Ways to Boost Your Resume for College Admissions

Ways to Boost Your Resume for College Admissions
Brazos Staff

Last Updated: June 30, 2026

BIG Ideas:

  • A resume summarizes your academic accomplishments, work experience, skills, and interests.
  • Some ways to boost your resume include starting a business, volunteering, getting an internship, and participating in extracurricular activities.
  • Your resume should be concise, accurate and include your contact information.

From junior and senior prom to sporting events and other extracurricular activities, high school is an exciting time in your life. It’s also the time to get down to business and prepare for college.

It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to get into college, and there are many important steps along the way – from preparing for the SATs and searching for the right school to writing that all-important college essay.

You’ll also want to start building your college resume, which could help boost your chances of getting into the school of your dreams.

Why a Resume?

A resume is a document that summarizes your work experience, academic achievements, skills, and activities that admissions officers may consider during the college admissions process. 

It isn’t just something you’ll need when you graduate from college – it can help you get into college.

Here are some ways to strengthen your resume:

Start a business. Is there a hobby you enjoy that you could turn into a business? Pet sitting? Lawn mowing? Tutoring? Having your own business demonstrates your entrepreneurial skills and can give you a competitive advantage over other applicants.

Volunteer. Do you enjoy helping others? Consider volunteering your time for an organization, cause, or event that’s important to you and your community. For example, you could volunteer your time at a soup kitchen or animal shelter. Community service won’t just strengthen your resume; it can help boost your self-esteem by allowing you to make a difference in the lives of others.

Add extracurricular activities. Colleges like students who get involved beyond just academics. That’s why you should consider joining clubs or partaking in other activities, such as sports, theater, or music. Just make sure the activities you choose won’t interfere with your grades.

Get an internship. Working for a company or organization before you start college can help you gain valuable, real-life work experience and skills. Talk to your guidance counselor, local Chamber of Commerce, and networking groups to explore potential opportunities. You can also create a LinkedIn profile and build your professional network. An internship can be a win-win for both you and the company.

Boost your grades. Including your GPA on your college resume could give you a boost, if you have a strong GPA. The stronger your grades, the stronger your resume.

Tips for Creating Your Resume

Need help crafting your college resume? Here are a few pointers:

  • Create a header with your name, address, and contact information.
  • Include the name of your high school and areas of study.
  • List your extracurricular activities, interests, and involvement with any clubs or groups.
  • Make sure your resume is clean, clear, and concise. One page is optimal. Less is definitely more.
  • Keep it simple. There’s no need to include fancy graphics or typefaces. The content is what matters the most.
  • Proofread your resume for spelling and grammatical mistakes.
  • Be truthful about your roles, responsibilities, skills, and experience.
  • Regularly update your resume as you add skills and experiences.

Think of your resume as a valuable tool that showcases your hard work and can help strengthen your college applications.

Brazos is Here to Help You in Your College Journey

For more than 50 years, Brazos Higher Education has had a mission to help students and families finance the cost of college. As a Texas non-profit, we offer competitive rates on private student loans that could help you save money. Contact us today to learn more.