Introduction
Applying to college in 2025 means more than just filling out forms and submitting test scores. One of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in your application is the college resume. While not always required, a well-crafted resume can give admissions officers a clearer, more personal view of your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and leadership potential—beyond the numbers.
Unlike traditional job resumes, a college resume doesn’t need years of professional experience. Instead, it highlights who you are as a student and community member. It’s your opportunity to showcase your growth, dedication, and individuality. Whether you’re applying through the Common App, Coalition App, or directly to your school of choice, a strong resume can elevate your entire application.
Description
What Is a College Resume and Why It Matters
A college resume is a one-page snapshot of your high school journey. It complements your personal statement and activities list, offering additional context to your achievements. Even if it’s optional, submitting a resume can help you stand out and provide helpful material for teachers writing your recommendation letters.
Admissions officers review thousands of applications, and a clear, concise resume gives them quick insight into your strengths, interests, and leadership abilities.
What to Include in Your College Resume
You don’t need a long job history to write an impressive resume. Focus on what matters most to college admissions committees.
Education and Academic Details
Start with your high school information. Include:
Full school name and expected graduation year
GPA (if strong)
Class rank (if available)
Notable coursework (AP, IB, dual-enrollment classes)
SAT or ACT scores (optional, depending on the school)
This section should be placed at the top, as your academics are a central piece of your college application.
Work and Volunteer Experience
You can absolutely include part-time jobs, internships, or even summer programs. Even babysitting counts if you frame it around responsibility or skills gained. Volunteering shows initiative and community involvement.
List roles with brief, specific bullet points:
Describe tasks and responsibilities
Highlight leadership or collaboration
Quantify impact when possible (e.g., “led a team of 8 volunteers on 5 community builds”)
Extracurricular Activities
This is where you can truly show personality and passion. Whether you’re in student government, school clubs, sports, or independent activities like coding or writing, include them.
Prioritize:
Roles where you had a leadership position
Activities related to your intended college major
Long-term commitment or personal projects
Admissions officers love to see consistency and growth.
Awards and Honors
List academic, athletic, or community awards that highlight achievement or recognition. This could be Principal’s Honor Roll, National Merit Finalist, or regional competition placements.
Keep it to the most notable honors. For each, include the name of the award and the year you received it.
Skills and Interests
Wrap up your resume with technical and personal skills. For example:
Foreign languages spoken
Software or tools (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel)
Soft skills like communication, leadership, and collaboration
Hobbies that relate to your goals or studies
This section can also include certifications like CPR training, Google certificates, or coding credentials.
Writing and Formatting Tips
How your resume looks and reads matters just as much as what’s on it. Here’s how to make it shine.
Keep It to One Page
A college resume should never be longer than one page. Focus on relevance and clarity. Leave out anything that doesn’t support your academic or career path.
Use Bullet Points, Not Paragraphs
Organize your details into short, scannable bullet points under each section. Admissions readers are skimming dozens of resumes—they’ll appreciate the clarity.
Example:
Student Volunteer Coordinator – Habitat for Humanity
Organized 10+ student volunteers across five community builds
Oversaw logistics and built communication with local partners
Start with Strong Action Verbs
Every bullet point should begin with a dynamic verb that captures your role. Instead of saying “responsible for,” try “organized,” “led,” “managed,” “created,” or “collaborated.”
Use a Professional Email
Something like firstname.lastname@gmail.com is simple and appropriate. Avoid informal or outdated email handles.
Reverse Chronological Order
List your most recent activities and achievements first within each section. This keeps your resume focused on your current accomplishments.
Sample College Resume Format
Here’s a basic layout to follow:
[Full Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Optional: Personal website or LinkedIn link]
Education
[High School Name], Class of [Year]
GPA: [X.XX] | SAT/ACT: [Scores if applicable]
Experience
[Job Title], [Organization], [Dates]
[Bullet point describing duties or achievements]
[Another impact-focused bullet point]
Extracurricular Activities
[Role], [Club or Team Name], [Dates]
[Achievement or responsibility]
Awards and Honors
[Name of Award], [Year]
Skills and Interests
Languages: [List]
Tech: [Tools, apps, platforms]
Hobbies: [Briefly mention, especially if relevant to major]