College Resume Essentials For High School Students

What’s the best way to make sure that college admissions officers know all about your accomplishments?  Compose a resume.  That way, you don’t have to worry about fitting in the important details of your activities and achievements on the limited space allocated on most college applications.  

The best time to first compose a resume is early in your high school years. Then you will have time to fill in the gaps that become evident when you put your life story in writing.  Resume categories typically include Education (listing your G.P.A., SAT scores, A.P. courses, and other academic accomplishments), Athletic accolades, Volunteer activities, Work experience, Extracurricular involvement, and, hopefully, details of a “passion project” where you are engaged in an activity that demonstrates a talent or interest not common among your peers which will ultimately help you stand out to college admissions officers. Have you launched a business, initiated a charitable drive, written and published a book, hosted an art exhibition, or developed an impressive skill or talent?

Not every student needs to feature every category on a resume.  Athletes, musicians, and others involved in a time-consuming activity may not have the opportunity to take on a paid job.  Students with after-school family or work responsibilities may not have the liberty of engaging in extracurricular activities.  But all students should be able to account for how they spend their out-of-school hours, hopefully developing a passion or talent that colleges will want them to bring to their campus.

While a great asset when submitting college applications, a resume serves many additional purposes. It’s a great tool to have prepared when the opportunity arises to apply for an internship, scholarship, part-time job, or membership in a prestigious organization, such as the National Honor Society.  It’s also a black-and-white reminder of what you have accomplished, and what you still need to focus on.  For example, all colleges expect students to have engaged in some form of volunteer work.  They favor applicants who recognize the needs of others and are willing to become involved to try to make the world a better place.  So, if the “volunteer activities” column on your resume is currently blank, it’s time to engage your talents in a meaningful endeavor. If you’re not sure where to start, check out Zooniverse.org which is the world’s largest platform for volunteer, virtual, research opportunities.  

A resume is actually a lifelong document that you will certainly add to and alter as the years go by and your goals and ambitions change.  But having one on hand, and updating it when needed, will prove invaluable more often than you can imagine.   

Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362