What is a student resume for college?

Some colleges and scholarship committees request or recommend that one should include a high school resume with your application material, but it is recommended that one should not submit a resume if they do not ask for a resume. It is advised to students to bring a resume to college interviews and give copies the college counsellor and teachers so that they can write the strongest recommendation letter.

Pare down the activities you showcase to the most brag-worthy and most representative of you as a candidate. Do colleges need to know that you were on the field hockey team for one semester in Grade 9? Probably not. The standard rule of thumb is to stick to one or two pages.

When deciding which activities and accomplishments make the cut, keep in mind that colleges would much rather see you excited about one or two key experiences than sporadic involvement in 20 clubs. If having an after-school job limited your ability to participate in clubs or sports, make sure your resume plays up your work responsibilities, training, and on-the-job skills.

The details are what set a resume apart from the list of extracurriculars on a standard college application. For example, when describing the involvement of the student the student should include-

  1. The role of the student
  2. School years hours or per week the student participated
  3. Specific contribution
  4. Leadership goals
  5. Unique details that will make the student stand out from others.

Highlight the thing that one is not able to write about in the college essay or short answers

Use your high school resumes to show colleges something new. If the devotion to photography did not make it on the application but is big part of who you are, then showcase your photography cred on your resume.

Make your resume easy to scan

Divide information into sections with clear headings, bulleted lists, and a consistent font. Use a system of organization that works for you. (Chronological, by importance of activity, or by time commitment are a few options.) Don’t forget to proofread.

Colleges know how to spot inconsistencies in your application materials, and they won’t hesitate to call your counsellor to verify information that doesn’t seem right. So, don’t tell them that you have practice for the school play for 30 hours per week—unless drama club is somehow your full-time job.

Include relevant jobs

Think about the skills and experiences required for the job you want. Include any internships or jobs where you developed these qualities. Even if your work experiences aren’t directly related, think of ways to highlight experiences you had that are relevant to the job you want. For example, you might include a former job as a cashier if it helped you develop customer service or leadership skills.

Focus on education

Emphasize the academic history along with the name of the school and degree includes any achievement such as high percentile or any academic awards.


Author Bio: Ricky is an HR professional who is currently working with a reputed company in Australia. He is also associated with Myassignmenthelp, where he offers my assignment help to students to help them choose better service providers.