As many as 95% of US selective colleges now evaluate applications holistically (beyond just GPA and test scores). They will also look at things like extra curricular activities, leadership positions and the personal experiences of those who applied.

And the only best way for students to present all this critical information at a glance is showcasing a solid college application resume!

When creating a college application resume it is just as important to have a good understanding of yourself (or at least have a general idea of what you want to achieve) as well as how to show who you are, what you stand for, and how you’ve changed during your high school career. Schools are increasingly using holistic admissions, meaning they want to see the entire student and not just their GPA and SAT/ACT scores. A well created college application resume will allow admissions officers to quickly see your preferred major, leadership types of activities, and how you have developed and grown from your academic and non-academic activity in high school. Whether you apply through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or directly through a school, having a strong resume will not only strengthen your application but will also help in requesting scholarships, internships, or recommendation letters.

Most students in high school feel like they do not have work experience, however, there are many things that students can include in their college application resume: volunteering, leading projects in your community, winning competitions in your field, taking personal initiatives, and participating in creative arts. This document will provide the necessary tools for building an outstanding and effective resume specifically for college applications.

Why Colleges Need Resumes?

One reason why many colleges will ask for a resume is that they want information that does not fit well into an application (for instance: a standard college application portal). Each college wants to see additional information on your resume that will help them get to know you beyond the basic information provided on the application, including the length of time that you have been involved in the same activities or experience(s), as well as the way(s) in which you demonstrated your leadership/impact and responsibility over time.

Many colleges support the idea of looking beyond just what is written in your application (and its corresponding forms), and that is where a resume comes into play. When colleges receive resumes from applicants, they are able to identify trends in the applicant’s personal growth and their intellectual curiosity and commitment to their community. A good example of this idea can be seen through the websites of the NACAC (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org) and other organizations that emphasize that colleges evaluate the amount of time that you spent with an organization, not simply how successfully you did something.

Writing a Resume for College Applications

A good application resume will not try to impress the reader by the number of activities it lists but rather by being clear and relevant. As an example, do not list all the times you have attended a club meeting, but instead, indicate how you have been involved in or had a strong interest in an activity over many years. The purpose of the resume is to show an applicant as a student who has measurable achievements, in addition to their interests, their consistency, and their initiative on a personal level.

The admissions reviewer(s) will read numerous applications throughout the admission season (thousands in some cases). A high-quality, organized, and clearly laid out resume makes it easier for admissions reviewers to understand what type of student you are: As previously described, an organized resume also creates an impression of professionalism.

By using correct resume formatting (e.g., concise headings, strategic location of accomplishments and clear descriptions) the resume serves an easily accessible overview of an applicant’s potential.

Your college resume typically has a logical structure for academic history, work experience and accomplishments; however, there is no right way to format your resume. Many times, high impact resumes typically are on one page but with students who have extensive leadership, research, or creative portfolios, typically two pages. Below is a detailed explanation for each of the sections typically found on the college resume template and their respective purposes and content.

Header/Contact Information

The header/contact information typically appears at the top of the resume as well as any additional relevant portfolio, LinkedIn and/or GitHub links. The name should appear a bit above the average font size, while the email, phone, city/state and any links should be in plain, default font size. The email should be a simple variation of your name, and not a high school specific email, which will expire after graduation. Including optional links is beneficial if you’re attempting to showcase creative work, research and/or projects and then present them through optional links.

Education

The Education area tells admissions officers about the applicant’s high school and where it is located, when the applicant graduated and what their Grade Point Average (GPA) was as well as what their rank is (if applicable). Some applicants may wish to indicate the types of Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual-enrollment courses provided or what online Micro credential course(s) were taken by the applicant through a provider such as Coursera or edX and how they fit into their educational history; these courses can be included in the Education section or on the newly created “Continuing Education” area, depending on the applicant.

Academic Recognition

The Academic Achievement and Recognition areas provide insight into the types of academic accolades awarded to the applicant. An admissions officer will be more interested in recognizing the ‘trophies’ that are most prominent in the academic world, such as National Honor Society membership, Dean’s List qualifications or outstanding performance in academic competitions. By considering the honor-listed items, an admissions officer can better determine what strengths an applicant possesses in terms of the academic world. The summary of each honor will contain brief and concise verbiage so that the readers and other stakeholders can understand what the applicant achieved.

Extracurriculars

Extracurriculars for college resume play a significant role in an applicant meeting the entrance requirements of most colleges. Some examples of these activities may include athletics, student bodies, clubs, student organizations, performing arts and projects related to self-learning. Not only do admissions officers want to know that the applicant participated in these activities but also to what degree or level the applicant was involved.

As an example of an applicant listing their involvement in a “Robotics Club,” a better way to convey their experience would have been to say, “I served as a Coding Crew Leader where I mentored younger members while working in conjunction with the Director of my High School & the Director of the County to coordinate & schedule Tournament logistics for our Team”.

Community Service & Volunteering

Many colleges are impressed with students who devote time and energy to volunteering for a particular community or to less fortunate people, regardless of whether these experiences were organised through a non-profit agency or a service-learned school program, or through the student’s self-directed efforts.

All volunteering should include the hours provided to assist and complete tasks through each listing. Providing links to the Non-profit Organizations’ websites (e.g., Habitat for Humanity) may verify information stated within the application and allow college admissions committees further details about the applicant’s volunteering experience and level of expertise as they apply it to aiding others in need.

Internship/Employment

Part-time and temporary jobs in a variety of areas can provide college applications a clear picture of how responsible, organised and skilled you were at your work. If you completed an internship of any type – whether paid or unpaid – include information about your role in the organisation and any skills or experience gained from your internship. Internships may be formal, either through a school or company, or informal, i.e. you take some time to shadow an individual in your field or work with family members in a family run business.

Skills & Certifications

Include information about your foreign language skills for college resume, any technical skills (Python, Canva or Adobe Illustrator) as well as any certification from an industry recognized source to show your potential for employment. A Google Career Certificate (https://grow.google/certificates) is an example of a useful credential available from Google.

Example of a College Application Resume Sample Layout

Are you looking for promising college resume examples ? Use this simple and clean best resume format for college applications – something that can be considered to be a typical college application resume layout!

Name: Emma Rivera
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (555) 123-4567
Location: Austin, TX
Portfolio: https://emmariveraportfolio.co

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Education

Westbrook High School, Austin, TX
Expected Graduation: 2025
GPA: 3.92 (Unweighted), 4.28 (Weighted)
Relevant Coursework: AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, Honors Literature, Dual-Enrollment Psychology

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Honors & Awards

• National Honor Society (2023–Present)
  • Regional Science Fair Winner – Behavioral Sciences (2024)
  • AP Scholar with Distinction (2024)

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Extracurricular Involvement

(Robotics Club) – (2022-present) –  As the lead for coding competitions regionally I commanded the coding team to provide the automated control algorithms for our autonomous robots and has trained all new members of our club.

(Student Council) – (2023-present) –  Managed all announcements made by our school to students and all our social media when communicating messages.  Organized multiple student events bringing in over 600 registered participants”

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Experience Volunteering

Austin Children’s Literacy Center – Volunteer Tutor (2021-Present) Researched, translated, and helped develop reading comprehension skills with elementary aged students twice a week; also helped with the center’s reading curriculum.

Experience

Sunrise Café – Summer 2023 Barista Provided quality customer service, processed cash and credit transactions, processed inventory during periods of peak activity.

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Skillset

Python, Canva, Google Workspace, Spanish (Conversational), CPR Certified

How to Format a  College Resume?

Constructing a good high school resume for college for your application requires you to put forth an authentic effort, and should use consistent fonts, whitespace, and section headings that allow for easy scanning through the document. To create ease of reviewing your resume, never use long paragraph descriptions; always write in an action-oriented manner using concise, powerful verbs at the start of every line, such as “coordinated,” “developed,” “led,” or “initiated.”

Also, one of the most serious college resume mistakes to avoid is exaggerating in your description of responsibilities and impact when preparing your college resume. Admission officers have gained experience in identifying unrealistic claims, and they will review your integrity closely. Instead of embellishing your descriptions, convey your authentic enthusiasm, growth, extent of quality involvement, and extent of overall involvement.

The Bottom Line – Join AIU Today

Your college application resume serves not simply as a piece of paper but rather as a representation of the experience you have gained as well as the development and experiences you have had thus far in life.

 Evaluating the various aspects of your life: both professional and personal; will assist your ability to create an individualized resume that accurately displays the various parts of YOU which make you unique and separate you from other applicants vying for the same spot in the admissions process. A well-crafted and dynamic resume will not only enhance the application process but also aid in obtaining scholarships, internships, letters of recommendations etc., giving you an advantage over many other candidates who may want the same spot at your prospective school or college.

AIU wants to help you tell your story, so ensure you shine through the crafting of the best resume as well as highlight your successes and what sets you apart from other applicants.

To apply to AIU’s most popular degree program, create your resume now, submit it through our online application system, and we look forward to reviewing your application soon and welcoming you to a school that will give you support with your future education and career goals!

Author Bio

Ananya Biswas, Senior Content Strategist at Atlantic International University, blends creativity with strategy to craft compelling narratives. With 9+ years of expertise in content strategizing, creation and marketing, she champions in meeting high quality content standards and empowers global audiences through impactful storytelling and brand engagement.