| competing against hundreds of other applicants for | | | | or as a part of the employment listing. It’s best |
| limited seats in degree programs, it’s essential | | | | to check with the graduate school to see which is |
| that your resume quickly conveys what you can bring | | | | preferred. |
| to the program in terms of academic abilities, special | | | | 3. Length: It’s best to check with the targeted |
| talents, or real-world experiences. Below are general | | | | school to see if any length restrictions exist. |
| guidelines as to what admissions directors seek in | | | | Guidelines for resumes used in application to Law |
| application resumes. Be advised that it’s always | | | | Schools: |
| wise to first check with the targeted school for | | | | The specific requirements for most law schools are: |
| specific guidelines that will help in creating your new | | | | 1. List all academic and non-academic honors and |
| resume so that it gets noticed. | | | | awards received, including fellowships, prizes and |
| Should you use a Resume or a CV (Curriculum Vitae) | | | | memberships in honor societies; list and/or describe the |
| for Admission to Schools? | | | | basis for your selection. |
| Generally speaking, if you’re applying to college | | | | 2. List your extracurricular activities since entering |
| or a university for an undergraduate degree program, | | | | undergraduate school, the hours per week devoted to |
| or to a law/business/medical school, a resume should | | | | such activities, and the dates of the activities. |
| be employed. | | | | 3. List your positions of employment since high school |
| If you are applying for a medical fellowship and have | | | | (either full or part time), the number of hours per week |
| numerous publications, presentations, and abstract | | | | devoted to each position, and the dates of |
| submissions, the preferred format is the CV. CVs, | | | | employment. |
| unlike resumes, may be longer than two pages in | | | | Variables: |
| length, and often exceed ten pages when the | | | | 1. Length: Generally speaking, most law school resumes |
| candidate has numerous publications. | | | | are no more than one page in length. However, some |
| Guidelines for resumes used in application to Colleges | | | | law schools have their own length restrictions and/or |
| or Universities for Undergraduate Degrees: | | | | requirements. It’s best to check with the school |
| 1. Opening Summary: This should provide an | | | | to which you are applying to determine what is most |
| admissions director with a “snapshot” of | | | | appropriate. |
| you as a candidate, and your most relevant | | | | 2. Opening Summary (also known as Qualifications |
| accomplishment. The achievement may be academic | | | | Summary): These are optional. Some schools may |
| in nature (a perfect SAT score, selection as Class | | | | even require that they not be included. It’s best |
| Valedictorian), may involve a specific talent (awards | | | | to check with the school to which you are applying to |
| for art work or in drama competitions), or be focused | | | | determine if inclusion of an opening summary is |
| towards athletics (member of football team that won | | | | appropriate. |
| division championship). The idea is to show your skill | | | | Guidelines for resumes used in application to Business |
| and potential. | | | | Schools: |
| 2. Education: In addition to listing your high school, include | | | | Unlike other graduate school programs, Business |
| any relevant club memberships (National Honor | | | | Schools are seeking candidates that have real world |
| Society, Gold Key Club, Art Club for an aspiring artist | | | | experience. Therefore, in applying to this type of |
| – Language Clubs for an aspiring Linguist | | | | graduate program, the resume should resemble, as |
| Interpreter), honors (dean’s list, etc.), and | | | | closely as possible, one being sent to a hiring manager. |
| anything else that made your work in high school | | | | The components of a Business School resume include: |
| special. | | | | 1. A Qualifications Summary: This brief paragraph |
| 3. Volunteer Work: List first that volunteer work that | | | | should provide relevant and recent data that enhances |
| coincides with your future goals. For example, if your | | | | your candidacy. This would include an overview of |
| intent is to study sociology or psychology in college, | | | | your professional experience (i.e. “Internet |
| then detail volunteer work done at homeless/battered | | | | Entrepreneur with a successful background in founding |
| women shelters. | | | | and operating two websites specializing in.. .”), a |
| 4. Hobbies: List first those hobbies that coincide with | | | | recent/relevant accomplishment (i.e. “Increased |
| your future goals. (i.e. working with fabrics and sewing | | | | sales at Bank One by 40% within six months of hire |
| if you’re interested in becoming a Fashion or | | | | by implementing a unique bank card program targeted |
| Interior Designer). | | | | towards college students.”), and your goal in |
| 5. Length: No more than one page | | | | applying to Business School (i.e. “Currently |
| Guidelines for resumes used in application to Graduate | | | | seeking admission into the MBA program to enhance |
| Schools: | | | | business skills for a future as a venture |
| Many schools will have their own requirements. | | | | capitalist.”) |
| It’s best to follow those directives in | | | | 2. Career Accomplishments: When competing against |
| constructing your resume. | | | | countless other candidates with similar backgrounds, |
| However, some general components are: | | | | the only thing that sets you apart is what you |
| 1. Education: List only the Bachelor’s Degree, not | | | | achieved during your professional career. These |
| any Associates Degrees leading up to it. Include | | | | accomplishments should be showcased in a separate |
| coursework that is relevant to the graduate program | | | | section, directly beneath the Qualifications Summary. |
| (i.e. Banking coursework for Finance programs), and | | | | They should be quantified with dollar figures, |
| any academic honors such as scholarships, | | | | percentages, and time frames, if possible (i.e. |
| dean’s lists, honor societies. | | | | “Reduced costs 35%, representing $4000 |
| 2. Professional Experience: Your employment and | | | | monthly, by outsourcing all publishing work.”) |
| relevant daily duties presented in a reverse | | | | 3. Professional Experience: Your employment and |
| chronological order – that is, your most recent | | | | relevant daily duties, presented in a |
| employment first, followed by the next most recent, | | | | reverse-chronological order – that is, your most |
| and so on. If the school requires it, include full dates of | | | | recent employment first, followed by the next most |
| employment – that is, both months and years. If | | | | recent, and so on. Accomplishments that have been |
| no such requirement exists, then only provide years of | | | | previously provided should not be repeated here. |
| employment (i.e. 2001-2004). | | | | 4. Education: List only the Bachelor’s degree, |
| 3. Volunteer Work & Hobbies/Interests | | | | not any Associates Degrees leading up to it. Include |
| Variables: | | | | any academic honors such as scholarships, |
| 1. A Qualifications Summary: These are optional. Some | | | | dean’s lists, honor societies. |
| schools may even require that they not be included. | | | | 5. Length: Business school resumes generally can be |
| It’s best to check with the school to which you | | | | two pages in length as long as only relevant data, as it |
| are applying to determine if inclusion of an opening | | | | pertains to the application, is included. |
| summary is appropriate. | | | | Follow these guidelines for resume admission success. |
| 2. Career Accomplishments: Professional | | | | They have proven effective for thousands of |
| achievements can be showcased in their own section, | | | | prospective students and can work for you as well. |