High school students often wonder what to put on their resumes for college applications. A strong resume can make a big difference in getting accepted to top schools. High school students should include academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any leadership roles on their resumes.

These items show colleges that a student is well-rounded and motivated. Good grades and test scores are important, but schools also want to see that students are involved in their communities. Resume writing activities for high schoolers can help students learn how to showcase their accomplishments effectively.

Students can also highlight skills that are valuable for college and future careers. These might include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. Showing these skills through concrete examples from school, clubs, or part-time jobs can make a resume stand out.

Key Takeaways

• A strong resume includes academic achievements, extracurriculars, and leadership roles
• Colleges look for well-rounded students with community involvement
• Highlighting key skills with specific examples makes resumes more effective

Key Components of a High School Resume

A strong high school resume showcases a student's achievements, skills, and potential. It highlights academic success, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth to impress college admissions officers.

Contact Information and Personal Statement

The resume should start with the student's full name, address, phone number, and email. A brief personal statement can follow, summarizing key strengths and goals. This statement should be 2-3 sentences long and tailored to the specific college or program.

Example personal statement: "Dedicated honor roll student with a passion for environmental science. Committed to academic excellence and community service, with a track record of leadership in school clubs and volunteer organizations."

Education Section

This section lists the student's high school name, location, expected graduation date, and GPA. It's important to include any advanced courses, such as AP or IB classes.

Example format:

• School Name, City, State
• Expected Graduation: Month Year
• GPA: X.XX (unweighted) / X.XX (weighted)
• Relevant Coursework: List of AP/IB/Honors classes

Academic achievements like honor roll, class rank, or academic awards should also be noted here.

Work Experience and Internships

Students should list any paid jobs, internships, or informal work experience in reverse chronological order. Each entry should include:

• Job title
• Company name
• Dates of employment
• 2-3 bullet points describing key responsibilities and achievements

Even part-time jobs or babysitting can demonstrate responsibility and time management skills.

Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Roles

This section highlights a student's involvement outside the classroom. It should include:

• Club memberships
• Sports teams
• Volunteer work
• Leadership positions

For each activity, list the organization name, role, dates of involvement, and brief descriptions of responsibilities or accomplishments.

Example:

• Student Council, Vice President (2023-2025) • Organized school-wide events, managed $5,000 budget • Led initiative to implement recycling program

Skills and Certifications

Students should list both hard and soft skills relevant to their goals. This can include:

• Technical skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency)
• Language skills
• Soft skills (e.g., public speaking, teamwork)

Any certifications or specialized training should also be included here.

Awards and Honors

This section showcases recognition for academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievements. List awards in reverse chronological order, including:

• Award name
• Awarding organization
• Date received

Example:

• National Merit Semifinalist, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, 2024
• First Place, Regional Science Fair, 2023

By including these key components, high school students can create a compelling resume that highlights their strengths and potential to college admissions officers.

Developing a Strong Academic and Extracurricular Profile

A strong academic and extracurricular profile helps students stand out to college admissions committees. It shows hard work, leadership, and community involvement.

Academic Excellence and Advanced Placement

Students should focus on getting good grades in challenging courses. Taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes can boost a student's academic profile. AP classes show colleges that a student can handle college-level work.

Academic achievements like honor roll or academic awards are important to list. Students should also highlight any academic competitions they've joined. This could include math olympiads, science fairs, or debate tournaments.

Maintaining a high GPA is key. Colleges look at the difficulty of classes taken, not just grades. A student with a slightly lower GPA in harder classes may be more impressive than one with perfect grades in easy courses.

Leadership and Team Projects

Leadership roles show colleges that a student can take charge and work well with others. Students should seek out leadership positions in clubs, sports teams, or student government.

Group projects, both in and out of class, are good to highlight. These show teamwork skills. A student could mention leading a group project for a class or organizing a school event.

Robotics clubs or debate teams are great for building leadership and teamwork skills. These activities often involve working together to solve problems or compete.

Students should be specific about their role in team projects. They should explain what they did and what the team achieved.

Engagement in Community Service

Volunteer work is highly valued by colleges. It shows that a student cares about their community. Students should try to find volunteer work that matches their interests.

Regular, long-term volunteer work is best. This shows commitment. One-time events are good too, but ongoing service is more impressive.

Students should keep track of their volunteer hours. They should also note any leadership roles in volunteer projects. Organizing a food drive or leading a team of volunteers looks great on a resume.

Community service can also help students explore potential career paths. For example, volunteering at a hospital could spark interest in a medical career.

Showcasing Your Skills and Achievements

High school students can boost their college applications by highlighting their skills and accomplishments. A strong resume showcases transferable abilities, unique talents, and technical know-how.

Highlighting Transferable Skills

Students should emphasize skills that are valuable across different settings. Communication skills are crucial. List public speaking experiences or writing awards. Teamwork skills can be shown through group projects or sports teams.

Problem-solving abilities are highly prized. Include examples of overcoming challenges in school or extracurricular activities. Leadership roles in clubs or community service demonstrate initiative and interpersonal skills.

Organizational skills are important too. Highlight time management successes, like balancing multiple responsibilities. Creativity can be shown through art projects, innovative solutions, or entrepreneurial ventures.

Personal Projects and Unique Talents

Colleges look for students who stand out. Personal projects show passion and drive. A student might have built a website, written a book, or started a small business.

Unique talents can set an application apart. Musical abilities, artistic skills, or proficiency in multiple languages are worth mentioning. Awards and honors in these areas carry weight.

Volunteer work and community service show social responsibility. Include the impact of these activities, such as number of people helped or hours contributed.

Professional Skills and Technical Proficiency

In today's digital world, technical skills are valuable. List proficiency in coding languages, software programs, or digital tools. Data analysis skills can be demonstrated through science fair projects or math competitions.

Professional skills like customer service can come from part-time jobs or internships. Research skills are important for college success. Highlight any academic papers or independent studies completed.

Include certifications or online courses completed. These show initiative and a desire to learn. Quantify achievements where possible, such as "Increased club membership by 50%."

Effective Resume Writing and Submission Tips

A strong resume and strategic submission approach can set high school students apart in college applications. Key elements include tailoring materials, leveraging online platforms, and refining the final document.

Crafting Personalized Cover Letters

Cover letters give students a chance to showcase their unique qualities. They should address the specific college or program and explain why they're a great fit. Students should highlight relevant achievements, experiences, and goals that align with the institution's values.

A well-crafted cover letter demonstrates writing skills and attention to detail. It's important to research each college thoroughly to personalize the content. Students can mention specific courses, professors, or campus activities that interest them.

Proofreading is crucial. Typos or grammatical errors can make a poor impression. Students should ask teachers or mentors to review their letters for feedback.

Utilizing Online Platforms and Networks

Online platforms offer valuable tools for resume building and networking. LinkedIn is a professional network where students can create profiles showcasing their accomplishments and connect with alumni or admissions staff.

Students should ensure their online presence is polished and professional. This includes appropriate email addresses and social media accounts.

Many colleges use online application systems. Students should familiarize themselves with these platforms early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Networking can open doors. Students can attend college fairs, info sessions, and alumni events to make connections and learn more about schools.

Finalizing Your Resume

The final resume should be concise, typically one page for high school students. It should highlight academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any work experience or volunteer roles.

Format matters. Use a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts and spacing. Bold or italicize section headers for clarity.

Tailor the resume for each application. Emphasize experiences most relevant to the specific college or program.

Include quantifiable achievements where possible. For example: "Raised $5,000 for local charity through school fundraiser."

Have multiple people proofread the final document. Fresh eyes can catch errors or suggest improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Colleges look for well-rounded students who have pursued meaningful activities outside the classroom. Strong extracurriculars, leadership roles, and unique experiences can help applications stand out.

What extracurricular activities are considered most beneficial for college admissions?

Colleges value activities that show dedication, leadership, and impact. Sports teams, student government, and community service are often viewed favorably. Academic clubs, music groups, and internships also impress admissions officers.

Sustained involvement over multiple years demonstrates commitment. Taking on leadership roles shows initiative and responsibility.

How can involvement in high school activities improve a college application profile?

Extracurriculars help students develop important skills. Teamwork, time management, and communication improve through participation in clubs and sports.

These activities also allow students to explore interests and potential majors. Colleges look for applicants who have shown passion in specific areas.

Which types of high school achievements should be highlighted on a student's college resume?

Academic honors like National Honor Society membership or subject-specific awards stand out. Leadership positions in clubs or sports teams are important to include.

Significant volunteer work or community service projects demonstrate social responsibility. Unique accomplishments like starting a business or publishing research can be very impressive.

What are some unique high school experiences that colleges find impressive during admissions?

Organizing a large fundraiser or community event shows initiative and planning skills. Completing an independent research project displays intellectual curiosity and self-motivation.

Starting a new club or nonprofit organization demonstrates leadership and entrepreneurship. Earning professional certifications or mastering specialized skills can set an application apart.

How should students select extracurriculars to enhance their appeal to competitive colleges like the Ivy League?

Students should pursue activities they genuinely enjoy rather than trying to impress colleges. Depth of involvement is more important than quantity of activities.

Ivy League schools look for students who excel in their chosen pursuits. National or international recognition in a field can be very impactful.

What is the best way to present high school extracurricular activities on a college application resume?

List activities in order of importance, with the most significant ones first. Include specific details about roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments.

Use action verbs to describe contributions. Quantify achievements when possible, such as "Raised $5,000 for local animal shelter."