I'm working on my resume to apply for college scholarships and I'm not sure what to include. What are some must-have sections or tips that can help make my resume stand out to scholarship committees?
Sure, I can share some tips for creating a strong resume for college scholarships.
1. Header: Start with a header that includes your name and contact information, such as your phone number and email address. This makes it easy for scholarship committees to get in touch with you.
2. Objective Statement: Though not required, it can be helpful to include a brief objective statement. This is typically one to two sentences that clarify your career goals and express why you're a good fit for the scholarship.
3. Education: Next, list your high school and any post-secondary educations like community college or online courses, if applicable. Include your GPA (if it's strong) and graduation year.
4. Relevant Coursework: If you've taken any courses that relate directly to the scholarship you're applying for, be sure to include these.
5. Extracurricular Activities: Any school clubs, athletics, hobbies, or other outside activities can showcase personal interests, leadership skills, engagement, and initiative.
6. Work Experience/Internships: Graphic designers or film studies students, for instance, might include a portfolio link. However, remember to only include this section if you've job experiences related to the scholarship’s field.
7. Honors and Awards: Depending on the scholarship, academic, community service, or even athletic honors could be relevant.
8. Volunteer Experience: Use this section to highlight any community service or volunteer work you've done. This can demonstrate your commitment to helping others and your involvement in your community.
9. Skills: Soft skills, like leadership or time management, and hard skills, like proficiency in a foreign language or computer programming, can give you an edge.
10. References: Unless specifically asked for, references aren't necessary to include on the resume itself. Just be sure that you have two or three people who can vouch for your attributes if needed.
Remember to keep the formatting consistent and easy to read, and limit your resume to one page if possible. Tailor your resume to fit the scholarship you're applying for by emphasizing the most relevant experiences and skills. Review your resume for any errors - attention to detail matters.
While a resume is important, don't forget that your essays, recommendation letters, and academic performance play a significant role in scholarship applications as well. Good luck!
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