Last Minute Summer 2022 Opportunities in Washington DC for High School Students

It’s the first full week of summer for most high school students, and we know some teenagers are asking themselves: what am I going to do this summer? If you’re still trying to make plans, we’re here to help! We’ve curated a list of last-minute jobs and internship postings in the DC region; universities still accepting students for pre-college programs; and exciting overseas travel opportunities.

Jobs and Internships

Get your feet wet in the maritime industry (Manassas, VA)

Are you interested in naval engineering or architecture? If so, this might be the internship for you! Hepburn and Sons is a small, veteran-owned business that provides consulting services for ships. They are currently looking for a high school intern to work on-site during the summer months. In addition to office tasks, you’ll get the chance to review documents, conduct research and put together presentations. Click here to view eligibility requirements and apply.

Become a Kid Kare attendant at George Mason University (Prince William, VA)

Spend your summer playing sports and leading arts and crafts! George Mason University Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Science and Technology campus is hiring part-time Kid Care attendants for the summer. Flexible scheduling is possible, but applicants should be available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. This is a great opportunity for students considering a career in education.

Teach kids to swim at Goldfish Swim School (Reston, VA)

If you’re a strong swimmer who’s always wanted to coach, why not become a swim instructor for the summer? At Goldfish Swim School, you’ll help elementary and middle school students gain their confidence in the water while having fun. Plus you’ll have the chance to earn your lifeguard certification. 
Note: there are multiple Goldfish Swim School locations throughout northern Virginia. Click here to see job openings in Alexandria and Falls Church.

Care for pets at a local animal hospital (Fairfax Station, VA)

This is an exciting part-time job for animal lovers and those who are thinking about a future in veterinary science. Crosspointe Animal Hospital is looking for a kennel assistant (age 16+) who can walk dogs, monitor patients, assistant with cleaning duties, and more. There are flexible morning and evening shifts available, but you must be able to work weekends and holidays, too! A job description and application link is available here.

Join a political campaign (Bethesda, MD/ remote)

Have you ever dreamt of a future in politics? Are you interested in learning more about the election process? If so, apply to become a political campaign intern this summer! Hans Riemer for County Executive (Montgomery County, MD) is looking for dedicated teens to join the campaign trail- virtually and in-person. Interns will work in one of five departments: Social Media & Communications, Organizing, Research & Policy, Finance & Political, or Direct Voter Contact and will learn fundamental skills from experts in the field.   No experience is necessary, but you must be willing to work at least ten hours per week.

Note: this position was just posted yesterday and is only accepting applications until Friday June 17. Apply now!

Are you interested in taking academic enrichment classes this summer?

Many colleges and universities across the United States offer summer pre-college courses for high school students. Although many deadlines have passed, there are still some great programs accepting applications for virtual and in-person classes.

American University High School Summer Scholars

George Washington University

Kode with Klossy @ Barnard College

Marist College

Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Have you caught the travel bug?

We’re all eager to travel again, so if you’re thinking about planning a last minute trip this summer, why not turn it into a cool academic experience? There are plenty of overseas options for teens, whether you’re interested in language immersion, cultural enrichment, the arts, sports training, etc. 

Smithsonian Student Travel - Various summer trips are offered for high school students in Alaska, Central and South America, and Europe.

 The TASIS Summer Programs- Residential programs are available in England, Switzerland, and Switzerland for students of ALL ages.

Summer at Oxford  (England)-  This program is geared toward high school students preparing for university who want to spend the summer studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. 

Summer in Switzerland- Residential programs are available in the Swiss Alps for students of all ages. There is a variety of academic, sports, and artistic offerings. 

Putney Student Travel- These worldwide programs allow students to focus on a particular career path, language immersion, or service-oriented opportunity. 

We can help!

If you need assistance with last minute summer applications, resumes, or cover letters, book an appointment with an essay coaching professional at DC College Counseling.

How Juniors Can Make Senior Year Easier- Starting Now!

There are just a few weeks left in the school year, and that means juniors can start to breathe sighs of relief. AP exams are winding down, and end-of-year festivities are kicking off. But before you get swept up in prom and summer break, we’ve got a few more assignments for you.

Fall semester can be extremely hectic for twelfth graders. However, there are things you can do now (and over the summer) to help make senior year easier and the college admissions process much more organized and efficient.

Secure your teacher recommendations

Many college applications require two or three teacher recommendations. For teachers, this can be a nightmare in the fall when they are inundated with dozens of requests… and you don’t want that nightmare to be reflected in the quality of your letter! Help your teachers – and yourself – by asking for recommendations now. This way they’ll have plenty of time to write you a quality letter, and you will have one less worry in the fall. 

When you’re ready to ask, make sure to speak to your teachers in person. A good way to make sure you don’t end up with a so-so letter is to use the following language: ”Do you think you know me well enough to write me a very supportive letter of recommendation?” In other words, you’re telling them that it needs to be a great letter, and you’re providing an easy out if they can’t make that happen.

We highly suggest providing them with a ‘highlight reel’ of your personal strengths, achievements, and academic interests relating to your performance in their class. If you’re not sure who to ask or what to include in your highlight reel, take a look at our previous blog post where we discuss the best ways to secure a strong recommendation letter.

Confirm your fall schedule

We can’t say it enough: avoid the senioritis schedule! Colleges want to see that you’re pursuing a rigorous curriculum, so it’s important to continue challenging yourself rather than opting for that extra study hall or the “easy” elective.

Now is the time to organize your course load and address any scheduling conflicts. We especially encourage you to talk with your teachers or counselors if you’re considering an honors section or an AP class. Depending upon the school and their policies, you may have to take some extra steps to enroll in an advanced course, whether it’s submitting a petition or taking a placement test. 

If your ideal fall schedule isn’t turning into a reality, don’t get discouraged. Consult with your parents and advisors to brainstorm alternatives. For example, if you’ve already taken the most advanced foreign language class at your school, you might want to look into a dual enrollment program in your area. If there’s no marketing elective offered, consider an online course. There are a growing number of options, both virtually and at local colleges. To take advantage of these options, though, you’ll need to plan now.

Finalize your college list

If you haven’t started already, get to work on your college list. Do some research to get a better sense of what you’re looking for in a school, from size to location to academic offerings. With literally thousands of colleges and universities to choose from, you’ll need to identify what’s most important to you. The College Board offers a comprehensive search tool, and for data lovers out there, College Data provides plenty of school statistics. 

To stay organized, we recommend keeping track of your research with a spreadsheet. Not sure how to make one? We love this free template that you can easily download and customize to fit your needs.

Prepare application materials

College applications require you to submit many different materials: test scores, transcripts, teacher recommendations, essays, and more. You won’t be able to complete some pieces until the fall, but right now you can begin to prepare several materials.

• Make a list of the activities you’ve participated in throughout high school: sports, clubs, volunteer opportunities, jobs, internships, etc. You can even input them directly into the Common Application and roll them over to the new 2022-2023 Common Application in August!

• Work on your resume, which should include any work experience, extracurricular involvements, and awards/achievements.

• The Common Application released their essay prompts several months ago. Take a look at your options, so you can start brainstorming, drafting, or even finishing your essay over the summer. Since we like to start early, some of the juniors we work with are already done with it!

Visit schools, even through your computer screen

Although campus tours always feel a bit different during the summer months when undergrads aren’t filling up the quads and walkways, these visits can still help you with your college list. If possible, sign up for some campus tours. It’s always good to see the school in person, get a feel for the environment, and check out the surrounding community. Take a look at our expert tips on how to prepare for and get the most of your tour here.

If you can’t travel, don’t worry! You can still use this time to take virtual tours, sign up for Zoom information sessions, and/or attend a local college fair. Colleges like to see demonstrated interest, so take advantage of these convenient ways to formally show your engagement with a school.

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Does your junior need help with the college application process? If so, book a no-obligation meet and greet with us today to learn more about our services.

Thinking about applying for a high school internship? Don't make these mistakes!

It can be TOUGH to find high school internships in the DC area (or anywhere else for that matter), so it’s no surprise that our Summer 2021 Internship Database has become so popular! We curate a list like this each year and offer access to the greater community as well as our own clients.

That being said, I didn’t know quite how popular it was with the general public until I sat down for lunch a month or so ago with Brittany Kirk, the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Sunlight Retreats and the for-profit social enterprise Sunlight U. As one of our community partners, Brittany graciously allowed us to include an internship opportunity at her organization as part of our database, and I knew that several of our students pursued this position!

Brittany Catton Kirk - Social Entrepreneur Extraordinaire!

What I did NOT know before chatting with Brittany that day was that a ton of other blog readers with no DC College Counseling affiliation also pursued the internship listing after reading about it on our site. So many, in fact, that we actually had to remove the posting because Sunlight was getting absolutely flooded with applications! I was thrilled to learn that so many students in the greater community are finding our database useful, and decided to share some tips from Brittany that I thought might be helpful for students applying to internships on their own without our assistance.

Project a Professional Image

There are definitely some generational differences that don’t have a clear “right answer,” like the side part and skinny jeans debate of late. Even though I personally feel that middle parts and boyfriend jeans are never a good choice for anyone, I can admit that there’s no real long-term harm in dressing like you stepped out of a Friends episode from 1995.

That said, there are certain societal norms that do NOT change with each generation. For example, it is never, ever acceptable for anyone, of any age, to use emojis in a cover letter. God, no. Along the same lines, remember that you are applying for a professional role, not emailing your best friend. Don’t sign the email with “Love, ___” under any circumstances whatsoever! Swap that out for “Best regards” or “Sincerely.” I was quite alarmed that some of the Sunlight internship applicants actually made both of these mistakes!

Remember Who’s in Charge

Yes, you may have lots of great options on the pipeline for the summer, but there’s a fine line between self-advocacy and self-centeredness. A cover letter or job/internship application is NOT the time to play hard to get. Instead, it’s the time for you to sell yourself to the person doing the hiring. Brittany advised the following:

• Come up with a genuine explanation for why you are interested in the role and carefully express that. Yes, you want to bulk up your college apps too, and you also need experience, but those are not the kinds of details you share with a potential employer!

• Since you’re the one asking the employer to hire you, you need to sell yourself. Include something about the value add that you would bring to the organization. Why YOU over the other 100 high school kids who applied?

• Do not ask the person to do something for you, i.e. respond to your email with detailed information about a certain aspect of the internship. While this may be a question that a student could ask with the best of intentions, it takes a lot of time to respond to emails like that and creates more work for the employer. Save it for the interview, if you get that far!

Follow Directions

I was shocked to learn that many students seemed to have difficulty following basic directions... and then I thought about it more and recognized that the idea of teenagers not paying attention to directions is not really all that surprising after all, is it? :)

Trust me on this, employers do not want to hire someone who doesn’t follow directions. Many of them actually require applicants to take extra steps or do seemingly strange things just to see if the person is ABLE to do so! Personally, I ask job applicants to use a very specific, slightly complex subject line just to see if they can get it right. If they can’t, no matter how much I like them otherwise, I do not move forward in the hiring process.

Brittany noted that her posting asked applicants to submit a resume, but some did not. Others received a message asking them to fill out a form with follow-up information, but they never did! She suggested, “Make it very simple for the person to review what you sent and get back to you.”

Last words of wisdom

We know that some of this is not intuitive, and I truly hope that it ends up to be helpful for those of you who are reading the listings and applying on your own. And for those who decide they WOULD benefit from some extra help, we’ve got you covered!

DC COLLEGE COUNSELING CLIENTS CAN SCHEDULE:

• Virtual interview preparation sessions here

• Virtual resume, cover letter, and internship application assistance here

NON-CLIENTS CAN SCHEDULE:

• Virtual interview preparation sessions here

• Virtual resume, cover letter, and internship application assistance here

Good luck! Our entire team is rooting for your success :)

Should I Apply To Graduate School?

While most of our blog readers are interested in assistance with undergraduate admissions to a four-year college, we also work with younger students applying to private high schools and older students/young professionals who are interested in a graduate degree.

In a typical application cycle we will generally work with four types of graduate school applicants:

• Those seeking a more traditional path to a professional degree, such as an MBA or JD (we do not work with MD applicants).

• Those seeking a specialized master’s degree program for an early-career jumpstart in the business world - some popular options include UVa (McIntire)'s MS Commerce, Vanderbilt (Owen)’s MS Finance, and Georgetown (McDonough)'s MS Management.

• Those seeking a specialized professional master’s degree for an early-ish career jumpstart or boost in a non-business industry - for example, MPH programs, MEM programs, or MPA programs.

• Those seeking an academic master’s or doctoral degree in a liberal arts field.

Not surprisingly, interest in our graduate school admissions consulting has risen substantially this year given the economy and increased competition, but sometimes the hardest decision is whether to pursue the degree now or wait a few years. It’s not like applying to college, where an undergraduate education is the obvious next step for a high school student.

Keep reading to learn more about whether graduate school is the right choice - and if you decide that you might need more targeted guidance, book a Graduate School Strategy Session!

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1. Why now?

As previously mentioned, applications to graduate and professional schools are on the rise this cycle. This is often the case during an economic downturn, when students and professionals turn to continued education to combat layoffs or pivot to a new career. There will also be more deferrals in next cycle’s class, as some students chose not to pursue remote learning this fall. 

The big caveat here is that just because there are more graduate school applications, that doesn’t mean that they are better. Applicants who are just looking for a place to wait out the pandemic will have rushed applications that don’t clearly articulate why they want to attend graduate school. 

So, think about why you are applying to graduate school now. Is this a dream of yours, and a good time in your career to make a change? Have you thought through your reasons clearly, and worked with a consultant or trusted mentor to articulate your ambitions? Great! Your application is going to stand out. Are you applying to graduate school simply because you don’t know what else to do? Skip this cycle, and focus on defining your goals. 

This matrix helps to condense some of our advice about applying to graduate or professional schools this cycle. As you can see, a lot depends on your industry and the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Where am I heading?

If you weren’t scared off by #1, you probably have some idea of why you want a graduate degree. Having clear goals, whether for a business proposal or an academic manuscript, is essential to forming a successful graduate school application. Don’t lose sight of your goals, but do think critically about how you can best serve them. 

If you are on a career path that excites you, and you still have room for upward mobility during COVID, you may choose to stay at a well-paying job and gain experience that will strengthen your application in the future. This is particularly true for younger applicants, who need more time to develop career experience. If the pandemic limits your upward mobility or your ability to pivot to a new career, graduate school may be your best option for progressing toward your goals. 

If you’ve decided that applying is the right path for you, keep reading, and keep those goals in mind!

3. Articulate your story.

For most postgraduate degrees (with the exception of many law schools), you will be asked to write a statement of purpose that discusses your experience and future plans. You should use this opportunity to tell a cohesive story about yourself. Make sure that you demonstrate how your previous experience in school, extracurricular activities, and any work experience you have align with your future goals, and include specific information from your research about how the program you are choosing will help you achieve those goals. 

At this point in your academic and professional career, schools do not want to hear about how you will be able to explore a lot of different topics. They want to know that you are focused on your next steps, and you’ve thought about exactly how their school will help you get there.

4. Polish your resume.

At this point in your career, you probably have a resume that you’ve used before, either for college applications or for the job or internship search. But that resume is likely not going to help you apply to graduate school. Specific programs are going to want to see very different things - a business school resume should look very different from the resume for a Ph.D. program. We help our clients tailor their resumes directly to their programs, but even on your own, make sure you highlight the skills and experience that will be most relevant to your desired program. Also, familiarize yourself with the conventions of resumes in your field. Are they usually a page, or can they be longer? How are they ordered? What type of aesthetic is most common? 

5. Find your best fit (but keep rankings in mind!)

There are plenty of issues with U.S. News rankings for undergraduate institutions, and my general advice is to explore a college based on best fit, not based on rankings. This is true for graduate schools as well - but only to a point. You absolutely should not attend a school that will make you miserable just for a higher ranking. But particularly for graduate and professional schools, rankings can mean a lot. 

BUT - another caveat! - it’s important to pay attention to the fact that exceptional programs in individual fields of study can outweigh an institution’s overall ranking. For example, UT Austin and Duke are (just) outside of the top-ten ranked MBA programs. But if you’re interested in oil and gas, UT Austin might be the best possible choice - far better than even the #1 ranked program. Same would go for Duke if you have an interest in energy or the environment. Do your research to see which schools are most highly regarded in your area of interest, so you can apply to the best possible programs for you.

All this to say, don’t settle for a school that isn’t the right fit. You can always reapply with more work experience, or with help from us! 

There are a TON of variables when it comes to a graduate school application, but that is part of why we enjoy the process. And from a selfish perspective - it is so much fun to reconnect with former students. Last night I got to meet with one of my all-time favorite “kids” (he is definitely not a kid anymore) who I hadn’t seen since probably 2014 or 2015 - it all blends together. So rewarding!!

Have topics or questions that you’d like to see us address in a future blog post? Comment and let us know! 

Summer Internship and Job Application Prep

We’ve gotten SO much positive feedback from our new internship database - keep watching for more listings each week, because we have a whole bunch of great ones on the pipeline! So far, you can see our January 14 listings here and our January 7 listings here.

Several families have asked whether resume and interview preparation for the college application process can also carry over to the internship and job application process. Is it basically the same?

Great question, and the answer is “yes and no.” Here’s a breakdown for you:

Creating a Resume

College Admissions

The resume must be one page long at the absolute max and should have a clean format that is easy to read (and easy to skim!). It should provide a general overview of the student’s greatest accomplishments and other need-to-know information, grouped into sections with headings. All of our clients have a sample template in their Google Drive folders, and non-clients can purchase a low-cost editable instant download of the same template here.

Job/Internship

The format should be very similar to the admissions resume in that it should not exceed one page and should be easy to read and skim. It should also be grouped into sections and headings. However, it should not be general in nature - it should be tailored to the position as much as possible and should highlight experiences that coincide with the job duties.

BRINGING a Resume

College Admissions

It’s not absolutely necessary for students to bring a resume to a college interview if they don’t have one prepared already. Most of the interviewers will not read the resume; however, if students have one prepared or are willing to put some time into creating one, they should go ahead and take it with them. It will only help project a positive impression!

Job/Internship

Students must always, always, always bring a resume with them to a job interview--even if they have emailed it to the employer ahead of time! No way around this. They should bring several copies in a portfolio or folder to ensure that they do not become dirty or crumpled en route to the interview.

Interview Preparation

College Admissions

As many of our students know, interview preparation for a college admissions interview is essential! A few of the tasks we cover in our interview prep sessions include developing answers to common interview questions, writing questions to ask the interviewer that show research and interest, perfecting a handshake, and practicing eye contact. We also advise several practice rounds with one of our staff members or a parent; this will help students learn to answer questions on the spot while maintaining a professional approach (it will also help to eliminate fillers like “um” and “like”).

Job/Internship

Just like college interviews, job interviews require preparation. Many of the skills from college interview work will help with job and internship interviews, such as sustained eye contact, a strong handshake, and a professional approach. It’s also critical to practice answers to common questions and arrive to the interview with questions that show research and interest; however, the nature of all of these questions will be completely different.

Interview Attire

College Admissions

College interviews usually require business casual attire. This can mean a nice dress or pants with a blazer or sweater for girls, or nice pants with a button-down shirt for boys. No leggings, athletic wear, or jeans! Girls should pay attention to their shoes to make sure that they are able to walk comfortably and that they are not wearing a heel that is too high. All clothes should be clean and pressed, and fit well. Nothing too tight or too baggy, and certainly nothing that could be considered even remotely objectionable. Boys should make sure to have had a haircut recently and girls should have their hair styled away from their face in a polished way. No heavy makeup, perfume, or cologne. When in doubt, students should ask themselves it their outfit would be appropriate to attend a religious service at a grandparent’s retirement home. If the answer is yes, that’s a good sign!

Job/Internship

Job and internship interviews are a little trickier because it very much depends on the job. It would be strange to walk into Starbucks in a suit for an interview, but it would also be inappropriate to walk into a corporate internship full of men and women in suits while wearing a pair of khakis. Regardless, however, it’s always best to look your best for a first impression. We recommend trying to get a sense of the typical office attire of the workplace and going for one or two notches above that, if it’s more of a casual setting. All grooming-related tips from the college interview still apply.

Interview Scheduling and Timing

College Admissions

Students should plan interviews far ahead of time--this ensures appropriate preparation and it also shows interest in the school! Plus, some schools’ interview slots that fill up relatively quickly - like William & Mary’s summer interview schedule. On the day of the interview, it’s best to arrive no earlier than 15-20 minutes in advance and no later than 5 minutes in advance.

Job/Internship

Timeliness is equally important for job and internship interviews. Unlike college interviews, however, students don’t just “sign up” and interviews aren’t extended to all applicants. It actually plays out in the opposite manner! Instead, students first need to submit an application if one exists (typically this is the case for internships) and/or submit a resume and cover letter. Students should be sure to read the specific instructions in the listing, which may be very different from position to position.

Whether it is a job or an internship, interviews are typically only granted after the organization has reviewed the student’s materials and decided that the student meets the position’s initial qualifications. If the organization is interested in interviewing a student, a representative will typically invite the student to come in and may suggest a set of times. On the day of the interview, follow the same advice regarding timing - no more than 15-20 minutes in advance and no later than 5 minutes in advance.

Interview Questions

College Admissions

Admissions officers or alums will certainly ask students questions about their academic history and plans for the future, extracurricular activities (volunteer, arts, sports, etc.), and their interest in attending that particular school. Some interviewers may ask students to describe themselves or how others would describe them. They’re trying to get an overall sense of the student’s work ethic, their dedication to things outside of school, and their overall personality - as well as their likelihood of attending the school if admitted. A lot of that will come out through the rapport the student has with the interviewer, but it’s extremely helpful to prepare for questions so that students have answers in mind for every possible question!  Anyone needing more help with this can pick up our College Interview Guide. Current clients can download this from our shared documents site (see your passwords document for login access).

Job/Internship

Job and internship interview questions are typically not as focused on extracurriculars and academics, although this can vary depending on the position. Instead, most questions typically revolve around student experience with the duties that the position entails. One of our coaches, Megan, was recently sharing a story with a student about how she had unsuccessfully applied for a job at Anthropologie while she was in high school. She had a great academic history and plenty of experience in childcare, but nothing in retail.

In retrospect, she explained, she should have pulled from what she had and tried to connect the skills that made her successful in school and babysitting to skills that would make her a great employee at Anthropologie. This would have been much more effective than talking about how she was a great babysitter. Even students starting from a place with no work experience can try to connect what they have learned from academic and extracurricular experiences to the day-to-day duties of the position at hand.

Lastly, just like preparing for the “Why this school?” college interview question, students need to have well-researched and thought-out answers regarding why the particular job and internship is appealing to them.

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As you can see, there’s a lot of overlap between the college application process and the job/internship application process, but not enough to bypass dedicated preparation for the latter. Remember that parents can often provide great support in helping to segue from interviews and resumes geared towards the college admissions process to those geared towards jobs and internships.

If you’d rather come in to work with a team member, we have options available for both current clients and those who are not working with us on an ongoing basis but just need a little help in this area.

Reader Questions: Resumes

Today, we are continuing our “Reader Questions” series! Have a burning question about school, college, or graduate admissions, or even high school in general? Please shoot us an email and we will make sure to address it in a future post!

Q: When [my son] applied to college, you helped him create a resume. Now it’s my daughter’s turn, and I have heard from some people that resumes are no longer required but others say that we still need to send one. Can you clarify? If she does need to do it, what kind of resume do we send?

A: Students used to be able to include their resume as part of the main Common Application, in the writing section. This option was removed and students were not able to submit them at all for a few years. Some resorted to mailing it into the admissions offices as a work-around. This was not helpful and flooded the admissions offices with extra documents that were not anticipated. Because of this, the Common App changed its policy again to allow colleges to choose whether or not they would like to receive resumes in the college-specific supplement. We recommend that our students keep a resume on file for use in these supplements, summer program applications, scholarship applications or even as a template for their first internship resume in college. At some point, this will be used, and it’s better to have it ready than to scramble down the line.

Perhaps you’re applying for a scholarship and a resume is required, or maybe your colleges of choice allow you to attach yours as an additional document in the supplement section. Regardless of the motivation, it is evident that presenting a well-written resume gives the admissions office - or a future employer - a few more reasons to place your application in the “Yes” pile.

Besides the obvious (proofreading!), let’s outline a few key strategies to use while crafting a strong resume:

1.  KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS

Before you start typing, jot down your greatest accomplishments on a piece of paper. Categorize those achievements under “Education,” “Leadership,” “Professional Experience,” “Extracurricular Activities,” “Skills” and “Honors or Awards.” You may not use every section within your resume, but this is a good place to start.

2.  SHOW, DON’T TELL

Transfer the information you wrote down above into your computer. Under each heading, describe how you actively engaged in the organization, made improvements, sought out challenges, exceeded expectations, etc. Do this using action verbs and quantifiable phrases, such as “under my leadership the club surpassed all years previous in donations, raising $15,000 for our annual giving campaign.”

3.  KEEP IT SIMPLE

Once you’ve populated your resume with the most pertinent information, it’s time to go back and format. At DC College Counseling, we advise our students to keep their resumes to one page, using a legible font without additional frills. The point of this resume isn’t necessarily to show your creative capabilities, but to display everything you bring to the table.

4.  FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

Yes - you now have an amazing resume and it’s natural that you want to share it with everyone! However, it’s important to follow directions. If a college wants your resume, they will offer you the upload option in their supplement or will request it another specific way. Do not mail the resume in as a work-around when a college does not ask for it or offer the option to upload it. It will appear that you are not following directions and do not respect the process.

To receive a full step-by-step resume template, or to schedule a coaching appointment with one of our resume experts, please book a session here.