Building a well-rounded college application requires more than just strong academics — these days, admissions officers want to see how you use your time outside the classroom, too. That’s where the college resume comes in.
Whether you’re just staring out in high school or already knee-deep in junior year, this guide will help you identify which experiences to prioritize — and how to present them accordingly on your college resume.
A tale as old as time…
Like every other part of admissions, the competition to craft the best college application resume has become a veritable rat race, with students losing sleep (and gaining stress) trying to outdo one another. By sophomore or junior year, most high school students already know the various types of academic extracurricular activities that look good on these college resumes; some may even have started in middle school, or earlier, at their parents’ urging. If you have any room in your busy semester schedule, these activities are well-known opportunities for top students to go the “extra mile” and demonstrate mental acuity.
For instance:
- Quiz bowl competitions
- Science or math olympiad
- State science fairs
- Speech and debate tournaments
- Mock trial
- Model UN
Of course, these are all tried-and-true ways to expand your mind and keep learning on your own time. There’s a reason why these intellectually challenging activities rise to the top, year after year, even in 2025; participation does look good on college applications. But being a well-rounded student means demonstrating multiple sides of yourself, not just intelligence.
So how do you find the right balance? What else is there to showcase? If you’re wondering what else you can (or should) include on your college resume, you’re not alone.
We have some answers. Here are the major types of activities you should include this year on your quest to build a great college resume — and a stronger, more dimensional college application profile.
What is a college resume?
First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. Today, we’re talking about the college resume — the personal “curriculum vitae” list of your independent activities that you use when you apply to colleges for enrollment. When complete, this record should include all of your meaningful activities outside of the classroom walls, as well as any volunteering or work experience you’ve done.
Here’s another great way of explaining the importance of your student resume:
Keep in mind, your college resume will be slightly different from a traditional professional resume because most teens don’t have extensive career histories yet. Instead of employment history, then, most students focus on showcasing their extracurricular sports, school clubs, competitions, and other activities where they invest time outside of school hours.
Looking for a quick guide for formatting? Check out this handy graphic created by Empowerly to walk students through the nuts and bolts of the college resume writing process.
Why does this document matter so much?
Because colleges admit people, not transcripts. They want to see more than academics on a resume. Therefore, when it comes to creating a compelling application for college admissions, it’s important to showcase exceptional qualities across multiple areas of life. Doing so will give a fuller picture of your true potential. A strong application should convey a strong sense of who you are as a person, beyond the grade point average or test score.
If done well, you can use this college resume to apply to scholarships and internships, too.
Unfortunately, there’s no teacher to tell you how to navigate the personal discovery part. It requires patience, self-reflection, and challenging your comfort zone. And, a good college counselor (like Empowerly) can help. So, roll up your sleeves; let’s get started.
The types of activities you should include in your college resume
Ready to find and nurture your individual passions alongside traditional learning?
First, look around you, but don’t panic if you don’t see a club or team that interests you right away. Starting something from scratch shows colleges you can take initiative and solve real problems. Whether it’s starting a club, launching a passion project, or organizing an event for your community, these activities communicate drive and maturity.
Now, let’s find your cause.
The one that keeps you creative
Most people need a creative outlet of some kind. This is necessary to keep you sane, but it can also serve a dual purpose — boosting your resume and making your individual talents stand out. Several Empowerly students who enjoy creative writing have published their works and included the title of “published author” on their college applications. So don’t underestimate creative activities as a waste of time!
For instance:
- Drawing or painting
- Sculpting
- Calligraphy or typography
- Graphic design
- Playing music (instrumental or electronic)
- Creative writing
- Knitting or crocheting
- Sewing or mending clothes
How to put it on your resume:
- Enter your work for all-ages gallery shows
- Enter youth-focused art contests
- Submit for exhibition at the county fair
- Create a digital portfolio, public blog, or social media channel
- Set up an online shop
- Keep track of your online traffic and/or sales
When you write about your creative hobbies in descriptions on the college resume, use action verbs like “curated,” “published,” or “exhibited.” It gives your work more significance than a casual phrase like “did art.”
The one that gives you new hands-on skills
There are all kinds of emerging skills that aren’t taught in schools yet. From coding to digital marketing to using artificial intelligence, taking the initiative to acquire your own career-oriented skills can help you stand out to the admissions committees. Not to mention, self-started learning is a skill in and of itself that will serve you for your whole life.
For instance:
- Internships, apprenticeships, or jobs (professional skills)
- Tutoring or childcare (mentorship and teaching skills)
- Lab assistantships (academic research skills)
- Job shadowing or informational interviews (career discovery)
- Taking online courses (direct learning)
How to put it on your resume:
- Formalize experiences by taking notes on important names, dates, and lessons learned
- Keep track of any certificates, accolades, or other important details
- Keep track of hours spent (and skills gained) to provide quantifiable details
If you’re looking for ways to make your education more tangible, try free education platforms that offer self-paced curriculum. Some of these, like Coursera or Google Certificates, will give you a document upon completion.
The one that gives you positive feedback
Find your natural strengths and lean in. Depending on your unique skillset, this will look different for each student. You may choose to compete in local, regional, national, or even international levels.
So, what can you do that most others can’t?
Examples could include:
- Athletics (team or individual sports)
- Giving speeches or theater performances
- Cultural dance performances
- Publishing written works
- Academic competitions (spelling bees, quiz bowls, olympiads, fairs)
- Setting up a nonprofit or starting a business
How to put it on your resume:
- Awards and individual or team distinctions/recognition
- Making finals or semi-finals
- Reporting your ranking or seed in the region
- Keeping track of performances and publications
- Evidence of any national or international participation
When you do write about your accolades, just be sure to include adequate context. Admissions officers want to better understand the selectivity and scope of your accomplishments.
The one that keeps you grounded
This goes beyond a requisite number of volunteer hours or trying to pad your resume with community service. We’re talking about finding authentic volunteer work. The goal? To give back to your community and demonstrate your humility. Bonus points if the work aligns with your intended major in some capacity.
Examples include:
- Volunteering your time with an existing nonprofit
- Donating handmade items (or proceeds from handmade items) to a good cause
- Joining local activism efforts (trash-pickups, food banks, homeless shelters)
- Giving time to your social communities (church, extended family, local circles)
How to put it on your resume:
- Formalize experiences by taking notes on important names, dates, and tasks
- Keep track of hours spent to provide quantifiable details
- Most of all, note and quantify the impact of your efforts whenever possible (individuals helped, money raised, meals served, etc.)
Long-term opportunities, which you engage with repeatedly over time, are preferred over a mish-mash of short one-off projects. After all, college admissions officers value sustained involvement.
The one that gives you rest
While this category isn’t resume material, it’s vital for your mental health — and helps prevent burnout, which colleges are increasingly aware of in holistic reviews. Everyone needs to find the right mix of stop and go. Not to mention, mental wellness is a key factor in your overall academic performance, and admissions readers notice when a student has a sustainable, interesting life outside of school.
For instance:
- Walking or hiking locally
- Spending time with your pet(s)
- Listening to music
- Catching up on your favorite show
- Bonding with younger siblings or parents
How to put it on your resume:
- You don’t have to!
- Sometimes it’s okay to just rest and not commodify your activities.
- This makes you a happier person and a better student.
Level up your college resume now
The college application resume has never mattered more than now, in the era of holistic admissions. College admissions officers want to see your activities outside the classroom — and get a sneak peek into your world. Therefore, building your college resume should be as much about developing your personal qualities as anything else.
As you journey through high school, you might find it helpful to maintain a “brag sheet” of your activities and experiments. This document with all the raw data will make building your polished resume and filling out application forms a breeze in your senior year.
Building your college resume is about telling your story — and Empowerly counselors can help you craft the strongest version of it. There’s no need to leave it up to chance. Empowerly is here to support the whole student journey.
Ready to level up your college resume, but not sure where to find experience? Empowerly’s Startup Internship Program might be just the thing you need to get your career off the ground and start gaining experience to add to your resume. This student explains how it worked for her:
