How to Write a Resume for College Application in 2024

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.

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

Create your resume now

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

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

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

College Application Resume Example

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

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.

Passionate high school graduate with a 3.3 GPA and 1300 combined SAT scores. Graduating from high school in May 2024.

The first example is effective because it succinctly highlights the candidate's outstanding GPA, combines academic excellence with relevant, practical experiences, and showcases leadership through a sustainability project.

The bad example falls short as it lacks depth, offering only basic information without providing insights into the candidate's character, skills, or accomplishments. It's generic and doesn't engage the reader with meaningful details.

As for GPA, the higher it is, the better. But what constitutes high? We can extrapolate from a study on undergraduate GPA as a selection tool. For the best results, you want a 3.6+ GPA score.

If you graduated from high school long ago, pursued a career, and are only now trying to get into college, use a resume summary. Instead of focusing strictly on your academic achievements, present 1–2 quantified professional work achievements. Especially if they’re relevant to the course you’re trying to get into.

Expert Hint: Don’t make your college application resume profile first. Build it after the rest of your high school resume for college. Then, you’ll have a full curriculum to pick from.

3. Show Educational Prowess

That goes without saying. You need to build a strong education section on a college application resume. But, you’ll include a bit more information than if you were writing a resume tailored for a job.

A university cares for your grades. So you need to show your GPA, SAT, and you can also highlight your best A+ subjects. On top of that, include additional information that shows your commitment to gaining knowledge, as well as other practical, relevant achievements gained during high school.

These college resume samples show the difference:

Education on a High School Resume for College—Example

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.

Education

New West Charter School, Los Angeles, CA

2014–2019

• Co-Captain of Track Team.
• GPA 3.6
• SAT Scores >1300

The first of these two examples shows you weren’t just stuck to your classroom desk. It presents stunning achievements that are certain to catch an eye.

Meanwhile, the second example is bland and gives an inconclusive SAT score value.

Expert Hint: If you’ve already graduated once, present your university projects, relevant coursework, internships, and other achievements you can pull from your time studying.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

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

Zookeeper Assistant

Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, IA

July 2022–Current

• 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.

Activities

• Surfing
• Road biking
• Robotics
• Fund raising

The second example might work if you need to fill some space on a regular resume. But for a college application resume, it just doesn’t make the cut.

The first example presents tangible work experience and showcases the candidate’s hobbies in great detail, proving multiple skills.

What activities can you show on a resume for college applications?

• Class Rank if it’s impressive.
• Certifications: They prove your skills and show your dedication and motivation towards learning a specific subject.
• Jobs: Jobs show work ethic on college admission resumes.
• Awards: Essay competitions, speaking, chess club, etc.
• Volunteer Work: Red Cross, bake sales, crowdfunding.
• Projects: Have you done public service or built a website? Projects show your dedication to a goal.
• Social Media Followings: Have you built a following on Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter? That shows communication and persistence.
• Passions: Have you done lots of paintings? Read a ton of books? Passions show you’ve got the drive to learn something that matters.
• Sports: Don’t just list sports on a college resume. Add accomplishments like races won or records broken.
• Positions: List captainships, Eagle Scout rank, or positions in church or 4-H groups. Those all energize high school resumes for college.
• Hobbies & Interests: Are you good a fishing? Crafts? Hobbies prove you can work toward a goal.
• Languages: Command of a foreign language looks great on college application resumes.

Expert Hint: Remember to prove as many statements as possible by providing details. Strong college application resume bullet points like “Successfully implemented a social media campaign, increasing shelter adoptions by 25%” are incredibly effective.

5. Showcase Your Skills

In the previous section of the article, I mentioned skills several times. And I’m going to talk about resume skills again. This is because you’re going to write a skills section on your college application resume.

Normally, you’d do it to target some resume keywords from the job application. This time, you’re mostly targeting what the admission officer might value. This means hard skills that are important for the curriculum, and soft skills that highlight your character and potential contributions to the university community.

Don’t copy any lists you find on the internet. Always take your time and choose 5–10 most relevant skills. Here’s a list of some of the most crucial ones for inspiration:

Skills for a College Application Resume

• Communication Skills
• Strong Work Ethic
• Collaboration
• Time Management
• Self-Motivated
• Fast Learner
• Critical Thinking
• Creative Thinking
• Presentation
• Negotiation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Physically Fit
• Problem-Solving

• Tech Skills
• Computer Skills
• Math
• MS Office
• Physics
• Science
• Programming
• History
• Public Speaking
• Social Media

Expert Hint: If you don’t know the differences between hard and soft skills, click the embedded link to learn all about this subject.

6. Supply Your College Application Resume With a Cover Letter

Some colleges will require you to send a cover letter and your college application resume. Other ones will not specify, even though they most likely consider cover letters necessary.

Keep to the standard cover letter format. Start with your and the recipient’s contact information. Next, write an introductory paragraph that works similarly to the resume profile. In the middle section, showcase your achievements and skills. In the end, focus on your motivation and values.

You can learn how to write a cover letter from our guide.

Expert Hint: Do you have what it takes to win a scholarship? Write a scholarship resume and a scholarship cover letter that will make you stand out from the crowd. 

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

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.