You can apply for a summer program, a scholarship, or college itself, but in any case, a well-organised resume will help you stand out.

Colleges that let or encourage you to submit one via their application portal or the Common App will find it very useful. Even if it isn’t needed, it’s a professional way to highlight your accomplishments and sets the tone for your application.

In this post, I will tell you how to make a college resume for high school students and how to format it like a pro. And yes, I’ll include a few examples for different types of applicants.

What Is a High School Resume for College Applications?

A college application resume is basically a one-page snapshot of everything you’ve done in and outside of school. It includes your academics, clubs, volunteer work, part-time jobs, and any superb skills you’ve picked up along the way.

From what I’ve seen working with students, it’s a great way to pull everything together and show who you are, in addition to your GPA, test scores, and college interview.

And no, you don’t need to have a job or a long list of awards to make a strong high school student resume. Most great examples I’ve seen focus on effort, involvement, and what makes you unique. You’ve got more to include than you probably think.

How to Make a College Resume for High School Students?

From working with students on their college admissions for years, I’ve seen that the way you put your resume together matters as much as what you include.

A great resume should tell a story about who you are, what you’re into, and how you spend your time.

Step 1. Blank Document

Skip the flashy resume templates. They can be hard to edit and don’t always print or upload cleanly. You’re better off starting with a blank document and setting it up section by section. 

Step 2. Brain Dump Everything

Before you start writing, make a huge list of everything you’ve done since 9th grade—no filtering yet. Focus on these categories:

• Your leadership roles
• Community service projects
• Part-time jobs
• Sports teams
• Club involvement
• Academic honors
• Relevant coursework
• Hobbies and interests

It might feel messy, but this step is where the best content comes from. You can also look back at your cover letter drafts or extracurricular activities list for ideas you’ve already written out.

Step 3. Organize Everything

Now it’s time to sort that mess.

Group your list into clear categories like Work Experience section, Academic Achievements, Extracurricular Activities, Community Service, Skills and Accomplishments, and Relevant Coursework. This makes it easier to spot what’s missing and figure out what deserves the spotlight.

For example, suppose you’re light on work experience. In that case, you could highlight leadership roles in clubs or unique experiences, such as running a small business, tutoring, or organizing a community fundraiser.

Step 4. Write Clear Bullet Points

This part might take a little time, but it really pays off. Use bullet points to show what you did, how often you did it, and why it mattered.

So, start with strong action words like organized, led, created, or managed—they make your experiences sound more confident and clear.

If you can, throw in some numbers to show the scale of what you did. For example, instead of writing “Helped with events,” try “Coordinated monthly volunteer events for 40+ students at a local shelter.” That kind of specific detail is what catches the attention of admissions officers.

Step 5. Edit and Proofread

Even the strongest content can fall flat if it’s full of typos or formatting issues.

I recommend that you read your resume out loud—seriously, this helps you catch awkward phrasing. Then ask someone else you trust (a teacher, mentor, or even a parent) to review it. Pay close attention to alignment, bullet formatting, and consistency.

College Resume Format for High School Students

You have your content, and now let’s make it look good.

1️⃣ Please keep it to one page.

Colleges don’t need a novel, so one page is enough for a professional resume. Prioritize the most meaningful experience and skills.

2️⃣ Use a clean, professional layout.

Pick standard fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman. Also, keep font sizes between 10–12 pt and use bold or italics sparingly for section headers.

3️⃣ Stick to reverse chronological order.

List your most recent experience first in each section. This format is what admissions offices expect from high school seniors.

4️⃣ Use bullet points.

Never write long paragraphs. Bullets make your resume more readable and help clearly highlight your accomplishments.

5️⃣ Save and submit as a high-quality PDF.

Word documents may look different on other computers. A PDF locks in your formatting, which keeps it looking professional and consistent.

Once you’re done, you’ll have a document that supports your whole college application. It complements your cover letter, adds depth to your extracurricular activities list, and gives your letters of recommendation more context.

via GIPHY

Resume Samples for High School Students Applying to College

You can focus on academics, leadership, or balancing school, work, and community service. There’s no one-size-fits-all format—but there are patterns that work. So, seeing college resume examples always helps.

🧠 Academic-Focused Resume Sample

Perfect if you’re aiming for a selective program or want to show off your academic achievements to your dream school.

High School: Washington STEM Magnet High School
GPA: 4.3 (Weighted), 3.9 (Unweighted)
Relevant Coursework: AP Calculus AB, AP Biology, Honors Chemistry

Honors & Awards:

• National Merit Commended Scholar (2024)
• 1st Place – Regional Science Fair (Biochemistry category)
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Honor Roll – All Semesters

Extracurricular Activities:

Robotics Club, Team Lead (2022–Present)

• Oversaw coding and design for competition robots
• Led team to state finals two years in a row
• Mentored underclassmen on basic Python and mechanical design

Science Olympiad, Member (2021–Present)

• Competed in Anatomy & Physiology and Disease Detectives
• Placed in top 3 at regional competitions both junior and senior years

Mathletes, Captain (2022–2023)

• Organized weekly practice sessions
• Represented school in county-wide math bowl; team placed second overall

Community Service:

Math Tutor, Volunteer (2022–2024)

• Tutored 6th–8th grade students in algebra and geometry through a local after-school program
• Logged over 60 volunteer hours helping students improve test scores

Skills and Accomplishments:

• Proficient in Python, Excel, and Google Sheets
• Strong public speaking skills; presented science fair projects to large audiences twice
• Detail-oriented, with strong time management and collaboration abilities

🏅 Leadership & Extracurricular Resume Sample

This format works well if you’ve been involved in clubs, sports, or student government.

High School: Eastview High School
GPA: 3.7
Relevant Coursework: AP U.S. History, Public Speaking, Intro to Business

Leadership Roles:

Student Council, Vice President (2023–Present)

• Helped organize Spirit Week, winter formal, and student-led town hall meetings
• Assisted principal in gathering student feedback on school policies

Environmental Club, Founder & President (2022–Present)

• Created and led a school-wide recycling initiative
• Hosted sustainability workshops and partnered with local eco-organizations

Varsity Soccer, Team Captain (2023–2024)

• Led daily practices, motivated team morale, and coordinated with coaches
• Managed fundraiser for new uniforms, raising over $1,000

Extracurricular Activities:

Yearbook Committee, Lead Editor (2023–2024)

• Oversaw page layout, photography, and content selection
• Managed deadlines and edited submissions from 15+ students

School Podcast, Co-host (2022–2024)

• Produced and hosted over a dozen episodes focused on student life and current events
• Interviewed teachers, students, and guest alumni

Community Service:

• Organized three campus clean-up days with over 40 student participants
• Raised $2,300 for a local animal shelter through a student-run fundraiser

Skills and Accomplishments:

• Canva and Google Slides for design
• Event planning and promotion
• Completed leadership training course through YMCA Youth Leaders Program

⚖️ Balanced Resume With Work Experience & Volunteering

If you’ve had a job, consider this resume sample for high school students for college application.

High School: Lincoln Park High School
GPA: 3.5
Relevant Coursework: Environmental Science, English Honors, Personal Finance

Work Experience:

Barista, Java Bean Café (2023–Present)

• Worked 15 hours/week while maintaining full-time school schedule
• Trained two new employees and consistently praised for customer service
• Handled opening/closing duties and processed daily cashouts

Babysitter, Private Clients (2022–Present)

• Regularly babysat for two families with children aged 3–8
• Managed homework time, bedtime routines, and activities

Community Service:

Meals on Wheels, Volunteer (2023–Present)

• Delivered hot meals weekly to homebound seniors
• Helped prep and pack food kits during holiday seasons

Peer Mentor Program, Mentor (2022–2024)

• Supported incoming 9th graders during orientation and throughout the year
• Met monthly with mentees to check in on academic and social adjustment

Extracurricular Activities:

Spanish Club, Treasurer (2023–2024)

• Handled budgeting and supply purchasing for club events
• Helped organize a bilingual cultural fair attended by over 100 students

School Newspaper, Writer (2022–Present)

• Wrote monthly articles covering student highlights, sports, and school events
• Conducted interviews and edited submissions for publication

Hobbies and Interests:

• Photography (especially nature and candid portraits)
• Hiking local trails on weekends
• Reviewing books on Goodreads and sharing recs with friends

Skills and Accomplishments:

• Strong customer service and time management
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• CPR Certified (Red Cross, 2023)

These examples of college resume for high school students show how you can highlight your strengths: academic, leadership-oriented, or well-rounded.

High School Resume Template for College Application

This college resume template works well whether you’re applying for college, scholarships, or summer programs—and it fits the ideal format for high school students.

Final Tips for Students

Before you hit submit on your college applications, take a moment to polish everything. As an admissions consultant, I know that a well-written high school resume creates a great first impression and makes your application stand out.

If you’re unsure how to start, talk to your school counselor or consider working with the best college admission consultants—they will give you personalized advice on what to include. Don’t forget to add a concise and relevant resume objective if it feels right, but keep it brief.

Finally, when you write a high school resume, focus on clarity and honesty. Say you’re proud of your accomplishments and test scores, and show it. Submitting a clean, thoughtful resume is one of the easiest ways to give your application a boost.