What's the best way to structure a high school resume for college apps?

I'm starting to put together my resume for college applications and want to make it stand out. What are some key elements or formats that successful applicants have used? Looking for templates or examples that have worked.

Creating a standout resume for college admissions can certainly give your application an edge as it's an organized snapshot of your accomplishments. A well-structured resume should provide a comprehensive view of your academic and personal achievements, showcasing not just your grades, but also your extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, awards, and work or volunteering experiences.

Here's a suggested format:

1. Header: Begin with your name, address, phone number, and a professional email id.

2. Education: This should include your high school name, expected graduation date, GPA, class rank (if it's strong), specific coursework, honors classes, or a high SAT or ACT score.

3. Extracurricular Activities: This is where quality over quantity benefits you. Focus on 8 - 10 activities in which you have significant involvement, with a preference towards those in Tiers 1 to 3 of the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars.

4. Work Experience: Paid jobs, internships, or significant roles in family businesses can show responsibility, leadership, and the ability to juggle priorities. Make sure to highlight any accomplishments, tasks, or responsibilities you had.

5. Volunteer work or community service: Show commitment to helping others and the impact you've made in serving your community.

6. Skills: Any additional language skills, computer or technical skills, certifications etc.

7. Awards and Honors: Include any recognitions you have received in academic or extracurricular areas.

All sections should be listed in reverse chronological order with most recent at the top. Wherever possible, use bullet points to make your resume clean, readable and easy to skim.

Lastly, keep it concise—one to two pages at most. Consider tailoring it slightly for each school, emphasizing activities and experiences that align with the ethos of a particular college. Always proofread your resume to ensure there are no errors. Good luck with your applications!