How to create a college resume template that stands out.
Streamline your college application process with this comprehensive college resume template guide.
Applying to college is an exciting milestone for many high schoolers. And every college resume you send gets you one step closer to an acceptance letter. That’s why each resume is so important — it just might be your ticket into the school of your dreams. Here are some college resume template guidelines that will help you impress your next admissions officer.
What to include in a college resume template.
Your college resume should include details about you. Start with the basics like:
- Your contact info
- A quick bio
- Education history
- Grades and awards
- Extracurricular activities
Knowing how to list certifications on your resume template can help set you apart and showcase your experience and/or talents.
How to write a college resume template.
Include details you think a college admissions officer would find interesting. Consider what sets you apart as a student and makes you a unique candidate. For example, if you’re on the high school swim team or have a passion for travel, include that kind of information to give them a fuller picture of who you really are. If you have an existing professional resume PDF, you can use this as a starting point. Simply convert your PDF to a Microsoft Word document to edit it as a college resume.
As you’re including details in your resume, keep these tips for how to write a college resume template in mind:
- Feature achievements that might appeal to the specific college you’re applying for.
- Use measurable language instead of adjectives.
- Remember that details will showcase your achievements best.
- Focus on how you excelled, not just how you participated.
- You’ve probably achieved more than you think. Think about your accomplishments and ask friends and family for input.
Formatting styles for college student resume template.
There are a few ways to choose a formatting style that will help you stand out to admissions. But first, always make sure you’re using a sharp and legible font and have plenty of well-placed white space to avoid overcrowding. Then, choose a style that fits your personality and appeals to the college you’re applying to. Many college resumes are simple, black and white, with a professional headshot. Depending on where you’re applying, you can also experiment with color and tasteful graphics to be more eye-catching.
Regardless of which formatting style you choose, make sure your resume fits entirely on one page. Multiple pages can very quickly become cumbersome and look unprofessional.
Why use a college application resume template?
You’re likely applying for more than one college — you might even be applying for many! Using a college application resume template for your resume will help the process go much more smoothly. With a template, you can still customize what you include to cater to the college you’re applying for. Still, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel with each application. Instead, you can use a template that ensures effective formatting and helps you remember your key points.
Organize and save your college resume template.
Next, organize your college application resume template. You can do this in chronological or reverse chronological order. You can also separate your resume by categories, like education and extracurricular activities.
Once your resume is complete and organized, save it to your Adobe Acrobat storage so you can access it on any device. PDF is the most professional format to submit your resume, so don’t forget to convert your file! And if a college requires you to sign your college resume before submitting it, you can use a PDF signature tool.
Explore what more you can do with Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat online services to make your academic future even brighter.
