FAQ #1: My high school counselor tells me that I don’t need to have an activities resume. Why do you suggest that I have one?

ANSWER: In over twenty years of working in the admissions arena, we have found nothing more helpful to the admissions process than an activities resume. Because of the uses noted above — 1) an organizing mechanism; 2) a starting place for finding a focus for your applications; 3) a source for coming up with essay topics; 4) a resource for people writing recommendations; 5) an addendum for applications; 6) an interview hand-out; and 7) an attachment for a thank-you note to a college contact - we strongly recommend that you put together a resume. No matter what other people say, part of approaching the application process in a way that is just a little different and better from the competition is having a compelling activities resume.

It is true that a few colleges and universities such as the UC system and Stanford University ask you NOT to submit a resume; but there are many schools that allow and encourage you to include one.

FAQ #2: Can I use the activities resume for things other than college admissions?

ANSWER: Absolutely. Many students use their activities resume as a part of a scholarship application. They also use it as a part of the application for special programs while they are still in high school (e.g., Girls’ and Boys’ State, various special summer academic programs such as that offered at the Brandeis Institute), as well as for jobs during the school year and summer.

Once in college, students continue to use their resumes - updated, of course - to their present circumstances. Many college students report going back to their old high school resume to develop a new one when they begin applying to graduate school.