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.

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Looking for a different kind of type CV? We've got you covered:

• University Graduate
• Entry-Level Positions
• Graduate School Application
• High School Graduate
• High School Student
• Internship CV
• Law School Application
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Application
• Student CV
• Teen CV
• Computer Science (CS) Student CV

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

Free University Application CV Template

 

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

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.

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

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.

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 Skills	Hard Skills
Communication	Tech Skills
Strong Work Ethic	Computer Skills
Collaboration	Math
Time Management	MS Office
Self-Motivated	Physics
Fast Learner	Science
Listening	Programming
Interpersonal Skills	History
Physically Fit	Public Speaking
Problem Solving	Social 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.

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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 

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)

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.

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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.

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