20 Best College Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
20 Best High School Resume Templates and Examples for College Applications for 2025
By Andrew Stoner
, Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner
Read More
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Last Updated:
December 1, 2025
Colleges receive thousands of applications each fall, and that number has risen steadily over the last decade. Admissions committees are busy sorting through all of the paperwork that goes along with the admission process, so make their job easier with a great high school resume. We’ll provide practical tips to craft a compelling resume that gets you one step closer to a college acceptance letter.
Key takeaways:
- Emphasize key strengths and interests: Begin your resume with a concise summary highlighting your top academic accomplishments, work experience, or extracurricular involvement.
- Quantify achievements: When discussing past accomplishments, use numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts to give admission boards a tangible example of your contributions.
- Include keywords for clarity: Some colleges may use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through candidates, and using relevant keywords in your resume can help it perform better.
For comprehensive instructions on building a standout document, check out our How to Make a Resume guide. This resource is perfect for developing college resume templates that help high school students create a compelling college resume.
Most Popular High School Student Resumes
Volunteer Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume highlights commitment to volunteerism and youth mentorship with a clear, focused structure. It effectively quantifies accomplishments and showcases leadership in various settings. Read how to list volunteer work experience on a resume.
Student Ambassador Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume uses real metrics like tour numbers and event coordination to show leadership in action. It highlights strengths in communication and responsibility. Want more examples of what to include? Read what to put on a resume.
Lifeguard Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume balances professionalism with clear skill focus. It includes certifications and a strong safety mindset. Learn how to showcase qualifications: How to list certifications on your resume.
Camp Counselor Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume showcases teamwork, leadership, and patience — all key traits for youth-facing jobs. The responsibilities are clearly outlined, with supporting context. Find more ideas on how to build a resume for teenagers.
Retail Associate Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This example balances part-time experience with student responsibilities, showing real-world reliability. Learn how to emphasize part-time roles: work experience on a resume.
Student Tutor Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume focuses on academic leadership and clear tutoring roles. It shows initiative and a desire to help others. Get more strategies for early career resumes: How to write your first job resume.
Dance Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume shows commitment to the arts and real leadership in performance and teaching. Read more about showcasing creative experience: Extracurricular activities for a resume.
Tennis Player Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
The resume reflects athletic commitment and leadership. It shows a balance between school and sports. Discover how to include athletic roles on your resume in personal statement examples.
Theatre Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume highlights both performance and technical theatre experience. It’s a strong blend of talent and teamwork. Explore how to frame artistic experience here: what is a good headline for a resume?
Internship-Ready Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume clearly communicates readiness for real-world work. It blends school roles with a hands-on internship. Discover more about landing your first opportunity: how to make a resume with no experience.
Music Student Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume shows discipline, technical skill, and leadership in a creative field. It’s focused and achievement-driven. See more on presenting musical experience: how to list your education on a resume.
Resume Workshop Participant Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume spotlights initiative and personal development outside of traditional jobs. See how to use workshops to build experience in how to build a resume for free.
Library Assistant Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume shows real-world experience aligned with career goals. It builds a foundation for library science or education careers. Explore how to list relevant roles effectively in resume job description.
Babysitter Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This resume reflects reliability and safety — core traits in child care. See how to shape early work experience in resume keywords.
Fast Food Worker Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
It shows fast-paced customer experience and reliability — both valued in service roles. Find more ways to present food industry roles in a server job description for a resume.
Summer Intern Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
This student demonstrates career focus early on with real exposure to IT. Learn how to present your tech experience well: computer skills for a resume.
High School Student for College Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
Strong academic depth and extracurricular leadership stand out. Here’s how a resume should look for a college student.
Personal Assistant Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
Shows trustworthiness and maturity in a solo-support role. See tips on structuring small jobs with resume formats.
Warehouse Assistant Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
It captures hard skills and entry-level logistics experience with clear impact. Read about including hands-on roles in hard skills for a resume.
Dog Walker Resume Example
Why this resume is a great example
It shows commitment, reliability, and care — key for personal services. Find out how to tailor gig work on a resume with job titles for a resume.
High School Student Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write a High School Resume for College Applications Example
Applying for college is a big task, especially if you’re interested in multiple schools. At a minimum, include the following sections in your college application resume:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
1. Share your contact information
Even if your resume is attached to your application, include your name and contact information at the top of the document. Your phone number, email, and address should be clearly stated so admission officers know whose resume they’re reading.
Example
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
2. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Think of your profile like a movie trailer. It shares just enough information to pique the reader’s interest without giving everything away. In two to three sentences, list your top academic and extracurricular achievements that show why you would be an excellent addition to their school.
Highlight facts demonstrating your leadership skills or passion for your field of study. Use action verbs to make your summary dynamic and descriptive. This will help admission boards quickly understand your strengths and how you might contribute to their campus community.
Professional Profile Example
Driven high school student with experience in customer-facing roles. Excels in high-volume, fast-paced environments. President of the drama club for the last two years with a keen interest in the arts and fundraising. Track record of teamwork and quality customer service.
Volunteer Profile Example
Motivated high school student with a strong volunteer background and passion for community service. Natural leader who mentors young athletes and works with local library staff to engage teens. Excels in project coordination, team leadership, and educational outreach.
For further inspiration on crafting an engaging introduction, explore our How to Write a Convincing Resume Profile guide. This resource can help you refine your resume template to clearly showcase your achievements as a high school student applying to college.
3. Add a results-driven professional experience section
Whether you’ve had a job or not, you have valuable experiences to call on. Showcase your responsibilities, but also include achievements. Were you recognized by management? Did you improve a process at work? Mention times when you excelled on the job, learned something new, or had a positive impact.
If you haven’t worked yet, list academic, volunteer, athletic, internship, or study abroad experiences instead. Describe any new skills gained or results you achieved, using numbers when you can. Show you’re on a path to success, ready to take on the challenges of college life.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Server, Regal Macarthur Center, Norfolk, VA
April 2023 – present
- Serve food and beverages to an average of 100 guests per shift in the theater’s VIP section
- Process payments and manage reservations through the theater’s point-of-sale (POS) system
- Achieved a department-wide 98% customer satisfaction rate based on service, delivery times, and facility cleanliness
- Ensure service stations, dining tables, and theater seating are clean and well-stocked
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Youth Sports League Volunteer, YMCA, San Antonio, TX
August 2023 – present
- Coach weekly sports events and practice sessions for youth sports teams throughout the year
- Lead quarterly soccer camps for 10 to 12-year-olds covering the basics to build skills and sportsmanship
- Work with fellow volunteers to ensure all activities start on schedule
- Helped raise over $2,000 at a charity event to fund new sports equipment and uniforms
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
When you can, use numbers to describe your academic achievements and personal accomplishments. Instead of simply saying you were “top of the class,” give evidence of this through your test scores, GPA, or an award title. Or, if you were the captain of a sports team, mention how many people were on the team. For example:
Do
- “Supervised a total of 15 children ages 2 to 10 each month for three years, ensuring their safety and well-being.”
Don’t
- “Took care of several children of different ages.”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application
Even if you are applying to only one of the nearly 6,000 U.S. postsecondary schools, tailor your college application resume accordingly. This shows your genuine interest in that specific school. Demonstrate you’ve done your homework and discovered what’s most important to that institution.
Highlight achievements, experiences, skills, and interests that align with the school you’re applying for. Admissions officers are more likely to notice and appreciate your resume if they can see you connected with their missions, values, and specialties.
What if you don’t have experience?
Your first few resumes are often the hardest to create, especially if you don’t have any work experience. Instead, focus on things like skills, volunteer work, babysitting, lawn mowing, or helping out a family business. These experiences still count and show you’ve taken on responsibility or gone out of your way to get involved with a community project.
Depending on your extracurricular activities and interests, you can add unique information that would make you stand out from other students. If it could be relevant to your college career, include info on things like personal projects, hobbies, passions, social media pages, contest wins, and more.
If you have work or volunteer experience — such as a part-time job — check out our How To Write Your First Job Resume guide. It offers tips to integrate these experiences into your college resume, making your application even stronger.
4. Add high school education and certifications
You’re sending in your transcripts with your application, so the school already has access to the coursework you’ve completed. Go a step beyond with your college resume by describing relevant academic achievements. Provide extra information on details such as high grades and GPAs, awards, standardized test scores, leadership roles, and your expected graduation date — anything that emphasizes your high school performance.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
- [GPA Score]
- [Additional Information]
Example:
High School Diploma
Cliff Park High School, Springfield, OH | Expected: June 2025
- GPA: 3.5
- AP English, AP History
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
First Aid and CPR/AED Certification, American Aquatics and Safety Training, 2021
5. Outline your most useful skills and proficiencies
Create a skills list that shows the college what you’re capable of. Include both technical and interpersonal abilities to display your learning style and how you collaborate with others. If you’re fluent in multiple languages, mention that as well. Do you have experience leading a team? List your leadership skills. Check out the examples below:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Empathetic communication | Laboratory techniques |
| Language proficiency | Leadership |
| Musical ability | Public speaking |
| Resilience | Time management |
| Video editing | Web development |
Resume writer’s tip: Use specific action verbs
Action verbs can help you communicate clearly and concisely. Instead of writing in complete sentences, start bullet points with an action verb. This language engages readers and allows them to better envision what you’ve accomplished. Here are action verbs you can use to liven up your college application resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Collaborated |
| Contributed | Implemented |
| Initiated | Innovated |
| Led | Managed |
| Organized | Volunteered |
How To Pick the Best High School Resume Template
The best template for a college application is well-organized, simple, and easy to read. It should clearly feature your most relevant academic accomplishments, work experience, and other extracurricular activities. Look for a college resume template with a clean design, free of graphics and overly vibrant colors. These decorative accents may look nice, but they can distract the reader.
Frequently Asked Questions: High School Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume for a college application?
If you're ready to join the 62% of high school graduates enrolling in colleges or universities, create a well-written resume that aligns with school requirements and expectations. This strategy is helpful no matter what you may be applying for - school, work, internships, or otherwise. You'll stand out more than other applicants who may be using generic templates.
Research the college's priorities, identifying keywords and phrases about skills or experiences they value. Then, select moments from your academic and professional history that match these priorities. For example, if the school emphasizes community involvement, be sure that your volunteer experiences are somewhere in your resume.
What is the best high school resume format?
Choosing the right format for your resume can make all the difference. While the chronological style may be the most popular, a combination format is often a better alternative for high school students. Instead of focusing on your professional history, emphasize your relevant skills and education first. Then list any volunteer, work, extracurricular, or leadership experience.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
It’s a challenge to include everything you’d like to on a one-page resume. So, once you’ve finished your resume, write a cover letter to go with it. This is your chance to dive deeper into why you’re excited about a job or attending a specific college. You can show some more personality here and bring context to the bullet points of your high school resume.
Check Out Related Examples
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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