Why More Colleges Are Asking for Resumes—and How to Create One That Actually Helps

For years, the college application process revolved around transcripts, essays, and activity lists. But increasingly, colleges are giving students the invitation to submit a resume as part of their application.

This isn’t a coincidence.

Admissions offices are looking for clearer, more holistic ways to understand how students spend their time, take initiative, and grow beyond the classroom. A well-crafted resume helps them do exactly that.

The key word here is well-crafted.

A resume can strengthen an application, or it can add clutter, depending on how it’s done.

Why Colleges Are Inviting Resumes

Colleges know that the Common App activity section is limited and that not all meaningful experiences fit neatly into 150 characters. Some students take on substantial responsibilities through work, family obligations, or long-term projects.

A resume allows students to: show depth and progression, clarify leadership and impact, highlight work experience and responsibilities, and provide context that might otherwise be missed. 

When used correctly, a resume doesn’t repeat the application, it enhances it.

What a Strong College Resume Should Include

A college resume is not the same as a professional resume and it shouldn’t be padded with fluff. Quality matters more than quantity.

1. Education (Brief and Clear)

• High school name and location

• Graduation year

• GPA (weighted/unweighted, if strong)

• Relevant programs or pathways (IB, Magnet Pathway, Project Lead the Way, etc.)

2. Activities and Leadership (With Impact)

This is the heart of the resume. For each activity, include:

• Your role/title

• Organization name

• Dates of involvement

• A short description focused on what you did and why it mattered

Strong descriptions focus on: leadership, initiative, results and responsibility. Avoid vague phrases like “participated in” or “helped with” whenever possible.

3. Work Experience 

Paid work is highly valued as it illustrates grit, maturity, reliability, as well as time management skills.

Include:

• Job title and employer

• Hours per week and length of commitment

• Responsibilities and skills developed

4. Volunteering and Community Engagement

Volunteering is strongest when it’s consistent, meaningful and clearly connected to the student’s values or interests.

Focus on impact, not just hours.

5. Skills, Certifications, and Special Projects

This section is especially helpful for:

• Technical skills (coding languages, software, lab tools)

• Certifications (CPR, lifeguarding, industry credentials)

• Independent projects or research

• Creative or entrepreneurial work

If a student built, launched, researched, or designed something—this is where it belongs.

6. Honors and Awards 

Include awards that are meaningful, show distinction and reflect commitment or excellence. This does not need to be exhaustive.

What Should NOT Be Included

A college resume should not include a photo/headshot, an objective statement, personal data like age, birthdate, or address (city and state are fine!), middle school activities, every single club you ever joined. If it doesn’t add value, it doesn’t belong.

Design Matters (But Don’t Overdo It)

Admissions officers are human and readability matters.

Students should:

• Use Google Docs or Canva to format resumes cleanly

• Stick to one page 

• Use consistent fonts, spacing, and headers

• Avoid distracting graphics or colors

Think polished and professional, not flashy.

A clean design helps admissions officers quickly understand what the student prioritizes, how they spend their time, and where their strengths lie.

How the Resume Should Work With the Application

A resume should reinforce the student’s story, adding clarity or depth while highlighting experiences that may not fit elsewhere. It should not contradict or duplicate the application word-for-word. When done well, the resume becomes a quiet but powerful supporting document.

Final Thoughts

A resume is not about trying to impress colleges, it’s about helping them understand you.

For students who’ve worked, taken initiative, committed deeply to a few interests, or grown significantly over time, a resume can be one of the strongest additions to an application. Done thoughtfully, it tells colleges that this student knows how to reflect, prioritize, and communicate their impact.

And that’s exactly what colleges are looking for.