When applying for academic opportunities, your college resume isn't just a list of activities — it’s your personal highlight reel.

Whether you're a high school senior, a community transfer, or a non-traditional student returning after years away, a compelling document can support your search and interviews.

This article features realistic resume examples for different backgrounds and goals — with detailed explanations for why each one works.

College resume examples

High school student college resume

High school student college resume template

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High school student college resume sample | Plain text

Name: Maya Chen
Chicago, IL
Email: maya.chen@gmail.com
Phone: (312) 555-0193

Objective

Motivated and curious high school senior seeking admission to a top liberal arts college with a focus on psychology and social impact. Passionate about mental health education and student advocacy.

Education

Northside College Prep, Chicago, IL
Expected Graduation: June 2025
GPA: 3.9/4.0
SAT: 1400 (Math 680, Verbal 720)

Activities & Leadership

President, Mental Health Awareness Club

  • Founded club to promote student well-being; hosted 5+ campus-wide events
  • Partnered with local therapists to lead seminars

Editor, School Newspaper

  • Published 15+ articles; led a team of 12 students
  • Redesigned layout and increased readership by 25%

Volunteer Work

Peer Listener Program

  • Trained in empathetic listening and mental health resources
  • Logged over 100 hours of peer support services

Awards

  • AP Scholar with Honor
  • Illinois State Writing Contest – 2nd Place

Skills

  • Public Speaking
  • Canva, Google Docs
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Event Planning

Why this high school resume template is effective?

How to format an undergraduate college resume?

  • Limit to one page format. Keep content focused and relevant.
  • If you absolutely need more space, 1.5 pages in resume length max — but aim for clarity, not quantity.
  • Choose plain fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, Garamond, Helvetica, or Times New Roman.
  • Apply font styles (bold, italics) consistently to maintain visual balance.
  • Keep margins between 0.5" and 1".
  • Ensure adequate spacing between sections or resume for clarity.
  • Align dates text neatly; utilize consistent formatting for dates, locations, and headings.
  • Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb.
  • Customize each paper with resume keywords.
  • Proofread for grammar, typos, and punctuation.
  • Save as a PDF to preserve structure.

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Transfer student college resume

Transfer student college resume example

Name: Samuel Trevino
San Diego, CA
Email: sam.trevino@gmail.com
Phone: (619) 555-6677

Summary

Second-year community college student seeking transfer to a four-year university to complete a degree in environmental studies. Brings hands-on research experience, strong GPA, and a deep commitment to climate advocacy.

Education

San Diego Mesa College – Associate of Science in Environmental Studies
GPA: 3.85
Expected Graduation: May 2027

Relevant Coursework

  • Environmental Ethics
  • Marine Biology
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Experience

Student Research Assistant, Coastal Cleanup Initiative, 2025

  • Collected and analyzed pollution data from five local beaches
  • Presented findings at regional environmental conference

Barista, EcoBean Café, 2024

  • Managed register and prepared drinks in high-volume local café
  • Initiated composting system that reduced waste by 30%

Activities

  • Member, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
  • Volunteer, Surfrider Foundation – monthly beach cleanups

Skills

  • GIS mapping
  • Time Management
  • Customer Service
  • Public Speaking

Why this resume template for college student stands out?

How to choose between summary and objective?

When to pick an objective for resume:

  • Ideal for high school students, recent graduates, or those with limited background
  • Useful for expressing your goals, academic focus, or motivation for applying
  • Helps provide context when your resume is light on formal achievements

Example of a college resume objective:

Driven senior aiming to study psychology at a liberal arts college, with strong interest in student advocacy and mental health education.

When a summary in resume works better:

  • Best for applicants with hands-on experience
  • Suitable for career transfer or returning students with a career or life expertise

Example of a college resume summary:

3rd-year community college student with a 3.9 GPA and fieldwork in marine biology. Committed to advancing coastal conservation through research and education.

Non-traditional student college resume

Non-traditional student college resume template

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Non-traditional student college resume sample | Plain text

Name: Dana Brooks
Tulsa, OK
Email: dbrooks@gmail.com
Phone: (918) 555-9912

Summary

Motivated adult learner returning to college to pursue a nursing degree. Offers 10+ years of experience in caregiving, excellent interpersonal skills, and a proven record of reliability under pressure.

Education

Currently Enrolled in Pre-Nursing Program
Tulsa Community College – Anticipated Graduation: Dec 2025

High School Diploma
Tulsa Central High School, 2014

Experience

In-Home Caregiver, Self-employed | Tulsa, OK

June 2016 – Present

  • Provided full-time care for elderly clients with chronic illnesses
  • Assisted with daily tasks, medication schedules, and transportation

Shift Supervisor, CVS Pharmacy

Jan 2014 – May 2016

  • Managed inventory, trained staff, and handled conflict resolution
  • Maintained customer satisfaction and adherence to safety policies

Certifications

  • CNA Training (in progress)
  • CPR/First Aid Certified, 2024

Skills

  • Empathy & Compassion
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Time Management
  • Adaptability

Why this college student resume template works?

  • Demonstrates responsibility, maturity, and motivation
  • Contains certifications and plans for future qualifications
  • Shows continuity and commitment despite time away from school

How to list education on a student resume?

  • Provide the degree type and complete school name.
  • Add its location (city and state).
  • Mention the expected or actual graduation date.
  • Share your GPA if it’s 3.0 or above.
  • Highlight latin honors, class rank, or test scores.
  • You may include study abroad or dual-enrollment programs.

Scholarship-focused college resume

Scholarship-focused college resume example

Name: Leila Ahmed
Boston, MA
Email: leila.ahmed@gmail.com
Phone: (857) 555-3356

Objective

Driven student applying for the Gates Scholarship, committed to community service and academic excellence. Aspires to become a civil rights attorney.

Education

Boston Latin Academy

GPA: 4.0 | Class Rank: Top 5%

SAT: 1520

Honors & Awards

  • National Honor Society
  • National Speech & Debate Tournament – Finalist
  • QuestBridge College Prep Scholar

Leadership

Debate Team Captain

  • Mentored 10+ new debaters; led team to regional championships

Civic Engagement Ambassador, City of Boston

  • Organized voter registration drives in local high schools
  • Designed workshops on civic rights for teens

Community Involvement

  • 200+ hours of volunteer work with Girls Who Code
  • Created a tutoring program for ESL students

Skills

  • Legal Research Basics
  • Persuasive Writing
  • Public Policy Knowledge
  • Multilingual: English, Arabic, Spanish

What makes this academic resume template great?

  • Focuses on leadership and community impact — key for scholarship boards
  • Aligns with career goals in law and public service
  • Shows depth of initiative across multiple areas

How to organize experience on an undergraduate college resume?

  • Begin with your most recent position and follow reverse chronological resume template.
  • Clearly provide your title on resume.
  • Define the full name of the organization.
  • Include the city and state where the job took place.
  • List the month and year you started and ended each role.
  • Emphasize tasks and results. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

STEM college applicant resume

STEM college applicant resume template

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Name: Noah Patel
Seattle, WA
Email: noah.patel@gmail.com
Phone: (206) 555-4411

Objective

Aspiring computer science major with a passion for AI and software development. Seeking admission to a research-focused STEM program to further explore machine learning and robotics.

Education

Roosevelt High School
GPA: 3.95
SAT: 1490

Technical Projects

Autonomous Drone System

  • Built and programmed a drone using Python and Arduino
  • Integrated GPS and obstacle sensors for navigation

Mobile App: "StudyMate"

  • Developed an app that matches students with virtual study partners
  • 500+ downloads on Google Play

Internships

Summer Intern, Microsoft TEALS Program

  • Assisted high school CS teachers in coding instruction
  • Helped students troubleshoot Python and Java assignments

Extracurriculars

  • Robotics Club (Co-founder)
  • Math Olympiad Finalist
  • Hackathon Participant – Won Best Beginner Hack

Skills

  • Programming: Python, Java, HTML/CSS
  • Arduino, Raspberry Pi
  • GitHub Collaboration
  • Critical Thinking

Why this resume template of college student will attract admissions?

What skills to put on a college student resume template?

  • Hard skills are teachable abilities or knowledge sets that can be measured. These are gained through education, training, or hands-on expertise and are directly related to the technical aspects of a job.
  • Soft skills are personal attributes that are harder to quantify but equally important. These relate to how you work with others, your attitude, and your behavior in various situations.

Hard skills:

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
  • Programming Languages (Python, Java, C++)
  • Data Analysis (SPSS, Excel, R)
  • Web Design (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Graphic Design (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Social Media Management (Hootsuite, Buffer)
  • Video Editing (Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere)
  • Research Methodology
  • Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, Mandarin)
  • Project Management Tools (Trello, Asana)
  • Laboratory Skills (for science majors)
  • Technical Writing
  • Marketing (SEO, Content Strategy)
  • Accounting Software (QuickBooks)
  • Public Speaking

Soft skills:

  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
  • Problem-Solving
  • Adaptability
  • Leadership
  • Critical Thinking
  • Collaboration
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Multitasking
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Initiative
  • Organizational Skills
  • Creativity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Work Ethic

Conclusion

Whether you're fresh out of high school or returning after years away, your college resume should reflect your journey, values, and aspirations.

From showcasing leadership to highlighting skills in demand, each section should serve a purpose — helping you stand out in a competitive admissions pool.

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