How to Write a Resume for College Application

Looking for a perfect college resume template? Learn how to write your college application resume and get into any college you want.

A college application resume shouldn't be a snooze-fest of grades and dull work history. It's time to flip the script.

Say goodbye to the cookie-cutter approach and dive into crafting a resume for a college application that speaks volumes about the awesome things you've achieved—things you may not even realize.

This guide will show you:

• A great college application resume example.
• How to write a resume for college application that gets you into the best institutions.
• What to include on a high school resume for college.
• Tips & tricks to get your college resume template noticed.

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Looking for a different kind of college resume? We've got you covered:

• Academic CV Template
• College Freshman Resume
• College Student Resume
• Engineering Student Resume
• High School Graduate
• High School Student Resume
• Law School Application
• Law Student Resume
• Recent College Graduate Resume
• Undergraduate College Resume

Our review of over 500,000 resumes built with our tool revealed that*:

- Students usually finish building their resume in just 26.3 minutes.
- The most popular resume templates for students are Cascade, Diamond, and Concept.
- Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Multitasking rank as the most common skills listed by users.
- 29.73% of our users include certifications on their resumes.
* The data comes from the last 12 months (August 2023-August 2024).

Now, I’ll show you a fantastic college application resume.

College Application Resume Example

Phoebe Parsons

High School Graduate

Personal Info

Address: [Phoebe's Address]

Objective

Driven high school graduate with a 3.85 GPA, seeking admission to The University of Iowa. Dedicated part-time zookeeper with a passion for animal care and extensive volunteering experience at an animal shelter. Demonstrated academic commitment by maintaining a 3.85 GPA, and led a team of 10 students in creating a sustainable garden on the school premises.

Education

Linden Heights High School, Des Moines, IA

September 2021–May 2024

• Maintained a 3.85 GPA, excelling in Physics, English, and History.
• Recognized by four teachers for exceptional communication skills.
• Graduating in May 2024.
• Combined SAT scores of 1350 (700 Verbal, 650 Math).

High School Project: Green Oasis Initiative

• Led a team of 10 students in creating a sustainable garden on the school premises.
• Implemented eco-friendly practices, resulting in a 30% reduction in water usage.
• Provided fresh produce to the school cafeteria, contributing to a 20% increase in students choosing healthier meal options.

Activities

Zookeeper Assistant

Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, IA

• Assisted in daily animal care routines, focusing on the well-being of diverse species.
• Collaborated with senior zookeepers to implement enrichment programs, improving animal welfare.
• Maintained a 98% positive feedback rating from zoo visitors.

Volunteer

Furraria Animal Shelter, Des Moines, IA

January 2020–July 2022

• Devoted over 500 hours to animal care and community outreach.
• Successfully implemented a social media campaign, increasing shelter adoptions by 25%.

Co-founder, Operator

Paws for a Cause, Des Moines, IA
March 2021–Present

• Launched and managed a social fundraising campaign for animal welfare.
• Mobilized a network of volunteers, raising $15,000 for shelter improvements.
• Established an online presence with 10,000 followers across social media platforms.

Skills

• Animal Care
• Social Media Management
• Fundraising
• Project Leadership
• Team Collaboration
• Time Management
• Communication
• MS Suite

Languages

• Spanish—Bilingual
• Italian—Full Working Proficiency

Interests

• Wildlife photography: Organized a trip to photograph several endangered bird species in North America.
• Passionate about wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.
• Creative Writing: Runs a nature-oriented blog with around 2,000 monthly readers

A college application resume serves as a supplement to the college application. It offers admissions officers a quick overview of the applicant's accomplishments. A college application resume often includes extracurricular activities, academic performance, volunteer experience, hobbies, and awards.

Here’s how to write a resume for college applications that opens the doors to the best colleges.

1. Pick the Best Format for College Application Resume

There are around 57,000 applicants that try to get into Harvard each year. And only about 2,000 get admitted. So, about 3.5–4%. To be in the 4% that do get in, you need to have jaw-dropping academic achievements from high school—

And your college application resume format needs to be flawless. Follow this formula for the best college resume template:

• Pick a professional, simple resume template.
• Use the best resume fonts, like Arial or Cambria, in 10–14pt. Add big headings, utilize white space, and set 1-inch margins on your resume.
• Create your resume header first. Add name, address, phone, email, and social media links. No photo.
• Add a college resume objective. Next, the education section, then activities and job experience.
• List bonuses like hobbies, volunteer work, publications, and certification on your resume for college. They show you can get things done.
• Write a one-page resume. One page is the perfect length for a resume for college applications.
• Save your resume as a PDF rather than a DOC. PDFs are machine-readable and keep their formatting on all software and devices. But, some colleges will prefer other file types or applications through The Common App.

Expert Hint: Since you’re applying to college, you might’ve heard the term CV being tossed around. But you don’t need to create a detailed CV when writing a high school resume for college. If you’d like to learn more about the differences between CVs and resumes, click the embedded link.

2. Craft a Powerful College Resume Objective

With an impeccable format all ready, your college admission resume has been given the privilege of being read for a couple of seconds. That’s not a lot of time.

This is why you need a resume objective. Present the admission officers with something that will open their eyes faster than a project deadline. Use:

• A resume power adjective (enthusiastic, passionate).
• “High school graduate” or “student”.
• Your goal (seeking admission to The University of Iowa)
• An attention-grabbing achievement (led a team of 10 students in creating a sustainable garden)

Here is a practical example of what to do and not do:

College Application Resume Objective—Example

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

4. List Activities on a Resume for College Applications

A typical college application resume would end here, which is fine if you DON’T want to get into a university. To make your resume for college application fire—

Take as much time as you need and list interesting activities on your college resume. Hobbies, interests & extracurricular activities on a college admission bring a plethora of advantages. Think of these activities that are:

1. Relevant to the course you want to enroll in.
2. Prove vital skills.

These high school resume for college show how:

Activities on a Resume for College—Example

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

For a college application resume that puts you in a toga:

• Use the college resume template at the top.
• Set the right college application resume format. That way, you’ll show you’re organized and take things seriously.
• Make your education section meaningful. Show accomplishments in your high school student resume education section.
• List resume activities in your bullet points. Add details and numbers that show you’re not playing around.
• Add a college application cover letter. In it, elaborate on your achievements, motivations, and personal aspirations.

Do you have any questions on how to write a high school resume for college that sparkles? Still not sure what goes on a resume for college application? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Mariusz is a career expert with a background in quality control & economics. With work experience in FinTech and a passion for self-development, Mariusz brings a unique perspective to his role. He’s dedicated to providing the most effective advice on resume and cover letter writing techniques to help his readers secure the jobs of their dreams.

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