Resumes are something often associated with the workplace or applying for jobs, but in reality, they are also an important tool in today’s college application process. One important thing to know about resumes is that they have different formats for different purposes. As a student, you might have a resume for college applications, a separate resume for athletics, and still another, different resume for an internship or scholarship you’re applying for. Below is an outline to help you understand the differences and learn how to create a high school resume.
What is the Purpose of a High School Resume?
A high school resume serves as a vital tool for students to present their skills and experiences effectively. It can be helpful with:
Enhancing College Applications: Serves as a supporting document for college applications, giving admissions officers a snapshot of the student’s experiences and strengths.
Job Opportunities: Prepares students for part-time jobs or internships, demonstrating work readiness and responsibility to potential employers.
Scholarships: Can be used to apply for scholarships, helping students stand out by showcasing their achievements and community involvement.
Letters of Recommendation: Provides a basis for teachers or mentors to write personalized letters of recommendation as it summarizes the student’s key accomplishments and qualities.
Types of High School Resumes
Whether you’re applying for college, internships, or part-time jobs, understanding the goal of your resume will help you tailor it to fit specific opportunities. Here are the common types of resumes you might write as a high schooler:
College Resume
- Writing a high school resume for college applications stands out uniquely, because you are going to have a variety of school club activities, band, drama, sports involvement, volunteering, internships, research, and perhaps a part-time job to showcase.
- This is how you show colleges what you’ve done with all of your time throughout high school, outside of the classroom. Colleges want to ensure students coming to their campus will be involved, and for that, they look to see how you engage with your high school or neighborhood communities.
- While some high school resumes will have a clear theme, others may show a student’s well-roundedness.
Internship Resume
A resume with the purpose of gaining an internship or employment should showcase your related skills and knowledge.
- Here you’ll want to ensure that if you do have any relevant experience, you share it. For example, if you’re looking to apply for a business internship, include business classes you’ve taken, projects or case studies you’ve done, and if you’re in DECA or Business Professionals of America (BPA).
- When you’re just starting out in the workforce, you may need to list volunteer positions where you were counted on consistently at a scheduled time. You may also include a job that isn’t related to your ultimate career goals. Your first job at the neighborhood cafe could help an internship company determine your work ethic and dependability.
- Include skills like software proficiency (Google Docs, Microsoft Suite), languages spoken, coding experience, sales experience, etc.
- References are very important! Be sure you have some non-family individuals and their contact information to provide.
Scholarship Resume
When submitting a resume for a scholarship, it’s important to understand the mission of the scholarship organization. What are they looking for in a winning student and how can you show them you have those qualities?
- Some scholarships focus on academics, in which case you’ll want to focus on your grades, GPA, course rigor, and class rank.
- Other scholarships are looking for community service, and you’ll want to be sure to have the resume primarily list the volunteer work you’ve done and the impact that’s had.
- If the organization’s focus is on a particular area of study, be sure that your resume includes all the possible connections you have to that major or career. As an example, if you are applying for a STEM scholarship, you would want to share STEM-related classes, STEM activities, STEM clubs, individual skill sets (maybe you built a computer at home on your own from spare parts), and research or employment experience.
Athletic Resume
An athletic resume is typically for students looking to play at the NCAA D1 level, though you may also create one if you’re considering D2 or D3 colleges.
- This resume should list your NCAA ID# as well as any sports organization ID#s (like USA Water Polo, etc).
- You should prominently display any individual or team records and achievements as well as some key stats about your performances, such as the number of goals scored, assists, or blocks.
- You’ll also want to add a link to your highlights reel (Google Dive or YouTube channel, etc.).
- Don’t forget to include the position you play and your coach’s contact information as well!
Tips for Writing a High School Resume for College Applications
- Keep your audience in mind. College application readers are looking for traits that will make a strong student at their campus. For some colleges, that’s primary academic grades, test scores, and course rigor. For many colleges, they also want to see that you’ve been involved in your school community. They also aren’t looking for things that happened before 9th grade.
- State your GPA, SAT/ACT test scores, and academic rigor (AP or honors courses).
- List your activities and be sure to include descriptions of your involvement, not just a list of clubs you’re in!
- Showcase any leadership roles or titles you’ve earned. This might include traditional positions such as Captain, President, Treasurer, but it can also include Mentor, Tutor, or Coach.
- Share skills and certifications you’ve earned. Some great examples are Certified Ethical Hacker, Python programming, First Aid, CPR, Scouting Badges, etc.
- Don’t forget any awards you’ve received, such as National Merit, AP Scholar, Seal of Biliteracy, Student of the Month, etc.
- Make sure the formatting is clean, clear, and readable Don’t try to fit so much content that the font is small or that the reader is overwhelmed.
FAQs
How long should a high school resume be for a college application?
Most high school student resumes should aim to be one page, though some high achieving students will need two pages.
How should I format my high school resume?
A high school resume should include your name and contact information at the top, followed by your education, extracurricular activities, skills, and any work experience. Use bullet points when possible to highlight your responsibilities and achievements in a concise manner. Consider using a template for help with formatting.
How far back should a high school resume go?
In most cases, a high school resume should include activities and accomplishments from your high school years.
Conclusion
A well-crafted high school resume can showcase your accomplishments and enhance your opportunities for college admissions, job placements, scholarships, and more. By presenting your skills and experiences in a clear and professional manner, you set yourself apart from the competition.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or need help refining your existing resume, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s work together to create a standout high school resume that reflects your unique strengths and aspirations.
