Why It Is Important To Have A Student Resume
Everyone knows that competition for college admission is incredibly tough. College-bound students should seize every possible opportunity to put themselves ahead of their competition; one way to get noticed by college admission officers and take the lead for available admission slots is to create a professional student résumé.
Students who create a résumé show they are willing to go beyond the required application materials to demonstrate the initiative that college admission officers like to see. Résumés allow students to present themselves in the best possible manner; they can emphasize their strengths, highlight accomplishments, and present information in the order that best shows their college potential and overall personality. On college applications, students are forced to complete information as it is displayed on the application form, while résumés give the freedom to present accomplishments as best suits the student and, as a result, to shine more in the eyes of college admission officers.
Students - there are numerous ways to effectively use your student résumé beyond simply including it with college applications. For example, during campus visits when you meet with college professors who teach classes in your major, provide a copy of your résumé for their consideration of you as a prospective student entering their department next year. This typically creates a tremendous, “Wow factor”, which usually results in professors becoming advocates for your admission. In addition, scholarship applications are greatly enhanced by including a profession-looking résumé and doing so will increase your odds of winning the award.
In addition, provide a copy of your student résumé to each adult writing recommendations on your behalf this fall. This way they can write outstanding recommendations by using some important details shown on your résumé.
Creating a great student résumé demonstrates your drive and enthusiasm to college representatives and scholarship sponsors. A well-written résumé creates the advantage you may need to gain admission to your college of choice and to win significant scholarships.
Take the time to create a detailed student résumé this summer; it will be worth the effort.
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Kudos to whomever is writing this stuff.
FYI, I am a college admission consultant and an adjunct professor at American River College. I have been consulting college-bound students and their parents for more than 10 years on all aspects of the college admission and financial aid processes . . . and love what I do. It is so rewarding to see good students get through the difficult application process and get accepted to their college of choice (usually with significant scholarship money).
I have authored two guides on college admissions and am a frequent key note speaker at college admission-related events. I have been profiled by numerous publications and appeared on and been interviewed by media organizations including Good Day Sacramento (twice).
I am an active member of the Western Association of College Admission Counselors (WACAC), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the National Education Association (NEA), and the California Teachers Association (CTA). I received my B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from California Lutheran University and my M.S. from California State University, Northridge.
I decided to blog on the Auburn Journal to share my time-tested recommendations / suggestions that improve students' potential for getting accepted to their college of choice and for receiving scholarship and grant money.
Thank you.
It is amazing how much bad information there is out there that sounds good. As a former admission officer at a highly selective institution, let me assure you that resumes or "brag sheets" are annoying and usually a turn-off. First, admission officers are reading 30-50 applications a day and coding the information and their impressions on a summary sheet. Additional filler requires more time to peruse and does not present information in the proper format.
Students are "forced to complete information as it is displayed" so that admission officers can efficiently read applications. Students who depart from the format do not show initiative; they demonstrate insensitivity and arrogance.
Second, brag sheets often are the result of inappropriate interference from well meaning parents or independent counselors. They often scream "packaging." Just as a first date who is trying to hard, comes off as insecure and desperate, so too do these students who are trying too hard.
You will certainly find admission officers who claim to love resumes and some actually do; however, at the many conferences and workshops I have attended with other admission officers, these are a common source of profound annoyance. Why risk it?
A student resume is multi-purpose, not just used as an attachment to college applications.
First, a resume should be used to provide adult recommenders with details about student activities and accomplishments. Letters of recommendation which contain details are superior to more "generic" letters; this applies to both letters of recommendation for college admission and scholarships. Providing a resume to recommenders enables them to write superior recommendation letters because they can be specific about the student.
Second, the "Wow" factor resulting from giving college professors resume copies is real. I've seen it first hand. In fact, every case I have observed, college professors ARE VERY IMPRESSED by high school students who provide them a resume. It's perfect way to end a visit.
Third, including a resume with scholarship applications allows students to customize presentation of their achievements to better show how they meet the specific criteria of each scholarship.
Lastly, a properly formatted student resume (a format that mimics the typical college application, including the Common App) will impress more than annoy. For proactive universities that forbid submittal of information beyond the required application materials, no resume should be submitted. Hence, no annoyance for admission officers at those schools.
The answer to the question is: Why NOT risk making a positive impression and being a standout beyond the "usual" student applicant
MMC, You may have uncovered one of the trolls that live around here.
FAO, I am sorry you were put off by the initiative shown by some students.