Top 9 Admissions Resume - Ways to Build an Impressive Admissions Resume

Colleges aren't just looking for students with good grades and test scores. Especially at more competitive schools, to get accepted you'll need to show admissions officers that you've been productive and taken the initiative during high school. That's where an admissions resume comes in.

Elsewhere we've discussed some general tips for getting involved with activities. Here are some more specific ideas.

1. Sports

You don't have to be a future professional athlete to get involved in high school sports. In some instances, the junior varsity can be rewarding as well. In addition to keeping you in shape and allowing you to meet new people, involvement in sports shows colleges that you have discipline, initiative, and experience working with a team.

2. Student Government

While only one person can be school president, there are usually a number of slots for homeroom representatives, treasurers, etc. Sometimes, getting a spot on the student government is as simple as volunteering. And getting started early--while you're a freshman or a sophomore--gives you a better chance of moving into a more impressive role down the road.

3. School Clubs and Service Organizations

To join most clubs and groups, all you need to do is show up. So try a few--why not? You can learn something and meet people while you build your admissions resume.

Joining the Spanish club or math team won't get you into college, but doing so will show that you're involved. And joining is the first step towards doing something more impressive. Spanish club might lead to work with immigrants, which would look good. The math team might later compete for honors or awards.

4. Academic Honors

If you're very good at a subject, try to do more than just get good grades. Find out from your teachers if there are other ways to get involved. If you're great at physics, look for science fairs. If you're a writer, try submitting your essays or poems to competitions.

5. Community Service

There are always lots of community service opportunities out there to give you good experience and help boost your admissions resume. Some popular choices are Habitat for Humanity, working for a homeless shelter, and doing service projects at your church or religious institution. While any contribution you make is good, you'll get more mileage during application season if you can show you were substantially devoted to an activity--they'll actually ask how many hours per week you spent there!

6. Debate and Speech

At schools with forensics, debate, or speech teams, it's usually easy to find a specific area of focus (anything from policy debate to poetry reading) and quickly enter competitions.

7. Jobs

Having a job shows colleges that you have discipline and a work ethic. While any job is OK, you'll probably get more mileage for employment that seems related to an academic interest or career possibility. For example, if you hope to be a doctor someday, try to find a job or volunteer position in a hospital.

8. Music

Pursue your musical interests, even if it doesn't lead to any type of formal recognition. A passion for music is definitely something you can write about on your applications.

9. Hobbies

While you obviously won't get admissions "credit" for everything you do outside of school, activities that you're passionate about will frequently spill out into accomplishments or interests that you can somehow get onto your applications. If you like working with cars, that may lead to an interesting admissions essay or application blurb. Fixing computers may eventually lead to a job or other opportunity. Remember: anything is better than watching TV!