I'm getting ready for my first college interview and was told to bring a resume. What's the best way to organize it and what should I definitely include on it to make a good impression?
When crafting a resume for your college interview, it's crucial to keep it concise, focused and easy to read. It's a way to showcase your high school career and your interests, giving your interviewer a snapshot of who you are. Here's a general template, but remember to tailor it according to your own experiences and achievements.
1. Heading: This should contain your full name, address, email, and phone number. Make sure your email address looks professional.
2. Education: List your high school and graduation year, along with your GPA (unweighted or weighted, just specify which one), and test scores (if they're strong).
3. Courses: Mention any relevant or advanced coursework like honors, APs or IBs. You don’t need to include every class you’ve taken, just the most rigorous and relevant ones.
4. Extracurricular Activities: This might be the most important section! List your activities in order of importance to you, not necessarily in order of the time you committed. Write clear, concise descriptions of your role and impact. Also specify the dates of involvement.
5. Work Experience or Internships: Include any part-time jobs, internships, or even significant volunteering that feels like work. Highlight your responsibilities and any skills you gained.
6. Awards and Honors: If you've received any accolades, whether they're academic, sports-related, community-related, or otherwise, be sure to include these. List them along with a brief description and the year you received them.
7. Skills and Interests: If you have any particular skills or interests that are relevant to colleges or just a key part of who you are, mention them. This could include languages spoken, computer programming skills, musical talents, etc.
Remember that a resume for your college interview should ideally be only one page long and should be clear and easy to read. Also, stick to the truth and avoid any exaggeration, as this document is meant to honestly reflect your accomplishments. Good luck with your college interview!
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