Hi Guys,

Applying to a college is a lot like applying for a job, your goal is to prove to the prospective employer or school that you are the most qualified candidate for the position. The college admissions process has become very competitive, chances are many students are applying for only a few openings. Just to give you an idea of how competitive the college admissions process is, check out these acceptance rates from popular schools in the New Hampshire area:

Keene State College: 73%
Plymouth State University: 66%
Southern New Hampshire University: 65%
University of New Hampshire: 59%
Boston College: 27%
Harvard College: 9%
(statistics from CollegeBoard)

Your application, test scores, and grades will be very similar to other students. So, how do you get noticed? Writing a college resume is a way to differentiate yourself and stand out from other students. When developing your resume, you have the opportunity to highlight skills and achievements that may be understated in your application.

Building your college resume will require you to take a look back at your high school career. Starting from 9th grade, chronologically list your academic achievements and honors you have received. You should also include extra-curricular activities, community related activities, enrichment activities, work experience, and your references. The format of the resume is not as important as the content. Focus on what makes you unique and what you can bring to the college that other students cannot. Before you finalize, make sure you proof read carefully. Don’t rely on spell check. Spelling and grammatical errors are a good way to attract negative attention.

A well written resume will benefit you in more ways than you think. Your resume will help teachers and counselors write a stronger and more effective recommendation for you. In such a competitive environment, a college resume will also show admissions counselors your ambition and desire to attend their school. These qualities make your application stand out and increase your chances of acceptance.

Stand out from the crowd,
Tom