Watch the Matriculate x CollegeVine webinar to hear from Sarah (former Matriculate Advising Fellow and current Matriculate staff member) and a Matriculate alum – Wiralba (QuestBridge Match Scholar at Grinnell College) for tips on how to write a college resume. Here are some key takeaways:
“SHOULD I SUBMIT MY RESUME TO COLLEGES?”
(Start the video at 17:38 to learn more.) The short answer is, “Yes!” On the Common App, you can only add 10 activities to the Activity Section and use only 150 characters to describe them. By submitting your resume, you can share all of your activities with colleges and share far more details than 150 characters will allow. Note: Some colleges will not have the option to upload a resume to the application, in this case, use your resume as a guide to complete the Activity Section. Here’s advice from Common App on ‘Approaching the Activity Section.’
“WHAT SHOULD I PUT ON MY COLLEGE RESUME?”
Unlike a professional resume, where the reader is looking for professional skills and experience, colleges are more interested in your scholastic achievements, awards, activities, athletics, clubs, leadership, community service, special talents, and other program participation .. *AHEM* Matriculate! 🙂 The college admission resume is designed to show how you spend time when you’re not sleeping, eating, or in school, and what you’re passionate about.
HOW TO WRITE A RESUME FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS?
Use this free college application resume template and verbs list to get started! Start the video at 4:12 to learn how to write the different sections of the resume.
Here are some key experiences to include on a college resume:
- Volunteerism and Work Experience: While college resumes focus on your academics and how you spend time in school, the purpose of the Activity Section is to better know you as a student and how you spend time outside of the classroom – this includes your afterschool job, summer internship, and all volunteer work (even if it was a club requirement).
- Leadership: Don’t forget to include your job title! In each activity description, if you‘ve had a specific job or leadership position, include that – for example: team captain, Vice President, Teacher’s Assistant, etc.
- Family Responsibility: Many students have major responsibilities at home, including Home Health Aid, caring for younger siblings, etc – you should also include this in your resume!
WHAT SHOULD I DO TO IMPROVE MY RESUME?
Looking for advice on how to spend your summer and add more to your resume? Check out the CollegeVine x Matriculate webinar on “How to Make the Most of Your Summer.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
NEED FREE COLLEGE APPLICATION SUPPORT?
If you’re a high school junior and need free college application help – the Matriculate Class of 2026 Application will open in February 2025. Join our mailing list and get early access to the application!
If you’re a younger student and need free college application help – join our mailing list to receive quarterly college prep newsletters and and be the first to get access to the application for your class.
MEET THE AUTHORS
Wiralba Pichardo
Wiralba is a current junior at Grinnell College, a QuestBridge scholarship recipient, and a Matriculate High School Fellow alumna. Currently based in Barcelona for her study abroad program, Wiralba is a political science major with a concentration in education. She is very passionate about rural and urban education initiatives and bettering education. She loves cooking and is currently exploring saffron recipes.
Sarah Oppenheim
Sarah is from Bay, Arkansas and is the High School Fellow Recruitment Associate at Matriculate. Prior to this role, she was an Advising Fellow with Matriculate and graduated from Columbia University in 2021. In her free time, she loves kayaking, hiking, and trying new restaurants.