This content was originally published in St. Louis Magazine’s Private School Handbook.
How did you spend your time during high school, and what does it reveal about the type of person you are? Those are the questions college admissions officials are trying to answer when they look at your résumé.
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College application resumes are different than the resumes you’ll write to apply for work. Say you’re applying for a summer job at the mall. Your future boss will want to know whether you have the experience and skills required for the position: Can you follow directions? Can you keep the cash register balanced? A store manager may scan your résumé for proof of your efficiency and math competency.
But a college education is so much more than a job—it’s an opportunity to grow into the kind of person you want to be. College admission officers are looking for students who share their school’s approach to learning, who demonstrate values that match the institution’s, and who can succeed in an academically rigorous environment. So a college application essay isn’t just a laundry list of things you’ve done; it’s a CliffsNotes version of who you are, in the classroom and outside it.
But a quick Google search of sample college application résumés can be daunting. Most include room to list awards, leadership positions, and honors. What if you don’t have any? Never fear. You can still craft a résumé that will impress colleges and universities. The trick is to use your résumé to communicate your personality and character.
1. Start with a brainstorm.
Colleges will look at your high school transcript to answer some basic questions about your schoolwork. When preparing your résumé, start by making a list of things you do that won’t show up on a transcript. Here are some questions to get you started.
Are you a member of any clubs?
Have you helped classmates in a challenging class?
Do you take care of siblings or a grandparent after school?
Have you ever had a job?
Do you play a sport?
Do you speak another language?
How do you spend your summers? Weekends?
2. Forget the stereotypes.
Don’t let anyone tell you that playing video games can’t go on a résumé. It’s unorthodox, granted, but the stereotype of the lazy teen stuck in a Cheeto-orange haze in the basement is loosening its grip. Last year, Maryville University’s eSports Club team ended its undefeated inaugural season by winning a video game championship at one of the biggest tournaments in North America.
The same goes for social media. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat have emerged as vital components of today’s media landscape, and schools want to know whether you’ve used these tools beyond just keeping up with friends. Do you have a blog? Can you shoot and edit video for online? Do you create GIFs or memes that go viral? Have your photography skills earned you a large following? Put it on the list.
3. Make it count.
A great résumé makes connections between a person’s activities and his or her character. Look at the list you’ve made of the things you’ve done during your high school career and ask yourself: Which of these best showcases my determination, leadership potential, passion, or problem-solving skills? Give those activities a prime spot on your résumé, and include a short explanation if the connection isn’t immediately clear.
