Ways to Boost Your Resume for College Admissions

Ways to Boost Your Resume for College Admissions

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 the junior and senior proms 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 will take a lot of hard work and discipline to get into college, and a lot of important steps you’ll need to accomplish along the way – from preparing for the SATs to 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, knowledge, skills, and grades, that admissions officers may consider when rendering acceptance decisions.

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 bolster 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 to help others. Or an animal shelter. Community service won’t just boost your resume; it can help boost your self-esteem, knowing you’re making a difference in the lives of others.

Add to your 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 network. An internship can be a win for you and the company.

Boost your grades. Your college resume should share your grade point average (GPA), so it goes without saying that the better your grades, the better your resume will be.

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, grade point average, 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. It’s the content that matters.
  • 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 summarizes your hard work and can help boost your chances of getting into the school you want.

Brazos is Here to Help You in Your College Journey

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