How should a high school student prepare a resume for college interviews?

I'm a high school junior and have an upcoming college interview. What should I include in my resume to stand out? I've done some volunteering and a couple of extracurriculars, but I'm unsure of the format and specifics.

Creating a high school resume for college interviews can seem daunting, but don't worry, you're not alone in this process! It's great that you're thinking about this step now, and your volunteering and extracurricular activities are an excellent start.

1. Choose a simple layout: Your resume should be simple, consistent, and easy to read. Use a standard font size (around 12 point), and keep it to one page. If you feel challenged by the formatting, plenty of resume templates are available online to guide you.

2. Use headers: Use headers to break up different sections of your resume such as "Education," "Work Experience," "Volunteering," and "Extracurricular Activities."

3. Education section: Here, note your high school and your expected graduation date. You might also include your GPA (if it's strong) and any honors or AP classes you've taken.

4. Work experience: If you've held a job or internship, even if it's part-time or during the Summer. Include the name of the company, your role, the duration you spent there, and bullet points detailing your responsibilities and achievements.

5. Volunteering: For each volunteering opportunity you've had, write the organization's name, the period during which you volunteered, and a brief description of your duties. If applicable, mention any significant accomplishments or impacts from your volunteering.

6. Extracurricular activities: List any clubs, sports, or other activities you've been a part of during high school. If you've had a leadership role, make sure to highlight it.

7. Skills section: If there's room, you might also want to include a "skills" section. This could include soft skills (like communication or team leadership), technical skills (such as proficiency in a foreign language, or in technical areas like coding), or instruments you play.

8. Proofread: Typos or grammatical errors can leave a negative impression. Once you're done writing, check your resume carefully for any mistakes. Ask someone else to look it over as well a fresh pair of eyes can often catch what you might have missed.

Remember, your resume is a tool to showcase your experiences and accomplishments to date. It doesn't need to be extensive; focus on quality over quantity and highlight your most significant achievements.

Good luck with your preparations! The college interview process can be intimidating, but by being prepared and showcasing your achievements effectively, you'll be on your way to acing it.