One of the smartest things you can do for yourself is to work on your academic resume. Like a professional resume or curriculum vitae that people submit when they apply for jobs, your academic resume will provide a quick overview of your extracurricular involvement, leadership, and accomplishments.
Start your resume early on in your junior year to get an idea of all the programs, events, and activities that you’re actively involved in. Then, work towards finalizing it during the summer between your junior and senior years.
The idea is to get a list of programs and a number of activities that you’ve actively been involved in that will feed into your college application. There is a section as part of the Common App application that we will look at in the next phase where you are required to list the activities that you are involved with. Getting your academic resume in place will help you complete that section.
1. Keep It Concise
Try to create a resume that is one page long. If longer, no problem. Create a draft and then ask your advisor to help you condense it. Highlight your most relevant experiences, using clear headings and bullet points to keep information organized and easy to scan.
2. Include Essential Sections
- Contact Information: Name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn (if applicable).
- Education: High school name, GPA, class rank (if available), and expected graduation year.
- Extracurricular Activities: Clubs, sports, student government, or volunteer work. Highlight leadership roles and achievements.
- Work Experience: Part-time jobs, internships, or freelance work with responsibilities and accomplishments.
- Honors & Awards: Academic achievements, scholarships, or competition recognitions.
- Skills & Certifications: Language proficiency, technical skills, or relevant certifications.
3. Use Action Words & Metrics
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “led,” “organized,” or “achieved.” If possible, quantify your impact. Sharing specific details like “Increased club membership by 40%” or “Raised $5,000 for charity” has a bigger impact than sharing vague details.
4. Tailor for Each College
Some schools allow you to submit a resume through the Common App. A good tip is to adjust your resume to highlight experiences relevant to each college’s programs or values.
5. Proofread & Format Professionally
Use a clean, readable font (e.g., Arial or Times New Roman) and maintain consistent formatting. Always proofread carefully to avoid grammar mistakes and ask a parent or teacher to help you with that.
Your well-crafted resume complements your application and gives colleges a clearer picture of your strengths.
