How I transformed my Common App resume to highlight my activities

Personal brandcommon appresumecollege applicationactivities

Are you having trouble figuring out how to showcase your activities on your Common App resume? I was, too! Initially, mine was just a mashup of everything I had ever done, and it felt overwhelming.

I found that organizing my resume into clear sections made all the difference. I split it into four areas: education, activities, awards, and projects. This way, it was way easier for me (and the admissions officers) to see what I was really proud of.

One big tip is to quantify your experiences. When I mentioned tutoring students, I didn’t just say ‘I tutored.’ I specified how many students and how many hours each week. This made it sound more impressive and gave a clearer picture of my commitment.

Also, keep in mind the importance of relevancy. Focus on the activities that showcase your leadership, creativity, or community involvement—things that align with your desired major or school values. Finally, I made sure to highlight any skills I picked up along the way!

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