College Resume Examples That Actually Work

Build a Résumé That Shows Off More Than Just Your GPA

🎓 Why a College Résumé Matters

Your résumé is your chance to highlight everything that doesn’t show up in your GPA or test score.

It can:

Strengthen your Common App by providing detail
Clarify your extracurriculars for admissions or interviewers
Help teachers write better letters of recommendation
Win scholarships that require a detailed activity list

Most high school résumés are either too short or way too cluttered. We help students build clean, impressive résumés that reflect who they really are.

✅ What to Include on Your College Résumé

Academic Achievements
GPA, class rank, AP/IB courses, honors
Leadership & Clubs
Officer roles, years involved, initiatives led
Volunteer Work
Organizations, hours, impact
Work Experience
Jobs, internships, side gigs, and family responsibilities
Special Projects
Personal websites, art, research, apps, competitions
Awards & Scholarships
Recognition at school, local, or national level

✏️ Tip: Focus on impact, not just participation. “Started a tutoring club and helped 30 peers” is better than “Tutoring Club Member.”

📄 Sample College Résumé Formats

🟢 Simple Academic Résumé
Perfect for students with strong coursework and honors
➡️ Focus: GPA, AP classes, academic awards, research

🔵 Leadership-Focused Résumé
Great for students active in student government, sports, or clubs
➡️ Focus: Positions held, achievements, mentorship

🟣 Creative Résumé with Portfolio Link
Ideal for art, film, CS, or writing students
➡️ Focus: Projects, showcases, with personal site linked

🟠 Scholarship Résumé Format
Used for local and national scholarship applications
➡️ Focus: Service, leadership, financial need, academic promise

🎯 We provide examples and templates during coaching sessions.

🛠️ How College Refocus Helps

✅ Personalized résumé review
✅ Google Docs templates that work across systems
✅ Support writing bullet points that highlight impact
✅ Help matching résumé with your Common App
✅ PDF-ready formatting for scholarship uploads

💬 What Students Say

“I thought my résumé was just a list of clubs, but Kevin helped me frame it around real accomplishments. My interviewers kept asking about things I included because they stood out.”
— Mauldin, SC