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University Application CV: Examples, Template, Writing Tips

Unlock the door to success with our UK university application CV template! Craft your CV for university application using expert tips and examples.

Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Career Writer at ResumeLab
University Application CV:  Examples, Template, Writing Tips

Most university CVs are all the same. They focus on grades and that's it.

Bad idea.

Want to get interviewed? List awesome things you don’t even know you did.

This guide will show you:

  • A university CV example better than most.
  • How to write a CV for university that gets you interviewed.
  • How to pick and list activities on CVs so you turn heads like Macklemore.
  • The fastest way to get your university application CV noticed.

Save hours of work and get a CV like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 21 CV templates and download your CV now.

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What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.”
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My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
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Looking for a different kind of type CV? We've got you covered:

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV examples.

Free University Application CV Template

Leighton Pliego

Personal Info

Address:
9593 Grove Road
New West Charter School, London, SW89 3QP
Phone: 213-968-0795
Email: leightonpliego@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/leightonpliego
twitter.com/leightonpliego

Summary:

Enthusiastic student social media professional seeking to energise Pitzer University's student body with proven leadership skills. Founded and ran a social fundraising organisation that raised £27,000 for childhood cancer. Varsity track team captain with A+ avg. in English & Physics.

Education:

New West Charter School, London, UK
2014–2019

  • Maintained A+ average in all Physics, English, and History classes.
  • Commended by 4 teachers for communication skills.
  • Co-Captain, Varsity Track Team.
  • Combined SAT scores 1300 (700 Verbal, 650 Math).
  • Graduating in May of 2019.
  • GPA 3.3

Activities

Founder, Operator
Drop the Elbow on Cancer
2015–Present

  • Founded/run cancer-fighting fundraising campaign on social media.
  • Organised community of 1,400 Mixed Martial Arts fighters to collect donations.
  • Raised £27,000 for children's cancer research to date.
  • Created Facebook and LinkedIn presence with 18,000 followers.

Founder, Leader
Robotron Robotics Club
2011–2015

  • Created and led small robotics club with local peers for 4 years.
  • Built 15 robots, including robotic arm with MegaPi mainboard.
  • Held 40+ bracketed competitions, raising membership 60%.

Waiter
Weathervane Restaurant
2016–2018

  • Scored 99% in Dale Carnegie customer service training.
  • Frequent high earner, earning most tips per shift.
  • Maintained 95% positive customer comment score.

Athletics

  • Avid surfer. Surfed 60 days/yr since age 13. Performed own board-maintenance, fixing all dings/cracks with resin/fibreglass and full-face respirator.
  • Devoted cyclist. Have logged 4,000+ miles, maintaining own bike and gear.
  • Accomplished kayaker and water skier.

Interests

  • Read 473 books from multiple genres since age 8.
  • Pursued passion for castle ruins during trip to Hungary, mapping 12.
  • Learned 50 useful Romanian words/phrases during family trip.

Hard Skills: Writing, Video Production, Leadership, MS Office

Soft Skills: Interpersonal Skills, Time Management, Listening

 

What should you include on a CV for university application?

In short, a university application CV should include: relevant contact information, a strong CV objective, detailed education history (including weighted GPA, class rank, and SAT/ACT scores), extracurricular activities, Work experience, Hobbies, volunteer work, awards amd publications, relevant skills.

Now here’s how to write a high school CV for university applications:

1. Pick the Best University Application CV Format

Warning: Your CV format must grab them at a glance. Follow this blueprint:

  • Choose the reverse-chronological CV format. It puts your best features first.
  • Get started with one of our CV templates or a free Google Doc template
  • Use the best CV fonts like Arial or Cambria, in 10–14pt. Add big headings, white space, and 1-inch margins.
  • Write your CV header first. Add name, address, phone, email, and social media links. No photo.
  • Add a university CV objective, then education, then activities and job experience.
  • List bonuses like hobbies, volunteer work, and publications. They show a post-millennial can get things done.
  • Write a one-page CV.
  • Reading from abroad? Check out how to format an American CV

Expert Hint: Save your CV as a PDF. Using a high school CV template PDF used to be bad. They’re machine-readable.

2. Write a University CV Objective That Hurts

84,865.

That’s how many university application forms the average top-10 school gets. The rest aren’t far behind. Your university admissions CV must stand out like galaxy print. Do it with a CV objective that shines.

These CV examples for university nail it:

UK University Application CV Objective—Example

Good Example
Enthusiastic student social media professional seeking to energise Pitzer University's student body with proven leadership skills. Founded and ran a social fundraising organisation that raised £27,000 for childhood cancer. Varsity track team captain with A+ avg. in English & Physics.
Bad Example
Passionate high school graduate with 3.3 GPA and 1300 combined SAT scores. Graduating from high school in May of 2019. Enjoy surfing and bike riding. Have worked as a waiter at the Weathervane Restaurant for 2 years.

The first of those isn’t some generic CV for university applications. That’s Emma Watson Junior. But they’re both the same kid. The university admission CV screener will run, not walk, to show it to the Dean.

Don’t have activities for a CV objective like that? You do. You just can’t see them.

Yet.

Expert Hint: Don’t make your university CV objective first. Build it after the rest of your high school CV for university. Then you’ll have a full curriculum to pick from.

3. List Activities on CVs for University Applications

Disaster!

Here’s the typical university application CV:

  • General Grades
  • SAT Scores
  • GPA
  • High School Sports
  • Part-Time Job
  • Maybe Drama or a Stem Club

What’s wrong with that?

It won’t get noticed. To make your CV for university application blaze, list CV activities that’ll make them hope you choose them. These university CV examples for high school seniors show how:

Activities on a University Application CV—Example

Good Example

Activities

Founder, Operator
Drop the Elbow on Cancer
2015–Present

  • Founded/run cancer-fighting fundraising campaign on social media.
  • Organised community of 1,400 Mixed Martial Arts fighters to collect donations.
  • Raised £27,000 for children's cancer research to date.
  • Created Facebook and LinkedIn presence with 18,000 followers.

Founder, Leader
Robotron Robotics Club
2011–2015

  • Created and led small robotics club with local peers for 4 years.
  • Built 15 robots, including robotic arm with MegaPi mainboard.
  • Held 40+ bracketed competitions, raising membership 60%.

Waiter
Weathervane Restaurant
2016–2018

  • Scored 99% in Dale Carnegie customer service training.
  • Frequent high earner, earning most tips per shift.
  • Maintained 95% positive customer comment score.

Athletics

  • Avid surfer. Surfed 60 days/yr since age 13. Performed own board-maintenance, fixing all dings/cracks with resin/fibreglass and full-face respirator.
  • Devoted cyclist. Have logged 4,000+ miles, maintaining own bike and gear
  • Accomplished kayaker and water skier.

Interests

  • Read 473 books from multiple genres since age 8.
  • Pursued passion for castle ruins during trip to Hungary, mapping 12.
  • Learned 50 useful Romanian words/phrases during family trip.
Bad Example

Activities

  • Surfing
  • Road biking
  • Robotics
  • Fund raising

The first of those university CV examples shows you’ll make the university better. But that’s just a normal kid. She just spent a few hours thinking about all the things she’s done that make her look like Rihanna at 18.

Skills to Put on a University Application CV

Extra credit:

Don’t copy-paste CV skills from online lists. The Dean will spot that from Serbia. But for reference:

Skills to Put on a University Application CV
Soft SkillsHard Skills
CommunicationTech Skills
Strong Work EthicComputer Skills
CollaborationMath
Time ManagementMS Office
Self-MotivatedPhysics
Fast LearnerScience
ListeningProgramming
Interpersonal SkillsHistory
Physically FitPublic Speaking
Problem SolvingSocial Media

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 CV in our CV builder now.

create your CV now

CREATE YOUR CV NOW

Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.

Expert Hint: Don’t just list university CV activities. Add details and numbers. How many? How often? How much? What percent? Show the size of your accomplishment.

4. Turn Boring High School Education Into University Acceptance

Of course:

You need education section on a high school CV for university applications.

But—

There are two ways to do it.

Only one way gets you in.

These university CV samples show the difference:

Education on a High School CV—Template 

Good Example

Education:

New West Charter School, London, UK
2014–2018 

  • Maintained A+ average in all Physics, English, and History classes.
  • Commended by 4 teachers for expert communication skills.
  • Co-Captain, Varsity Track Team.
  • Combined SAT scores 1300 (700 Verbal, 650 Math)
Bad Example

Education

New West Charter School, Los Angeles, CA
2014–2019

  • Co-Captain of Track Team.
  • GPA 3.3
  • SAT Scores 1300

The first of those university application CV examples proves you’ll do the university proud.

Expert Hint: In a cover letter for high school students applying for university, show passion. That means talking up core achievements that prove your drive.

5. See What Else Goes on a CV for University Application

What to put on a university application CV? Put anything that makes you stand out. Here are some examples of what to put on CVs for university:

  • Class Rank if it’s impressive.
  • Jobs. Jobs show work ethic on university admission CVs.
  • 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 tonne of books? Passions show you’ve got the drive to learn something that matters.
  • Sports. Don’t just list sports on a university CV. Add accomplishments like races won or records broken.
  • Positions. List captainships, Eagle Scout rank, or positions in church or 4-H groups. Those all energise high school CVs for university.
  • Hobbies. Are you good a fishing? Crafts? Hobbies prove you can work toward a goal.
  • Languages. Command of a foreign language looks great on university application CVs.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder 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 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Expert Hint: Should you list junior high in a CV for university application? Only to add impressive accomplishments that make the Dean sit straighter.

Key Points

For a UK university application CV that gets you past the watchdogs:

  • Start with the university applicant CV template at the top. It’ll get attention.
  • Use the right university application CV format. That way you’ll show you care enough to do things right.
  • List CV activities in your bullet points. Add details and numbers that show you’re not playing around.
  • Make your education section mean something. Show accomplishments in your university application CV education section.

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

Got questions on how to write a UK university application CV that sparkles? Still not sure what goes on a CV for university application? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Approach

At ResumeLab, excellence lies at the heart of our values, underpinning our promise to provide outstanding career resources. Our team of career experts meticulously assesses each article in line with our editorial guidelines, guaranteeing our content's high quality and dependability. We consistently engage in original research, illuminating the nuances of the job market and earning acclaim from various influential news outlets. Our commitment to delivering professional career advice draws millions of readers to our blog annually.

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Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Having published over 200 career-advice articles, Tom Gerencer is a career expert who covers the whole array of job-seeking topics for people at all career stages, from interns to C-suite members. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.

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