other people and events that wouldn’t fit in your final resume.
• The college resume is a great place for information you can’t fit elsewhere in your application. In particular, if you’re filling out the online Common Application , strict character limits may keep you from giving as much detail as you’d like about a certain topic. So use your resume brainstorming to fill what would otherwise be an information gap in your overall application.

Once you’re done brainstorming, prepare a list of (unorganized) details about yourself that you feel good about. This isn’t a resume, but it is the best possible foundation for one. Next, go through and delete any details that don’t relate to your college application.

Review one item at a time, always asking yourself the same yes-or-no question: “Does this overlap with the types of things I’d like to do as a student at this college?” If your answer is no or probably not, delete that detail. Or at least move it to a different document for now — maybe it’ll make the cut on your application for another college.

To help find the right answer for each item you review, take cues from what you know about the school. Refer to their website, brochures, notes from the campus tour, or any other information that reminds you what the school is known for and what you’re most drawn to. For example, say you brainstormed many details about high school track and the race times you achieved. But the college in question doesn’t have a track program (or it does, but you don’t plan to join). You can pare back your high school track experience on your resume to the basics since it wouldn’t factor heavily into your attending this college. On the other hand, if you’re proud of doing track because it helped you gain a strong sense of collaboration that aligns with the college’s values, consider featuring this on your resume.

In all cases, remember your resume isn’t meant to be a comprehensive overview of your life experience. Instead, it’s designed to focus on those parts of your experience that help a college admissions officer see you’d be a strong addition to their campus community. View your brainstorming notes through that person’s eyes, and you’ll gain the best insight into what details you can safely leave out.

Group your remaining information into section categories (refer to the list in Step 1 if that helps). Then you’re ready to plug them into a template and finalize your resume. Keep these pointers in mind:

• If you brainstormed in “I” statements, in many cases, you could simply remove the pronoun “I,” and any articles (“a,” “an,” “the”) that appear later in the sentence. That will give you the desired “tight writing” style for resumes.
• Put your resume sections in order of their relevance to your college application. Completing Step 2 above should help you quickly determine which sections are generally most relevant. But know that in virtually all college applications, the most important area will be your high school education, so that should probably go first.
• Use any broader statements you’ve written about your general strengths and qualities as the basis for a profile summary at the top of your resume. Including a profile is a great strategy for any career stage or transition. It lets you call the reader’s attention first and foremost to your top strengths and experiences.

After completing these three steps, you’ll have a compelling resume that showcases all — and only — the details that can help you get into college and thrive there. What’s more, it will give you a solid idea of how you can build an effective, focused resume for the many career opportunities to come.

Joseph Corbin (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Philadelphia, PA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Diligent and engaged student with strong academic performance in high school, including an “A” average for mathematics. Excelled in leadership roles for multiple school athletics and extracurricular activities. Naturally curious and eager to explore new topics.

Graduate, Benjamin Franklin High School, Philadelphia, PA | August 2019 to June 2023 3.7 GPA | Top 10% of graduating class | “A” average in all mathematics classes, including AP Calculus SAT scores: 760 math, 680 verbal (1440 combined)

School Athletics and Activities 

Spring Track Team Co-Captain – Senior year

• Voted into a team leadership role; coordinated with the head coach to help organize meets and answer various questions from team members
• Served as a valued mentor and resource to underclassmen

Member – All four years

• Gained and demonstrated strong dedication and teamwork
• Helped team rank in the top four out of 18 high schools in the region for three consecutive years

Debate Team Member – Junior and Senior year

• Collaborated closely on a 10-person team to form and organize compelling debate arguments

Professional Experience

Host / Server, Domino’s Pizza, Philadelphia, PA | Summers 2020 and 2021

• Greeted visitors and took and served food orders in a fast-paced environment
• Proposed several changes to the order entry process for servers and delivery drivers, increasing efficiency and collaboration
• Helped restaurant place No. 3 in the region for customer satisfaction in July and August 2021

Hobbies and Interests 

Running | painting | avid reader (over six books per month)

Advanced proficiency in Spanish (“A-minus” average for all four years of high school)

Technical Skills

Microsoft Office (advanced Excel) | HTML

Should I write a resume for college applications? -

Yes. Creating a resume ahead of time gives you one less thing to worry about as you navigate the college app process. Even if you don’t end up using it directly, your college resume can help you clarify what areas or themes you’d like to emphasize in your application essay or interview. It will also give you a head start on applications for future entry-level or internship opportunities.

Does my college resume have to be one page? -

No. Rather than aiming for a certain resume length , focus on following the above process. Be diligent about deleting information that doesn’t speak to your desired college experience. In most cases, that will leave you with a one-page resume. But if you end up with two pages, don’t worry — it may just mean you have that much relevant information to share.

What template should I use for my college resume? -

For aspiring college students, a clear and straightforward resume template is best. Opt for a layout that lets the admissions officer quickly review your best details. Select a traditional resume font , and avoid any template with a colorful or elaborate design. Also, ensure the template complies with applicant tracking system (ATS) technology.

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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

• College Student Resume Examples and Templates Learn More
• High School Teacher Resume Examples and Templates Learn More
• Law School Application Resume Examples and Templates Learn More
• How To Ask for a Professional Reference Learn More
• How To Build a Good Resume for Graduate School Learn More
• Tips on Writing the Education Section of Your Resume Learn More

Essential Guides for Your Job Search

• How to Build a Good Resume for Graduate School Learn More
• How to List a Degree on a Resume Learn More
• How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume? Learn More
• How to Include Personal and Academic Projects on Your Resume Learn More

College Resume - Examples & Writing Guides for 2024

You’ve just sat down to write a college student resume.

An A+ resume that converts.

Whether you need a part-time job to cover your bills or a college internship for more experience, we are here to help.

This guide will take you through a simple step-by-step process of creating a college student resume. 

• An example of a finished college resume that works
• How to write a college resume that’ll fill up your interview diary
• How to make your college resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

For some added inspiration, here’s a college student resume example, created with our very own resume builder :

The above example gets serious results, and yours will too. Simply follow the steps below.

Check out some of these related resume examples that you might be interested in:

• No Experience Resume
• Internship Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Students and Graduates Resume
• High School Resume
• Teacher Resume

How to Format a College Student Resume

The first step when creating any resume is to pick the best resume format.

Formatting has a number of benefits, but mostly it allows the hiring manager to read your resume with ease.

The most common resume format for a college student is “functional” or “skill-based”, which allows the hiring manager to immediately see the benefits in hiring you. We recommend college students starting with this format.

Students will usually have stronger skills than their work history, which makes the functional resume a good choice. It’s also ideal for those who have gaps in their employment history.

Now that you have the best format, you need to organize your resume layout .

Use a College Student Resume Template

Before you go ahead with crafting your college student resume, you may want to use a college student resume template.

A resume that is neat and orderly will be a breeze for recruiters to read.

Oh, and it’s the best way to prevent formatting issues.

What to Include in a College Student Resume

The main sections in a college student resume are:

• Contact Information
• Volunteer Experience
• Extracurricular Activities

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification
• Personal Projects

Interests & Hobbies

But what should you write for each of these sections? Read on to find out.

Want to know more about resume sections? View our guide on What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Now, this section doesn’t require flair, but it must be factually correct. Messing up the contact section can mean the recruiter can’t contact you – oops! 

The contact information section must include:

• Title - In this case, “College Student” or “High-school Graduate”
• Phone Number – Proofread this multiple times
• Email Address – Use a professional email address ([email protected]), not one from your childhood ([email protected]).
• (Optional) Location - Applying for a job abroad? Mention your location.
• Abigail Pearce - College Student. 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Abigail Pearce - Student. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write a College Student Resume Summary or Objective

So, this is a job you really want.

This may even be a job you NEED.

However, your competition is fierce. 

And with so much competition, you need to convince the hiring manager within the first few sentences.

To do this, use a resume summary or objective .

These are short paragraphs that go on top of your resume, just under your contact information. They give an overview of your entire resume.

But what is the difference between the two sections?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

Dependable marketing sophomore with 1 year part-time experience in a marketing internship to oversee marketing campaigns that maximise profit. Experience includes PPC campaigns, SMM, web design, brand development, and more.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

Current undergraduate sophomore in marketing with hundreds of classroom hours in marketing and sales related courses. Passionate about maximizing revenue with effective marketing campaigns. Experience includes creating campaigns for my own personal projects in my first term at College X. Skilled in WordPress, Facebook Ads Manager, Photoshop, ClickFunnels, and more.

So, which one is best, summary or objective?

Those with some work experience should go with a resume summary. On the other hand, those who seriously lack work experience should go with a resume objective.

How to Make Your College Student Work Experience Stand Out

Recruiters like to feel confident that you can do the job. There is no easier way to do this than to list your work experience .

Here’s the best way to structure your work experience section:

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

The Pizza Cabin

03/2019 - 01/2020

• Served food to 40+ people a night and multiple tables at a time.
• Educated customers on menu items and daily specials.
• Received 98% positive customer feedback.
• Engaged customers in a personal, yet professional manner, which helped me to win “Employee of the Month” 4 times.

To separate your resume from the competition, you should focus on your achievements instead of daily tasks. This will allow the recruiter to see the obvious benefits in hiring you.

Instead of saying:

“Served customers”

“Served food to 80+ people a night and multiple tables at a time”

Simply, the first statement is way too vague. There zero chance the recruiter will be impressed by this.

The second statement shows that you were able to serve 80+ people and multiple tables at a time. This tells the recruiter that you are able to work under pressured conditions and to time constraints – impressive!

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Now, not every applicant will have worked in a similar job before.

If this is you, there is a simple way to get around this.

Simply call-upon crossover skills from any previous jobs.

For example, if you held a customer service role at a local pizza restaurant, you can talk about any crossover skills and experiences. Just like a sales associate, you would be able to show you used strong communication and sales skills.

As a student, make sure to check out our student resume guide!

How to Correctly List your Education

Next, it’s time to talk about your education.

Whether it’s a college junior resume or college sophomore resume, your education section is crucial.

There’s nothing too complicated with this section, just simply enter the information for your in-progress degree in the following format:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Expected Graduation
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

Majoring in Marketing

University of Chicago

2019 - Present

• Relevant Courses: Principles of Marketing, Managerial Communications, Quantitative Methods, and Macroeconomics.

Now, you may have some questions on this section. If so, here are the answers to some of the most frequent questions that we get:

• What if I haven’t completed education yet?

As we mention above, you should still mention your current place of education, despite not finishing yet

• Should I include my high school education?

If you have not yet finished your college degree, you should also include your high school education

• What do I put first, my education or experience?

Experiences are the priority, so those go first

Want more information? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 10 Skills for a College Student Resume

You’ve got all the skills.

But here’s the thing –

Your competition is well-skilled too!

Show the hiring manager that you’re the top candidate by listing your best skills.

But what are the best skills for a college resume?

Create a list of hard skills and soft skills that you have developed so far in life, such as the following:

Hard Skills for a College Resume:

• Microsoft Office
• Typing Speed
• Copywriting

Soft Skills:

• Creative Thinking
• Communication
• Time-Management
• Team Player
• Decision-Making

Tailor your skills to the job description. You can have the best skills in the world, but the recruiter won’t appreciate them if they’re not relevant to the job.

Here’s a more comprehensive list of 100+ must-have skills this year.

What Else Can You Include?

We’ve now covered every essential resume section .

But the school bell hasn’t rung just yet.

You need your resume to stand out!

Acing the above sections should be enough to get you shortlisted, but adding the following sections could give you a further advantage over the other applicants.  

Awards & Certifications

Have you ever won an award?

Have you completed any third-party courses?

Do you hold any specialized certifications?

Regardless of what it is, if there is anything that you’re proud of, be sure to include it here.

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• Food Handlers Card & Food Safety Manager Certification 
• “Critical Thinking Masterclass” – Coursera Course

Need to speak multiple languages at your new job?

Yes or no, being able to speak a second language is impressive.

And with so much competition, this could be the difference.

Add a language section if you have space. 

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

Now, you may be wondering, “why would a recruiter want to know that I’m a part of the football team?”

Well, it allows the recruiter to get to know who you are on a personal level.

But it doesn’t stop there…

Certain hobbies demonstrate that you have soft skills, like teamwork and communication. 

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Your resume should now be ready to send.

No application is complete without a convincing cover letter.

In opposition to a generic resume, a personalized cover letter shows that you care about working for this specific company .

Here’s how to structure a winning cover letter:

You should complete the following sections:

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, and location

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

It’s no secret that recruiters skim through their pile of resumes. As such, use concise language to mention:

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

With the recruiter intrigued, you can get deeper into the following specifics:

• Why you chose this specific company
• What you know about the company
• How are your top skills relevant for the job
• Which similar industries or positions have you worked in before

Closing Paragraph

Don’t just end the conversation abruptly, you should:

• Conclude the points made in the body paragraph
• Thank the recruiter for the opportunity
• Finish with a call to action. This is a good way to keep the conversation going. A simple “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help you achieve X” will work

Formal Salutations

End the letter in a professional manner. Something like, “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter .

Key Takeaways

Building a college resume doesn't have to be hard.

Follow the tips in this guide for a college resume that is head & shoulders above the competition. 

Here are our best tips on how to create a college resume:

• Make your resume easy to read by formatting it correctly. Prioritize the reverse-chronological format, and then follow the best practices on content layout
• Use a resume summary or objective to hook the recruiter
• In your work experience section, highlight your most notable achievements to date
• Include a convincing cover letter to separate you from the competition

Suggested Reading:

• How to Make a Resume with No-Experience [21+ Examples]
• 21+ Essential LinkedIn Profile Tips For Job-Seekers
• Use Resume Keywords to Land the Job [880+ Keywords]

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How to Write a Resume for Colleges Using Your Common App + Examples

While many college applications do not require a resume (and many outright ban them), knowing how to write a resume for college using your Common App is an incredible time-saving move for a high school senior. Making a college application resume will help you when applying for internships, jobs, and scholarships. In this guide, we'll provide tons of example college resumes, tips for how to format your resume, and even templates you can download and use right away .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Part 1: Do I Need to Send a Resume to Colleges?
• Part 2: How to Write a Resume for Colleges Using Your Common App
• Part 3: Additional resume tips and another awesome sample resume

Do I Need to Send a Resume to Colleges? (Part 1)

Before you start making a resume to send to colleges, you should first consider this important question:

Do I need to create and send a resume to colleges?

What do I mean? Well, a few things.  Ask yourself:

1. DO MY SCHOOLS EVEN WANT ME TO SEND THEM A RESUME? 

Find out by checking each university admissions web page or logging onto the Common App to see which schools include a place to upload a resume. Each school has a different policy on whether or not to submit a supplemental resume and it’s usually a good idea to follow their instructions. #Sarcasm

The University of Virginia says clearly that they do not want students sending additional resumes .  Other schools like Brown University, Boston College, and Carnegie Mellon provide space for uploading optional resumes in the Common App, whereas some schools like the University of Texas - Austin say that submitting a resume is “strongly recommended.”  i.e. You should probably do it.

In short, look at what each school requires.

2. SECONDLY, DOES MY RESUME PROVIDE INSIGHT THAT ISN’T ALREADY ON MY APPLICATION? (OR JUST BECAUSE I CAN SEND ONE, DOES THAT MEAN I SHOULD?)

So if submitting a resume is optional, how do you know if your resume provides value beyond  your Activities List?  Easy. Take a look at your entire application, including your main Common App essay, your Activities List (maximum of 10 spots and 5 honors/awards), your supplemental essays, and your Additional Info section. 

( Note:  If you haven’t noticed, that’s a lot of space to submit information about what you’ve been doing.)

Then ask yourself this: Is there something important about my application that is not already being highlighted or communicated clearly to the university admissions board? One example might be:

Significant work experience. Have you worked multiple jobs almost full-time to help support your family? Or did you have an awesome internship that you couldn’t fully explain in the 150 characters that the Common App provides? Or maybe you spent hundreds of hours studying marketing and internet search engine optimization and started your own business? It might be worth mentioning these in more detail. Take a look at this (real) resume and ask yourself: Would it have been possible for this student to include all of this detail in 10 spots of 150 characters each? Probably not.

Example College Resume Template #1: Microsoft Word or Google Docs

I know, this resume looks unreal for a high school senior.  But even if your experience is 1/3rd of this and you’re not able to fit it into your Activities List, consider creating a separate resume that highlights your unmentioned accomplishments and experience

Sometimes you just need more space for all of your activities!

Here are some other reasons to create a separate resume:

So many awards. If you’ve won 28 awards as Captain of a Nationally Ranked Colorguard team, it might be worth creating a separate resume to list them all, since they definitely won’t fit on the 5 spots they provide you.

So much community service . If you’ve been involved with 6 or 8 separate service organizations in different capacities or led an unusually high number of projects, it might be worth creating a separate resume to highlight each of those and what you’ve done, rather than taking up all of the space on your extracurricular activities list.

So many responsibilities. Did you have a lot of different jobs within one particular organization? Is it difficult to list both what your responsibilities were and the impact you had on the organization in 150 characters? The resume is your chance to go into greater detail about your diverse roles and responsibilities, as long as it communicates and highlights new information.

IMPORTANT FINAL NOTE:  If there are just one or two smaller activities that you couldn’t fit in the ten spaces provided on the Common App activities list, you can actually probably just include those in the Additional Information section and not have to create a separate resume just to include those two. Check out this blog post  to learn how to use this space. 

3. LASTLY, ARE THERE OTHER REASONS FOR CREATING A RESUME?

Yes! For example, if you are:

Applying for outside scholarships: When applying to scholarships from 3rd party organizations, many require resumes in addition to essays.

Applying to jobs or Internships: If applying to either of these as a high school student or college freshman, it would be easy to tweak your college resume and gear it towards specific internships or summer jobs.

Attending an interview: If you have college interviews with alumni or for jobs or internships, it might be a good idea (read: you probably should) bring a copy of your resume to provide some talking points during your interview. They may have seen it already, but it never hurts to be prepared.

Read on to part 2 to see how to turn your Common Application into a simple and clear resume for your university admissions application and see two more awesome sample college resumes.

How to Write a Resume for Colleges Using Your Common App (Part 2)

To follow along,  click this link to open up a template , go to File > Make a copy and copy it to your Google Drive and replace the information with your own as you read.

To begin, your basic resume should have three sections: education, experience, and honors.

Oh hey, look. The Common App also has sections like these: “Current or Most Recent School”, “Activities”, and “Honors”. Reminder: this guide is how to translate these sections directly from the Common App into your resume sections. It’ll save you lots of time and produce a solid resume.

And if you haven’t yet completed your Common App Activities List,  read this article and complete that first before going any further. 

Here’s how to translate each section:

This is the simplest part. No need for fancy footwork--just plug in information. Your resume could look like this:

High School Name , City, STATE (start year – end year)                 

GPA: Weighted: #.## / Unweighted: #.##      SAT Subject Tests: SAT: ####                                                             Subj 1: ### ACT: ##                                                                  Subj 2: ###

Easy as this: Copy and paste all of the components asked for in each entry on the Common App into a new entry in the “experience” section of your resume. 

Here are the components that your Common App asks for:

Activity type.

Position/Leadership description and organization name. (50 character limit)

Please describe this activity, including what you accomplished and any recognition you received, etc. (150 character limit)

Participation grade levels.

Timing or participation: (Hours spent per week, Weeks spent per year)

Example of Common App entry:

Volunteer activity

Chief Facilitator, International Feed-the-Youth Summit, Philadelphia

Developed lesson plans, lobbied local businesses for sponsorships, held marketing sessions, established partnerships to run 2-wk leadership camp.

Summer 2015.

Here’s what that might look like when plugged into a resume:

Developed lesson plans, lobbied local businesses for sponsorships, held marketing sessions, established partnerships to run 2-wk leadership camp (Summer 2015).

Clean and simple. Feel free to break this down into bullet points and add a bit more detail so it looks like the examples in this guide. Maybe like this:

Chief Facilitator, International Feed-the-Youth Summit, Philadelphia (Summer 2015)

Held marketing sessions and lobbied local businesses to establish partnerships to run 2-week leadership camp

Developed lesson plans on leadership for 60 middle and high school participants

Also easy: Put all of the components listed per entry in your “honors” section into an entry into your “honors” section of your resume.

Your honors section in your Common App asks for these components:

Honors title.

Grade level.

Levels of recognition.

Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction

If you were to translate this into a resume, it might look like this:

Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction,  National Level (2014)

But don’t stop there. Notice you have 100-characters on your Common App, and you can use that space to emphasize selectivity. How? Like this:

Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction  – National Level (2014) - Award given to students scoring an average of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD INCLUDE ON MY RESUME?

There might be a few more things to include, if you have them. It also might depend on the purpose of your resume. Examples:

Additional Educational Opportunities

A summer enrichment experience such as the Center for Talented Youth, the Research Science Institute (RSI), or Duke TIP

MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses)

Online classes from a community college or elsewhere

Proficiencies:

Programming languages like Java, Python or C++

Spoken languages with proficiency level

Significant experience with software like Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, or others.

A cover letter:

If you’re using your resume for internship or job experiences, include a short half- to full-page explanation of your goals and experience that will make you an asset to the organization.

For examples of how to incorporate these into your resume, see these examples below.

Example College Resume Template #2: Microsoft Word or Google Docs

Example College Resume Template #3: Microsoft Word or Google Docs

Example College Resume Template #4: Microsoft Word or Google Docs

Example College Resume Template #5: Microsoft Word or Google Docs

Example College Resume Template #6: Microsoft Word or Google Docs

For more on college resume templates , check out our other blog post.

Additional resume tips and another awesome sample resume (Part 3)

Finally, before you go off into the world and begin creating your resume, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind as you format and structure your resume. And, rather than repeat tips already provided elsewhere, here's a handy guide (thanks Klein High School!) that includes a few general tips, important sections to include, a few DOs and DON'Ts, and one more awesome resume example

Looking for some help with those supplemental essays? check out my course below.

another great read: how to decide which extracurricular activity to write about

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Harvard College Resumes & Cover Letter Guide

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A resume is a concise, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills, and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions.

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Resume Writing Guide

A resume is typically an employer’s first introduction to you. First impressions are crucial to establish yourself as professional, capable, and motivated. A strong resume demonstrates your transferrable skills, communication abilities, and achievements. A consistent, detailed, and concise resume can help your resume get noticed by recruiters. By formatting your resume professionally, you increase your chances of earning the interview.

Resume Components

Contact information, phone number.

Use a phone number you can answer readily, such as your cell phone. If you have a voice mail set-up, make sure it sounds professional with your name and the best times to contact you.

Your e-mail address should be professional. While you are enrolled at UMass Amherst, your UMass e-mail will work well. After graduation, consider creating a new e-mail address that contains your name. 

Always include phone and email, but consider if listing your address is helpful or harmful. Employers may give preference to people who are closer geographically - if you are applying from far away, they may be unsure whether you are serious about moving.

Additionally, while your city and state are helpful to list, you do not necessarily need to include your street address. Employers will need it to hire you, but it is not required to provide during the job application process.

Objective/Summary

This section is most useful when you hand your paper resume out at a career or networking event - unless you have something specific to highlight, consider leaving it off your resume. A cover letter will do a better job conveying your why, as well as your key abilities. When you submit electronically, many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) will often skip the summary section and look for those key words to be in the body of your document instead.

For currently enrolled students, you will list your current degree first, and then work backwards in reverse chronological order. During your first few years of college, consider including your high school until you run out of space.

In addition to your college education, you may also highlight   study abroad or domestic exchange programs . When discussing these programs, think about including the following experiences to highlight your transferable skills: 

Class projects

Volunteering/internships/research applicable to your field

Independent travel

Learning to work with a more diverse group of people than you had previously been exposed to

Resolving conflicts based on misunderstandings of cultural differences

Learn new activities, languages, hobbies, or skills

Education Section Example 

University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Fall 2024 - Present)

Bachelor of Arts, Major: English

GPA (if over 3.0 and you feel comfortable sharing)

Relevant Coursework: 3-5 courses max

Awards (when including awards, include the reason for receiving it. Example: "21st Century Leadership Award for high academic achievement in first year")

Senior Project: (optional)

Portfolio of work (optional)

There are many types of experiences: volunteer, paid, unpaid, work study. If the experience is relevant and taught you transferrable skills, find a way to include it.

• For each experience, include name of organization, your title or role, location, and dates
• Action verbs (samples below) to help you write accomplishment statements, which prove you have the skills you say by leaning into outcomes and successes
• Consider using multiple experience headings, such as: research experience, industry experience, or relevant experience. This can be a good way to move more relevant experiences up higher on your resume, even if they happened further in the past.
• Quantifying your work can demonstrate your aptitude. Answering questions such as "How many?",   "How much?", and "How often?" will help recruiters understand the extent of your skills.  
• Avoid “responsibilities included" and writing in a passive voice - using action verbs will make this easier.

Experience Example

Leverage, Incorporated: Boston, MA (September 2025 - Present)

Computer Science Intern

• Developed an algorithm that identified patterns in white collar crime in the financial industries across the United States. Implementation of this program reduced company losses by 17% compared to the previous quarter.
• Collaborated with supply chain division to design new packaging based on reduction of carbon footprint, leading to increased production distribution while reducing energy usage.
• Established a training program to help connect interns with mentors at the organization and was awarded the Innovative Intern of Quarter for these efforts

This section is typically for "hard" skills, which are skills that can easily be measured. Soft skills (such as interpersonal skills) are better described in bullet points of your experience section so they can have the context they require. For a skills section, depending on your targeted field, you may add computer, language, laboratory skills, or performances. For languages, put your level of fluency (e.g., proficient, advanced, fluent, native).

Skills Example

Computer: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), Data Analysis (R-Studio, SPSS)

Resume Formatting and Layout

The average reading only spends 20 seconds reading a resume. Before that, an applicant tracking system may be utilized to select which resumes get reviewed by a human being.  Make sure your resume is easy to read and stands out. 

No single format works for everyone: the only rule is that you need to be honest, factual, and relevant

One page is ideal (especially for internships) and for students ages 18-25

Keep a longer master resume for future opportunities

List everything in reserve chronological order; start with your most recent experience work backwards

Use a legible sans serif  font size, keep it readable, 11 is a good place to start

1 column is better than 2; when you have two columns the reader may jump around and miss key information

No icons or images as they cannot be read by applicant tracking software

How Many Resume Versions Do I Need?

There is a big difference between customizing your resume for a specific position/industry versus creating different documents for each application.

• If you are applying to jobs in drastically different industries, you will want to customize resumes for each industry. For example, a psychology major applying to jobs in Human Services as well as Human Resources will want to highlight different experiences and skills for each, and potentially format their resumes different as a business setting holds different expectations for job criteria compared to a mental health setting.
• If you're pursuing a few different roles, but they're all related to one discipline or field, then you will not need multiple versions of your resume. However, you will still want to tweak each resume you send out based on the specific job description. 

Specialized Resumes/Sections

While resumes may follow the same general format, depending on your experience and industry, there may be other considerations to help your resume stand out.

Design Resumes

Design resumes can differ from traditional resumes in several tangible ways, reflecting the unique skills and creative nature of design professions.

Your document is an indication of your style aesthetic and may not need to conform to the same rules and standards as other professions.

Visual Layout

Design resumes often incorporate creative layouts that display the designer's skills in typography, layout, and visual communication.

• Infographics: Use of icons, graphs, and other visual elements can represent skills, experience, and achievements.
• Color and Typography: Thoughtful use of color and font choices creates an aesthetically pleasing document that aligns with your personal brand.

Content Presentation and Customization

Direct links to online portfolios or examples of work, are often included as part of the resume. Incorporation of personal logos, custom icons, and other branding elements that reflect a designer's style may be added here.

File Format and Compatibility

Designers create their resumes in online spaces varying from Latec to Adobe to Canva. While many resumes are shared as PDFs, design resumes especially should be shared in this format to preserve visual integrity across different devices.

Unique Layouts

Non-traditional formats such as infographics, timelines, or modular layouts may be acceptable.

Interactivity

For digital resumes, elements of interactivity can be incorporated, such as clickable links, hover effects, and embedded multimedia.

The most important rules still apply to ALL resumes; clean neat formatting, with consistency in where the reader will access key information continues to be your driving force.

Designers should contact their career centers to discuss what resume style might best suit their professional goals.

Digital Resumes

A digital resume is an electronic version of a traditional resume that highlights an individual's professional experience, skills, and achievements using digital formats.

Either shared as a PDF or hosted on a personal website, this format allows for enhanced interactivity and multimedia integration. Digital resumes often feature creative layouts, embedded links to portfolios, and interactive elements such as hover effects or animations.

They enable candidates to visually demonstrate their technical and design skills, making them particularly popular in creative and tech industries. The goal of a digital resume is to highlight qualifications, but also provide a dynamic and engaging avenue for potential employers to assess a candidate’s capabilities.

Student Athletes

As a UMass athlete, you learn incredible transferable skills in areas such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. You also spend more time at your activity than most, so make sure they see all your greatness in action.

“Effectively managed communications between 24 team members, served as liaison connecting team and coaching staff, and effectively resolved intra-group conflicts.”

“Excellent time management skills. Balanced a 30+ hour practice, training, competition, and travel schedule while balancing full academic course load.

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Guide: How to Write a UX Designer Resume

• Written by Karin Kelley
• Updated on June 24, 2024

Creating a compelling UX designer resume is critical for professionals in user experience design. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, your resume serves as your personal showcase, highlighting your skills, experience, and unique approach to UX design. In this blog, we’ll guide you through crafting a resume that stands out and effectively communicates your value to potential employers. We’ll also share a UI/UX design bootcamp that helps professionals gain the required skills for a UX design career.

Importance of a Solid UX Designer Resume

A solid UX designer resume does more than list your past job experiences and skills—it tells a compelling story of your professional journey. For UX designers whose work revolves around creating satisfying user experiences, the resume must reflect a deep understanding of user needs and design aesthetics. It’s your first interaction with a potential employer, and just like any product you design, your resume must effectively address the user’s (employer’s) needs. This document is often employers’ first impression of you, so it needs to be polished, professional, and reflective of your capabilities.

Also Read: How to Design a User-Friendly Interface?

UX Designer Resume Template

When structuring your UX designer resume, it’s crucial to present information in a clear and logical order. Here’s a simple guide to help you structure your resume effectively:

Start with a header with your name, professional title (UX Designer), and contact information such as phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile. If you have a professional website or portfolio, include that as well.

Professional Summary or Objective

This section should concisely summarize your UX design expertise, major achievements, and the unique value you can bring to a potential employer. Tailor this section to mirror the needs and language of the job you’re applying for.

Highlight technical and soft skills relevant to UX design. Include proficiencies in design software (like Adobe XD, Sketch, Figma), understanding of UX principles, project management tools (such as Jira or Trello), and any coding skills, if applicable. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving should also be listed.

Professional Experience

List your work experience in reverse chronological order. For each job, include your title, the company’s name, location, and the dates you were employed. Under each role, add bullet points that describe your responsibilities and achievements. Use action words and quantify your results to demonstrate your impact.

Include your educational background, focusing on relevant degrees or certifications. If you have attended workshops or seminars that add value to your UX career, mention those.

Additional Sections

Depending on your experience and the job you’re applying for, you may want to include additional sections related to UX design, such as publications, conferences, workshops, or personal projects.

Also Read: A Guide to Improving and Measuring User Experience

Tips for Writing Your UX Designer Resume

Here are some targeted tips to help you make your UX design resume as effective as possible:

• Tailor Your Resume: Make sure your resume speaks directly to the job description. Highlight skills and experiences that align closely with what the job requires.
• Use a Clean Layout: Since design is at the heart of your work, ensure your resume has a clean, professional layout. Use headings, bullet points, and adequate spacing to improve readability.
• Focus on Achievements: Instead of just listing tasks, focus on what you accomplished in those tasks. Use metrics where possible, e.g., “Improved user session time by 15% through intuitive layout redesigns.”
• Include a Portfolio Link: Your portfolio is where you can show rather than tell. Make sure to include a link to your portfolio on your resume.
• Optimize for Keywords: Use keywords like “UX designer skills” and “UX design tools” throughout your resume to optimize it for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Proofread: Grammatical errors or typos can hurt your credibility as a UX designer. Proofread your resume multiple times or have a friend review it.

Wrapping Up

Your UX designer resume is a key tool in your job search arsenal. It needs to be clear and concise and, above all, demonstrate the effectiveness of your UX design skills through well-chosen words and layout. By following this guide and utilizing the provided tips, you can craft a resume that passes through ATS filters and gets noticed by hiring managers. Remember, a well-designed resume reflects your professionalism and attention to detail—qualities every UX designer must have.

Also Read: UI/UX Designer Salary: What Can You Expect in 2024?

Get the Skills You Need for a Successful UX Design Career

Today, end users have little patience for a poor user experience. That’s why qualified UX designers are in high demand in every industry. Consider enrolling in a comprehensive online UI/UX design program to gain the latest skills in this field. This bootcamp provides an immersive and practical learning experience through live online classes, hands-on projects, masterclasses led by industry experts, training on the top tools, and more. Completing a program like this will only enhance your UX designer resume!

You might also like to read:

How to Become a UI UX Designer: A Comprehensive Guide

UI UX Designer Career Path: A Comprehensive Guide

All About UI UX Design Principles

Accessibility in UX Design: A Definitive Guide

Career Prep: Linux Interview Questions for UI/UX Design Professionals

UI UX Bootcamp

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How to Write a Nursing Resume (With Expert Advice!)

Putting together a nursing resume can be tough—it's a competitive field, and you need to make your skills and qualifications stand out from the crowd. While some elements are consistent across the board (e.g. having your name, contact info, and education listed, for instance), it’s easy to underestimate the power of nuance and individuality in resume writing .

Below, we’ve outlined how to create (and update) an effective nursing resume, thanks to expertise from Nursing Professional Development & Education Specialist, Damion K. Jenkins, MSN, RN .

Get your amazing resume out there—apply now to these amazing nurse jobs on The Muse »

How to write a nursing resume in 5 steps

When crafting a nursing resume, Jenkins emphasizes the importance of following a structured approach to ensure that yours makes an impression with the hiring manager. Above all, you want your resume to be organized, easy to read, and succinct.

Step 1: Start with a strong summary statement

“Begin with a strong summary that highlights your qualifications and career goals,” Jenkins says. “Make sure to use keywords from the job description and qualifications required.” (Here's how to read a job description the right way .)

Your summary statement will speak to your past, present, and future as a nurse, while also making it easy for a recruiter to draw clear connections between your professional life and the job in question.

Need specific ideas? Read this next: 20 Resume Summary Examples to Make Writing Your Own Easier

Step 2: Include non-negotiable sections

Next, make sure you’ve accounted for the non-negotiable sections that every nursing resume needs. According to Jenkins, these include: your contact information, a professional summary of your achievements, your nursing education, licensure and certifications, clinical experience, and relevant role-specific skills.

On top of that, list any professional affiliations, volunteer work, and professional references. Together, these sections will make up the bulk of your resume.

Step 3: Highlight your most valuable skills

A good nursing resume includes hard and soft skills , both of which are necessary for patient care. Jenkins suggests highlighting specific clinical and interpersonal skills that are considered very valuable in the nursing world, including patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, critical thinking, conflict resolution, customer service, and effective communication.

Certifications like BLS, ACLS, PALS, or a specialty-specific certification should also be prominently featured.

Step 4: Do a thorough check for mistakes

As a nurse career coach and mentor, Jenkins has come face-to-face with countless nursing resume mistakes. To make your resume shine, he urges you to check their resumes for the following:

• Grammatical errors and typos
• An unprofessional email address (e.g. anything besides your first and last name, with a number, if necessary)
• Irrelevant information that doesn’t pertain to the role
• Dense blocks of text

Using this list to clean up your resume will improve your chances of getting noticed during your job search . Consider this your list of “don’t dos.”

Step 5: Follow nursing resume best practices

In terms of what you should do, Jenkins endorses the use of bullet points for better readability (vs. long text blocks), using keywords from the job description to help your resume pass through application tracking systems (ATS) , tailoring your resume for each job application, and proofreading vigorously.

Your nursing resume format should be clean and professional, and up to date with any new skills, certifications and experiences.

“Remember, keeping your resume concise and relevant matters,” he says. “If you are including a detailed summary about the dog-sitting job you had as a teenager for a charge nurse position, chances are that your resume won’t make it through the initial screening process.”

Nursing resumes FAQs

How often should you update your nursing resume.

Nurses should update their resume at least every six months, or immediately after acquiring a new skill, certification, or job experience. “Regular updates ensure that your resume is always current and ready for new opportunities, reflecting your most recent and relevant qualifications,” Jenkins says.

How should nurses describe their nursing experience and clinical skills?

To make your experience and clinical skills stand out, use action verbs and quantify your achievements , says Jenkins.

For example, a solid resume bullet point could be:

Provided care for a 30-bed unit, reducing patient falls by 20% through the

implementation of a new safety protocol and interprofessional collaboration with hourly rounding.

“Highlight specific clinical skills and procedures you’re proficient in, and showcase any leadership roles or special projects you’ve undertaken,” he says. “Be proud of your positive outcomes, and include stories that highlight how you’ve grown professionally through some failures and unanticipated setbacks. Hiring managers don’t want robots—they want to know that they have people who are resilient and willing to adapt to the needs of the organization.”

What are the essentials for a new grad nurse resume, versus a nursing student or experienced nurse resume?

For a new grad nurse…

• Emphasize your clinical rotations, relevant coursework, and any nursing-related internships or volunteer work. Include a strong objective statement tailored to the role you’re applying for

For a nursing student resume…

• Focus on your education, clinical placements, and any healthcare-related work experience.

And for an experienced nurse…

• Prioritize your professional experience, listing roles in reverse chronological order (most recent experience first) with detailed descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements.

How should a nursing assistant, travel nurse, or nurse practitioner tailor their resume?

Per Jenkins’ advice, a nursing assistant resume should…

• Highlight your direct patient care experience and any specialized skills like phlebotomy or EKG administration, as well as team work, interdisciplinary collaboration and ability to follow instructions & escalation of abnormal findings.

A travel nurse resume should…

• Emphasize your adaptability, diverse clinical experiences, and ability to quickly integrate into new teams.

And a nurse practitioner resume should…

• Detail your advanced practice skills, patient caseload, and any specialized areas of practice, as well as leadership or teaching roles.

What are the essentials for a critical care nurse or emergency room nurse resume?

As for critical care nurses and ER nurses, Jenkins recommends emphasizing your ability to handle high-stress environments, proficiency in advanced life support, and experience with critical interventions such as intubation and other bedside emergency procedures.

Be sure to mention the diverse populations you’ve worked with, such as pediatric or trauma patients, and highlight your experience with critical care monitoring equipment and protocols.

What about nurses re-entering the workforce or changing specialties?

“For nurses re-entering the workforce or changing specialties, consider taking refresher courses or obtaining new certifications relevant to your desired role,” Jenkins says. “Note any continuing education or recent volunteer work to demonstrate your commitment to maintaining your skills. Finally, tailor your resume to showcase transferable skills and experiences that are applicable to the new specialty.”

Resume writing doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but you can still put together a standout nursing resume by using this guide. Good luck out there!

Once you get that interview, read this: 16 Nursing Interview Questions You Might Get Asked (and How to Answer Them)