Writing Your Student Resume for College Applications

You're hoping to attend a selective college that accepts resumes, like Texas A&M and UT-Austin and know you need a standout application.

You're applying for a competitive part-time job, internship, or scholarship.

You know you need really strong letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, and mentors.

You don't know what goes into a student resume (or how long it should be).

You're feeling overwhelmed about what to include in the Common App's Activities List ... and how to maximize the character count there.

My best-kept secrets for impressing readers with killer accomplishments.

Insider tips on what you can (and can't) list as activities

Strategies for organizing your activities for maximum impact

My go-to template to have your resume up and running immediately

Insights on how you can use your resume for more than just college applications

The one thing you can add to your resume to instantly capture the reader's attention

Strategies for amping up a resume when you don't have a lot of activities

A can't-miss cover letter to accompany your letters of recommendation request

And you get it all at a fraction of the price of working with a college consultant on your resume!*

* This course doesn't replace working with a college consultant for admissions help, but it WILL make completing applications easier.

As an essay coach, I work with college applicants to help them recognize their accomplishments and draw unique connections between their life experiences, their values, and their college and career goals. I offer a customized approach to brainstorming, writing, and editing admission essays, and my accessibility and relatability to students are the cornerstone of my approach. I’m proud to ease the stress between students and parents while increasing students’ writing confidence.

I'm proud to collaborate with organizations like College Essay Guy and Texas A&M to help students achieve their college admission goals. I'm also a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches, to stay current on the industry.

But I also realize essays are just one part of the application puzzle. That's why I created this online resume course: To give students every advantage they can get when applying to competitive schools!

To help you create a stellar resume with zero stress, this self-paced, on-demand video course (with companion ebook) features:

A deep dive into the role the resume plays in admissions and in getting great letters of recommendation

Step-by-step instructions for filling out your resume, section by section

A list of uncommon extracurriculars you might not have considered

A cover letter template you can personalize to accompany your resume

Steps for translating your resume into your Common App Activities List.

End the course with a ready-to-go resume.

Get lifetime access to my on-demand video course

What do you know about writing resumes for college applications?
I've been a college admission essay coach since 2018, and I've helped adults write their resumes for more than 10 years. In addition to helping many students with their college applications (for both UT and A&M and competitive schools nationwide), I'm also a college essay specialist for the College Essay Guy and have written several guides on Texas admissions.

I also presented a resume-writing workshop at Texas A&M in July 2023 for A&M applicants at a school-sponsored camp.
I'm not applying to colleges yet. Why should I start writing my resume now?
High schoolers of any age are encouraged to get a head start on their resume. It's easier to document their activities and involvement as they participate, and this gives them the perfect structure for doing so.

Juniors will also want to start thinking about letters of recommendation the SPRING of their junior year, and having this start to the resume will make things even easier for them and will help their teachers write better letters of recommendation.

A well-planned resume can help students of any age improve their chances of getting jobs and internships.
Are resumes important for applying to UT-Austin and A&M?
UT-Austin and A&M are unique in that they admit students to the SCHOOL first and THEN to the major. Both schools look for what's called "fit to major." That means they're looking at your major-related experience, like internships, activities, and more.

A strong resume that shows your fit with your top-choice major can improve your chances of being accepted into that major, although it's not guaranteed.

For UT-Austin, showing you're a good fit for your top-choice major through your resume is increasingly important.

For A&M, resumes can support your admission into a major, but they appear to be more important for engineering majors.

Even if you're an auto-admit to the schools, you're not guaranteed acceptance into your major. This means a resume can be another important part of the admissions puzzle.
What if I'm not applying to A&M or UT-Austin? Do I still need a resume?
Not necessarily, but it can help! Here's why I think students need a great resume if they're getting ready to apply to college or they're applying to colleges right now:

* Other schools may encourage the submission of a resume to support their application overall or the student's first-choice major.
* Having a comprehensive resume can help teachers and other recommenders write you better letters of recommendation.
* It can support your application if you're applying for a job or an internship.
* Having a resume might even turn out to be a class assignment! (It was my son's first English assignment his senior year!)
What if I don't get my whole resume written by the end of the course?
This course contains everything you need to write a great resume. Take your time. There's no rush. Some sections will take a lot longer; some are faster. Resumes are also always works in progress. You might find you have a draft of the resume by the end of the course but you need to update it regularly.

If you need additional support, you can reach out to me to check my availability for one-on-one support.
What does "lifetime access" mean?
It means you'll have access to this course for as long as it exists, and you'll also have access to any updates and additions I make.
Can't I write my resume without the help of this course?
Absolutely. There are plenty of resources online to guide you.

However, this course walks you through each step of the process — ideal for students who are applying to selective schools or scholarships that require a resume and for students who want to make sure their resumes are strong and effective. My step-by-step instructions and companion guide will help you do just that.
What if I'm not applying to colleges at all after high school. Will this course still help me?
It sure will! You can absolutely use this course to help you build a resume for post-graduation jobs. Although this course is tailored more for resumes for college-bound students, the exercises and strategies will also help you build a foundation for a strong resume.
Is this a live course, or can I complete it at my leisure?
This is not a live, group course. Instead, it's an at-your-own-pace video course (and online ebook) that you can access whenever you're ready to get started working on your resume. Whether you want to get it done over the course of a weekend or several months, I'll be here, ready for you!