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How to Write a Graduate School Resume | Template & Example

Published on February 7, 2020 by Shona McCombes . Revised on June 1, 2023.

When you apply for graduate school , you’ll usually be asked to submit a resume or CV along with your application. A graduate school resume should give a focused, concise overview of relevant experiences and achievements.

The exact sections you include depend on your experiences and on the focus of the program you’re applying to. Ensure your resume gives full details of:

• Your college education
• Relevant work experience
• Relevant voluntary and extracurricular experience
• Any awards, honors, publications, or other relevant achievements
• Any relevant skills, certifications, and memberships

The main difference from a regular resume is that you’ll put more emphasis on your education and academic interests to show that you’re a good candidate for graduate school.

Download the Word templates and adjust them to your own purposes.

Resume template 1 Resume Template 2

Table of contents

Step 1: plan the structure and layout, step 2: create a heading with your personal information, step 2: detail your education, step 3: outline your work experience, step 4: highlight other relevant skills and achievements, step 5: proofread and save as a pdf, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about graduate school resumes.

Before you start writing, you need to decide how you’ll organize the information. Which sections you include, and in which order, depends on your experience and the program you are applying to.

If you’re applying for a research-focused program in the sciences, social sciences or humanities, emphasize your academic skills and achievements. Awards, publications, grants, fellowships, and teaching experience should take center stage. If you don’t have many academic achievements yet, you can focus on your courses, grades, and research interests.

If you’re applying to a professionally-focused program, you’ll probably want to emphasize your work experience and practical skills. Internships, jobs, and voluntary work should all be included.

Keep the layout clean and simple. Make sure all headings are the same size and font, and use text boxes or dividing lines to separate the sections.

Example of a resume outline

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At the very top of your resume, you need to include:

• Your name (usually in a larger font size)
• Your address
• Your email address
• Your phone number

You can also include a sentence summarizing your background and stating your objective.

• Don’t write “resume” in the heading – just your name is fine.
• Do include links to relevant professional or academic profiles, such as LinkedIn, Academia.edu, or ResearchGate.

A graduate school resume should always start with your educational history. For each program you’ve completed (or are soon to complete), always list:

• The degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts in English Literature)
• The college and location
• The month and year of graduation

If you’re applying for a research-focused program, you can also give the title of your thesis and go into slightly more detail about your studies – for example, by listing 2–3 advanced courses that demonstrate relevant academic skills.

• Don’t include your high school education.
• Do include other applicable information such as your minor(s), study abroad programs, and other relevant educational experiences.
• Awards and honors

If you’ve received any awards, honors, scholarships, or grants, make sure to include these too. If you have several such academic achievements, it’s worth including a separate section on your resume to make sure they stand out.

Next, your resume should give an overview of your professional and voluntary experience. If you have varied experience, you might want to split it up into separate sections:

In a resume for an academic program, you could include headings for teaching experience and research experience.

A professionally-focused resume could be divided into sections for employment, internships, and voluntary work, or headings for managerial and administrative roles.

Each section should be organized in reverse chronological order. For each role, list:

• Your job title
• The dates of employment
• The organization’s name and location
• A bullet-point list of your main responsibilities

Be concise and specific when describing your work.

• Don’t attempt to list everything you did in every job.
• Do pick out some key achievements that show what you learned and how you succeeded.

For example, instead of:

• Made lesson plans
• Taught students
• Graded papers
• Attended departmental meetings

You could write:

• Designed lessons in academic writing skills
• Taught classes of 20–30 undergraduate students
• Graded practical assignments and coordinated peer feedback sessions
• Contributed to the evaluation and redevelopment of the curriculum

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The other sections of your resume depend on what you want to emphasize. You can include some of the section headings listed below, or combine them into larger sections.

Publications and presentations

Publishing in academic journals or presenting at conferences is a big selling point on a graduate school resume. List any publications (including co-author credits) or papers you have presented.

You can also include pending publications – that is, articles that have been accepted by a journal but not yet published. Make sure to note what stage the publication is at (e.g. under review, in press).

Certifications and memberships

If you have participated in professional development or other relevant training courses, list your certifications.

Are you a member of any professional bodies or organizations? You can list these too to demonstrate your involvement in an academic or professional community.

Languages and technical skills

If you speak more than one language, list your level of fluency (with certification if applicable).

There’s usually no need to include standard computer skills like Microsoft Word, but do highlight your proficiency in specialist softwares or tools relevant to the program (such as statistical programs and design software).

Extracurricular activities

Don’t include irrelevant hobbies or try to show off how busy you were in college, but do list any community or voluntary activities that demonstrate your skills in things like leadership and communication, or that are directly related to the subject you want to study.

Examples of the kinds of things that are worth including might be:

• Organizing events
• Editing a college paper, magazine, or journal
• Being president of a club
• Being involved in a community project

Make sure to carefully proofread your resume (and the rest of your application) before you submit. Also, check out Scribbr’s professional proofreading services to see what we can do for you.

To ensure your formatting stays consistent, it’s generally best to save your resume as a PDF file (unless the university specifies another format).

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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A resume for a graduate school application is typically no more than 1–2 pages long.

Note, however, that if you are asked to submit a CV (curriculum vitae), you should give comprehensive details of all your academic experience. An academic CV can be much longer than a normal resume.

Always carefully check the instructions and adhere to any length requirements for each application.

The sections in your graduate school resume depend on two things: your experience, and the focus of the program you’re applying to.

Always start with your education. If you have more than one degree, list the most recent one first.

The title and order of the other sections depend on what you want to emphasize. You might include things like:

• Professional experience
• Voluntary and extracurricular activities
• Publications
• Skills and certifications

The resume should aim for a balance between two things: giving a snapshot of what you’ve done with your life so far, and showing that you’re a good candidate for graduate study.

No, don’t include your high school courses and grades. The education section should only detail your college education.

If you want to discuss aspects of high school in your graduate school application, you can include this in your personal statement .

A resume is typically shorter than a CV, giving only the most relevant professional and educational highlights.

An academic CV should give full details of your education and career, including lists of publications and presentations, certifications, memberships, grants, and research projects. Because it is more comprehensive, it’s acceptable for an academic CV to be many pages long.

Note that, outside of the US, resume and CV are often used interchangeably.

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Grad School Resume 2024: Tips, FAQs, and Templates

When applying to grad school, you’ll probably be asked to submit your resume. As grad school admissions become increasingly competitive, it’s critical that you have a strong resume to help you stand out from other applicants and impress the selection committee.

The perfect grad school resume is short and concise but persuasive enough to convince your dream grad school that you’re the perfect candidate. An academic resume is quite different to an employment resume, so it’s important to know how to write a winning CV for grad school.

Table of Contents

Why Do I Need a Grad School Resume?

When preparing your grad school application, you’re probably consumed with many tasks like chasing down your academic transcripts and preparing for the  entrance exam . Your graduate school resume might be the last thing on your mind, but you’ll almost certainly need to prepare one.

Grad school admission requirements vary depending on the school you’re applying to, but you’ll typically need to submit the following for your grad school application:

• Completed application form
• Academic transcript
• Entrance exam
• Reference letters
• Personal statement

You shouldn’t use whatever resume you have on hand from the last time you applied for a job. A grad school resume is quite different from an employment resume , so you’ll need to create one specifically for this purpose. A well-crafted and comprehensive resume helps the admissions team understand your strengths, qualifications, experience, and interests. Ultimately, this will help them determine whether or not they’ll accept you into the program.

Related: How To Prep Your Resume For Success (When You’ve No Work Experience)

Tips for Writing a Winning Graduate School Resume in 2024

Follow these tips to show any selection committee that you’re the perfect candidate for their program!

Write a Strong but Concise Introduction

Grad school selection committees go over hundreds, if not  thousands , of resumes to find candidates who meet their standards and who could be excellent ambassadors for the program. Because of sheer volume, they may spend only a few seconds reviewing each resume.

This makes the introduction critical—this part will grab their attention and persuade them to keep reading. So, take your time to write a brief but strong professional profile. In as few words as possible, mention your qualifications, experience, and relevant skills, why you want to join the program, and why you’re the perfect candidate.

Your letter of intent for admission to graduate school gives you a unique way to separate yourself from the rest of the applicants.

Include your Contact Details

Your contact details should go at the top of your resume, right below your name.

Be sure to include the following details:

• Your first name and surname
• Your physical address

Your email address

• At least one contact phone number
• Links to your social media profiles.

You don’t need to include extra information about yourself such as your race, age, or citizenship. In fact, by law, institutions are not allowed to discriminate based on these details; so, it’s best to leave them off your resume entirely.

On the other hand, social media links are important, especially LinkedIn. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile already, consider signing up for one. The selection committee may check your profile to verify your connections, work experience, internships, volunteer work, and educational background.

Pay Attention to Formatting

Good formatting is vital for any resume—a sloppy layout will make you look unprofessional and could damage your chances of getting accepted into a grad program. Keep it short, simple, and precise—make it no more than one page if possible. Don’t include any unnecessary details or information that isn’t relevant to the program.

The exact layout can vary, but your grad school resume should include:

• Your name and contact details
• Summary/introduction
• Education history and educational achievements

Awards and achievements

• Significant research projects
• Extra-curricular activities
• Volunteer work
• Skills and hobbies

Some grad schools want you to follow a standard format, so be sure to check with the admissions office if they have any grad school resume examples or templates. You can’t expect a call back from the selection committee if you can’t follow a simple format instruction!

For more on formatting, take a look at the sample CVs for graduate school admission later in this article.

Detail your Education History

Many grad schools require candidates to have a minimum level of education in order to be considered for their program. Even if a school doesn’t have strict grade prerequisites, at a minimum you will need to have completed an undergraduate degree. Your education history is one of the first things the selection committee will check when going over your resume.

Because this information is so important, you should outline your education in a prominent spot near the top of your resume. Mention the schools you’ve attended, your qualifications, GPA, and any other courses or certifications you took before or after your undergraduate studies. It’s also essential to include any teaching experience and major research projects.

Be sure to include these details in the education section:

•       Name of the school
•       Location
•       Graduation date
•       Degrees
•       Awards

Include your Professional Experience

An academic resume doesn’t need to be limited to your education experience. It’s usually a good idea to also include work experience outside of academia, along with teaching and research experience .

Detailing your diverse work experience may demonstrate additional skills and experience that is relevant to the program. It can also help to build a complete picture of your journey to grad school that will be more compelling to the selection committee. Furthermore, some programs, such as most MBAs, particularly look for professional work experience.

Related: How To Apply To Grad School

Highlight Your Awards and Achievements

Your achievements set you apart from other candidates so it’s vital to highlight them in your resume. Achievements demonstrate your skills and strengths in a very concrete way, giving the committee a good reason to choose you over other applicants. Achievements could include volunteer awards, leadership positions, prizes won as part of extracurricular activities, academic achievements such as honors, and internships. Be sure to also briefly mention what you learned from your achievements.

Detailing your academic achievements can certainly enhance your resume, but it’s not necessary to include every small award you’ve won over the years. Make this section detailed, but without any fluff. Only include awards that are relevant to the program you are applying for.

Stick with Reverse Chronological Order

The selection committee will be most interested in hearing about your latest experience and achievements. Therefore, it’s important to list everything in reverse chronological order: start with your most recent awards, projects, or positions and work backwards chronologically.

You should follow this approach for all the elements in your academic resume. This includes academic and professional work experience, research projects, publications, awards, and other achievements.

Include Key Skills and Proficiencies

At the end of your resume, you should include a section covering your skills and abilities . Detail both the hard and soft skills picked up from your undergraduate program and professional experience. You can also list your hobbies, but remember to avoid fluff – only include extracurricular activities that are relevant to your application.

This doesn’t mean that all the skills and hobbies you mention must be directly related to the graduate program; however, they should show the school that you are a strong candidate for one reason or another. For example, sporting achievements demonstrate dedication and motivation, even if they aren’t directly related to the program you’re applying for. Anything that adds value to your resume will help make your application stand out.

Wherever possible, back up your statements. Rather than just stating that you possess certain skills, provide examples of academic projects that allowed you to build a specific capability, or awards you won that recognize your proficiency in a certain area.

Don’t be Repetitive

Avoid repeating information. If you have only a few achievements to show and you’ve already mentioned them under the education section, you don’t need to create a separate section for achievements and awards. A lengthy resume filled with fluff isn’t going to help you get into your dream school. It’s always better to keep your resume short, concise, and to the point.

Proof Read to Pick up any Errors

Don’t underestimate the importance of proofreading your academic resume for graduate school. Even one or two spelling mistakes, typos, or messy formatting can be a big turn off the selection committees.

Read over your resume to check for errors. Then proofread it again. Just to be sure, ask a friend, family member, or mentor to take a look. Most importantly, make sure your contact details are accurate and up to date!

How to Write a Resume for Your Graduate School Application

Here’s a brief step-by-step guide to writing a resume for grad school applicants.

Step 1: Write a Strong Introduction

Your academic resume should start with a brief but compelling introduction to catch the selection committee’s attention and encourage them to keep reading.

Your introduction should summarize your most relevant skills and academic history, as well as mentioning your main professional objective. A strong graduate school resume objective is authentic, direct, and compelling.

Step 2: List your Academic Experience

In the next section, detail your academic qualifications and experience. Include not only your undergraduate degree and any other studies you’ve completed, but also key coursework, major academic projects and research and teaching experience.

Related: When To Apply For Grad School

Step 3: Detail your Professional Experience

The next part of your academic should cover your professional experience. If you’re a recent graduate with limited experience, list your internships, fellowships, teaching positions, or any other relevant experience you have.

Step 4: Detail your Key Skills

Next, describe your most relevant skills that will impress the admissions committee. It’s essential to include as many relevant keywords as possible, as admissions committees are increasingly using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically filter applications.

Key skills and proficiencies you could add to your resume include:

• Academic research
• Business knowledge
• Social sciences
• Written communication skills
• Skills in specific disciplines, such as accounting, actuarial science, biology, calculus, cell-based analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, economics, engineering, finance, nursing theory, psychology, social work, and statistics

Step 5: List Important Academic Achievements

Finally, highlight your most impressive academic achievements. Include details such as your GPAs, academic memberships and associations, and any awards you’ve received.

Graduate School Resume Template

Below, we’ve included three graduate school resume examples that showcase different ways to format your resume for graduate school. These graduate school resumes include all the critical information, such as academic projects, relevant skills, and professional experience in a clear, concise way.

Grad School Resume Template 1: General Academic Resume

Your First Name, Last Name

Your phone number

LinkedIn profile, other social media profiles

Introduction : 2-3 sentences outlining your qualifications, experience, why you want to join the program, and why you make the perfect candidate.

School name

Completion date – Degree name

• List of accomplishments

Work Experience

Position title Start date – End date

Organization name, address

• Responsibilities and achievements
• List of skills and proficiencies
• List of awards and achievements

Template 2: Professional-Focused Academic Resume (for MBA and similar programs)

Introduction: 2-3 sentences outlining your qualifications, experience, and main career goals.

Template 3: Recent Graduate Academic Resume

Academic Projects

Project subject, Institution, City, State

Start date – End date

• List of key courses

Volunteer Experience

Grad School Resume FAQs

Is an academic resume the same as a regular resume.

A grad school or academic resume is totally different from a resume that you might use to apply for a job. Most students have limited work experience, particularly in the professional sector. Furthermore, grad school selection committees generally look for applicants with a strong academic background. Therefore, an academic resume can focus on qualifications, achievements, test scores, and extracurricular activities.

What Should a Grad School Resume Include?

Contact information, educational qualifications, internship programs, awards and achievements, and any extracurricular activities are the basic essentials you should include in your masters degree resume or graduate school resume. You should also have a strong introduction or summary near the top of your resume which tells the selection committee what they need to know at a glance. You can add additional information, such as professional experience and other projects if it’s relevant to the program.

How Long Should My Grad School Resume Be?

Generally speaking, your grad school resume should be no more than one page. However, if you have a lot of experience and a detailed history of qualifications, you can make your resume 1.5-2 pages. But, we don’t recommend going over two pages! The most important thing is to keep your professional resume for graduate school both relevant and concise.

What is the Best Graduate School Resume Format?

There are a few different graduate school resume formats, and the best one for you will depend on your chosen field of study, as well as your level of experience. Equally, it’s important to format your resume so that you showcase your strengths and achievements in the best way possible.

If you already have professional experience, it’s usually best to open with your most recent experience, then continue the list in reverse chronological order. If you have little to no work experience, its preferable to follow your opening summary with your most impressive academic achievements and qualifications.

How do you Align your Resume with a Job Description?

When applying for jobs, you should never use a one-size-fits all resume. Instead, it’s critical to adapt your CV to the job description each and every time. If the job description mentions certain skills, ensure that your resume shows that you have these capabilities. Additionally, be sure to clearly demonstrate the experience and qualifications detailed in the job description.

Likewise, prospective graduate students should tailor their academic resume to the specific program they’re applying to. Many grad schools are highly competitive, so it’s essential that every part of your application, including your resume, helps you to stand out and clearly shows why you’re an excellent fit for the program.

How Far Back Should a Resume go for Grad School?

Your graduate school application should be as comprehensive as possible, but you don’t need to go overboard. Therefore, for most graduate programs, it’s best to include your undergraduate qualifications and any other relevant certifications, but you don’t need to mention your high school GPA or SAT scores , for example.

Likewise, you should generally include professional work experience going back around 10 – 15 years, as long as it’s relevant to the program.

Wrapping Up

Getting into grad school can be tough, especially if you’re applying to one of the  Ivy Leagues . These schools receive thousands of applications, so you really need to make sure yours stands out. It’s important to take your time and make the effort to present a strong application, from your academic transcript and GPA to your winning grad school resume.

Are you putting together a grad school application? Check out this guide on how to ace your grad school interview .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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5 Expert Tips for Writing a Stand-Out Grad School Resumé

Congratulations on making a great investment in your future by applying to graduate school. The application is complete , you’ve gathered your recommendations , you’ve written your statement of purpose , and now you’re working on developing another important component—your resumé.

Your grad school resumé is an integral piece of the admissions process, says Jared Pierce, former associate director of enrollment quality assurance at Northeastern University. Pierce says that resumés help admissions counselors decide whether a prospective student is a good fit for the program by allowing them to assess the student and his or her strengths, work experience, skills, education, and interests.

Your grad school resumé is similar in many ways to a resumé you’d submit as part of a job application: You should use crisp language to describe your experiences, present a clean and organized layout to make it easy to read, and make sure it’s free from typos and grammar errors. But they’re different, too: Grad school resumés should emphasize your education, work and volunteer experience, and specific skills relevant to the particular program you’re applying to.

“[Admissions teams are] interested in a student’s background and how it’s relevant to the program they want to enroll in,” Pierce says. “If a student is enrolling in a communications program, for example, the admissions team is looking to see whether they’re coming from a social media background or a marketing background, and how that experience applies to what they’re looking for in grad school.”

Attention to detail is paramount when creating your resumé for grad school. Here’s a look at what should be included on your resumé, plus five tips to help you craft one that’s memorable and impactful.

What to include in a resumé for graduate school

In general, your grad school resumé will be similar to a resumé you’d create when applying for a job. Keep in mind, however, that this document should be tailored to your desired program of study in order to show the admissions team that you’re a good fit.

Your graduate school resumé should include:

• A header, including basic information like your name and email address
• Your education histor y , including your undergraduate degree and institution
• Relevant experiences, such as current or previous professional roles, internships, and leadership experience
• Research and publications, including any research projects, articles, or other publications you’ve contributed to through your academic or professional career
• Skills and certifications, especially those closely related to your field of study
• Volunteering and extracurricular activities, if applicable to your program of interest

If you’re unsure whether a particular experience or skill should be included on your resumé, ask yourself how it relates to the program or institution that you’re applying to. If it doesn’t speak directly to your interests and strengths, it’s likely unnecessary to include.

Writing your grad school resumé: 5 tips for success

1. tailor your resumé to the program..

When graduate schools review your resumé, they’re weighing the relevancy of your previous experience and education with the program you’re applying to. In other words, they want to see a correlation between what you’ve done and where you’re going.

Pierce recommends reviewing the homepage of the program you’re interested in before writing your resumé. Some programs require two or three years of work experience or a portfolio, so make sure you qualify for the program you’re applying to.

If you’re interested in the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, for example, review the program’s webpage and make note of its requirements, objectives, core courses, and any relevant keywords it uses. Then make sure you check those boxes as you write your resumé.

2. Highlight all relevant experience.

While some prospective students apply to grad school from the field, others apply to programs upon completion of their undergraduate degree. For this reason, not all students will have professional experience to list on their resumé—and that’s OK, Pierce says.

“It’s a misnomer that if you don’t have professional experience, you can’t write a resumé,” he says. “There are other types of experience that are just as important and useful, so make sure you highlight everything that is relevant.”

Other than professional experience, admissions committees are interested in volunteer work and internships you’ve completed. This experience is just as relevant. For all experience—professional or otherwise—it’s important to showcase the duties you performed in those roles, and both the hard and soft skills you learned. This might include leading teams or projects, honing communication skills, or becoming proficient in specific software or programs.

3. Showcase your skills.

Your resumé should include a skills section that highlights technologies, skills, and other competencies relevant to the graduate program you’re applying to, Pierce says.

If you’re applying to the Master of Science in Computer Science program, for example, your resumé should list the programming languages you know (e.g., Python, C++, Ruby on Rails), computer applications you’ve used, and software or systems that you’re experienced in.

4. Include professional achievements.

In addition to your experience and skills, admissions committees are interested in the professional certifications you earned, professional training you’ve completed, professional organizations of which you’re a member, and any instances in which you’ve been published.

Prospective students interested in the Master of Science in Project Management program, for example, should list any PMP certifications they’ve earned, while students interested in a Master of Science in Human Resource Management should note their membership to the Society for Human Resource Management, Pierce says. These achievements and memberships add another dimension to your resumé, showcasing your efforts outside your job, volunteer work, or internships to further your career and broaden your experience.

5. Keep it clean.

Your grad school resumé should be succinct, only rarely exceeding one page, Pierce says. It should go without saying, too, that your resumé should be clean, well formatted, easy to read, and free of typos or grammatical errors.

“We’re looking for a well-organized resumé that shows that care has been taken in creating it,” Pierce says. “Don’t just list out your experience in bullet points; tell us what duties you performed and how it correlates to the program you’re applying to. Your resumé is a reflection of you—we want to see that it’s polished and detailed, and understand what your background is like and what your experiences have been.”

Grad school resumé support

Applying to graduate school can be both exciting and stressful. Luckily, admissions teams and enrollment coaches are available to help you along the way and make the process as smooth as possible. If you have questions as you’re preparing your application and related materials, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. At the end of the day, admissions teams want to ensure that you’re a good fit for their program and, in effect, that their program is a good fit for you. 

At Northeastern, there are various resources and experts you can leverage for support throughout the application process. Don’t hesitate to contact faculty members in your program of interest with specific questions about the degree program. With more general questions about the application process, paying for your degree , and program requirements, you can speak with an enrollment coach or attend one of our prospective student events .

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2023 and has since been updated for relevance and accuracy. 

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Graduate School Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

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Graduate School Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Christine Li (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, Philadelphia, PA 12345

A Psychology Graduate specializing in behavioral analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, and developmental psychology. Adept at executing complex research initiatives and collaborating with diverse academic teams.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Psychology Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, September 2017 – May 2021 GPA: 3.8/4.0

• Vice President, Temple Student Psychology Association, 2019-2021
• Member, Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society, 2017-2021
• Dean’s List 2017-2021
• Magna Cum Laude

Professional Experience

Research Assistant, Dr. William Stern, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2020 – May 2021

• Conducted research on a variety of psychology topics and trends, including emotionally-focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques
• Coordinated with a team of scholars to conduct a research project analyzing the psychological effects of poverty in food desert areas, including conducting interviews, developing surveys, and evaluating statistical trends

Academic Projects

Psychology Research Projects, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2017 – May 2021

• Wrote a 25-page research paper for the Psychology capstone course analyzing the cultural experience of Chinese American immigrants in urban and rural areas and the relationship between institutionalized racism and anxiety
• Developed a 10-page research paper evaluating the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to treat depression symptoms
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Development Psychology
• Emotionally-Focused Therapy
• Behavioral Analysis
• Trauma Intervention
• Academic Research
• Relationship Building
• Team Collaboration
• Written Communication

Luis Rodriguez (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345

A Speech Pathology Graduate specializing in speech-language therapy, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), American Sign Language (ASL), and team leadership. A proven track record of mentoring students within the Speech-Language program and providing ESL tutoring services.

Bachelor of Art (B.A.) Speech-Language-Hearing Science Columbia University, New York, NY September 2017 – May 2021 GPA: 3.75/4.0

• Member, American Sign Language Club, 2018-2021
• Member, National Honors Society, 2017-2021
• Dean’s List, 2017-2021
• Summa Cum Laude

Speech-Language-Hearing Writing Tutor, Columbia University, New York, NY September 2020 – May 2021

• Coordinated with students weekly to identify weaknesses, resolved questions with speech, language, and hearing science course material, and developed strategies for academic success
• Resolved concerns regarding paper structure, prompts, revisions, and MLA and APA citation formatting

Classroom Assistant, Columbia University, New York, NY September 2019 – September 2020

• Supported a professor in the execution of two English preparatory courses for incoming first-year students
• Taught two thirty-minute sessions five days a week based on the needs of the students and focused on improving writing abilities and critical thinking skills

Volunteerism Experience

Volunteer Teaching Assistant, Brooklyn Literacy Center, New York, NY June 2020 – Present

• Supported one instructor in facilitating a three-hour class for ESL students, conducted evaluations to identify academic weaknesses, and assisted with implementing lesson plans and activities
• Speech-Language-Hearing Therapy
• American Sign Language
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Lesson Plan Implementation
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Sandra Carlisle (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, San Francisco, CA 12345

An Economics Graduate specializing in statistical analysis, accounting, financial analysis, risk management, and ROI analysis. Experience in conducting economic research to evaluate statistical trends and inform financial decision making for businesses.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Economics University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA September 2017 – May 2021 GPA: 3.6.5/4.0

• Member, UC Berkeley Economics Club, 2017-2021
• Dean’s List, 2018-2019

Internship, Anderson Financial Firm, San Francisco, CA April 2020 – April 2021

• Performed statistical analysis on economic and financial trends for a financial investment firm, which included evaluating potential ROI of startup businesses
• Supported a team of Financial Analysts and Economists in evaluating business models, analyzing risk, and forecasting financial outlook to inform investment decisions
• Attended meetings with the Finance team and assisted with the preparation of financial presentations and reports

Economic & Financial Research Projects, UC Berkeley, Berkeley CA September 2017 – May 2021

• Wrote a 20-page research essay using quantitative and qualitative analysis to investigate the potential long-term financial outlook of hospitality businesses in the Covid-19 era
• Coordinated with a team of students to conduct a financial research project analyzing the scalability and sustainability of hypothetical business models
• Financial Analysis
• Risk Management
• Quantitative Analysis
• Qualitative Analysis
• ROI Analysis
• Team Leadership

Ted Johnson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, Boston, MA 12345

A recent Social Work Graduate specializing in psychotherapy, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), public health, and client relations. A strong background in working with non-profit agencies to execute community outreach initiatives.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Social Work Boston University, Massachusetts, MA September 2017 – May 2021 GPA: 3.6/4.0

• Member, Student Diversity Council, 2018-2021
• Dean’s List, 2017-2018, 2020-2021

Internship, Boston Community Resource Center, Boston, MA June 2020 – April 2021

• Collaborated with a team of social workers at a non-profit organization to provide resources, housing, and food to the homeless population
• Interfaced with clients to provide information on available resources, including mental health services, job fairs, employment opportunities, and rehab centers
• Fielded phone inquiries, gathered client information, and updated case files in coordination with the social services team

Volunteer, St. Margaret’s Homeless Shelter, Boston, MA December 2018 – Present

• Provided operational support for a homeless shelter with over 250+ clients per day, assisted with meal preparation, and distributed hygiene supplies
• Communicated with clients to discuss needs, provided emotional support, and delivered referrals on available resources to improve quality of life and daily functioning
• Substance Abuse
• Child Welfare
• Psychotherapy
• Public Health
• Client Relations
• Community Outreach
• Emotional Intelligence

To stand out from the competition for graduate programs, you’ll need to craft an accomplishment-driven document that showcases your most compelling academic achievements. Providing descriptions of specific research projects and internships is one way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. Many universities also place a great deal of weight on associations you were involved in and your volunteer efforts. We’ll provide expert tips to help you translate your academic background and experience into a powerful resume.

1. Summarize your graduate school qualifications in a dynamic profile

When applying to graduate school, develop a professional summary at the top of your resume that encapsulates your key skills and academic expertise. Even if you lack hands-on experience in the field, this section will allow you to make a strong case for why you should be considered for graduate programs.

For example, showcasing emotional intelligence and client relations skills you may have acquired through volunteerism could resonate with the university if you intend to pursue a field of study in health care. Pay close attention to what qualities the program is looking for in its candidates and consider how your academic career aligns with the university’s values.

Professional Profile - Example #1

A speech pathology graduate specializing in speech-language therapy, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), American Sign Language (ASL), and team leadership. A proven track record of mentoring students within the speech-language program and providing English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring services.

Professional Profile - Example #2

An economics graduate specializing in statistical analysis, accounting, financial analysis, risk management, and return on investment (ROI) analysis. Experience in conducting economic research to evaluate statistical trends and inform financial decision-making for businesses.

2. Create a powerful list of your graduate school experience

Crafting a professional experience section can be difficult for graduate students due to a lack of hands-on experience within your field. If you’ve completed an internship or research fellowship, feature this experience as the flagship of your resume. But if you haven’t had this type of opportunity, don’t panic. Leveraging your academic projects can also be highly impactful in demonstrating your qualifications for graduate programs.

Professional Experience Example

• Supported a team of financial analysts and economists in evaluating business models, analyzing risk, and forecasting financial outlook to inform investment decisions
• Attended meetings with the finance team and assisted with the preparation of financial presentations and reports

Academic Projects Example

Psychology Research Projects, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA May 2021 – June 2022

• Wrote a 25-page research paper for the psychology capstone course analyzing the cultural experience of Chinese American immigrants in urban and rural areas and the relationship between institutionalized racism and anxiety

3. Include graduate school-related education and certifications

When applying for graduate school programs, feature your education, coursework, and academic achievements prominently on your document. Depending on your field of study, you may also want to consider pursuing a certification to strengthen your application. For example, if you were pursuing a graduate degree in economics or finance, you could obtain a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification after completing the FINRA exam. This shows universities you’ve been proactive in expanding your knowledge and expertise while pursuing graduate programs.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Speech-Language Pathology
• Columbia University, New York, NY September 2019 – June 2023

Certifications

• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), 2023

4. List key graduate school skills and proficiencies

When building your resume for your graduate school application, create a robust skills section highlighting a mix of both hard and soft skills. Universities use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out unqualified candidates. Include as many relevant keywords as possible to maximize your chances of advancing to the next phase of the application process. Before you apply, carefully evaluate the graduate program you’re pursuing and ensure you include all the necessary coursework and skills in your document. Below are some potential keywords to use during the application process:

Featuring key academic projects and educational achievements is essential for building a strong graduate school application. Be sure to include all of your relevant degrees, academic associations, GPAs, and coursework. For example, as a speech pathologist student, you may want to include your knowledge of ASL. If you were an engineering graduate, highlight projects where you collaborated with student teams to create prototypes.

How To Pick the Best Graduate Resume Template

It’s best to select a well-organized, straightforward template when applying for graduate school applications. Although flashy colors and graphics may be visually appealing, these types of modern templates often distract the reader from your content. When in doubt, prioritize structure and organization over style.

Frequently Asked Questions: Graduate School Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for graduate school resumes -.

It’s easy to run short on action verbs when describing your internships, research fellowships, and academic projects. In many instances, there are only a limited number of verbs you can use to convey your academic experience accurately. Differentiating your word choice sends a message to the reader that you’ve put time and effort into your graduate school application. We’ve compiled a list of verbs to build your resume:

How do you align your resume with a job description? -

The top graduate school programs are highly competitive. Numerous factors come into play, including your undergraduate program, GRE scores, internship experience, and letters of recommendation. To maximize your chances, carefully tailor your resume to the program you’re applying for. However, determining what key terms to include can be challenging on a graduate school resume, as not all programs will provide you with a robust description to build off of. Integrate as many key terms and courses from your field as possible in this situation.

What is the best graduate school resume format? -

The ideal graduate school format varies depending on your field of study and professional experience. If you’ve completed an internship, a reverse chronological approach is the best option. Other candidates may opt to feature their education and academic projects directly below their opening summary. Ultimately, choose a format that allows you to feature your most compelling qualifications and academic achievements towards the top of your resume.

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Most graduate programs require some form of cover letter from applicants. To garner interest from universities, highlight how your background and personal values align with the programs you’re targeting. Avoid crafting generic cover letters. They won’t generate results. Be thoughtful in your messaging and display a genuine passion for your field of study. For more information, visit our recent graduate school cover letter page.

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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•       Resources       Building a Standout Graduate School Resume

Building a Standout Graduate School Resume

Examples and advice on curriculum vitae & grad school resumes.

Graduate school often requires a resume or curriculum vitae for admission. Understand the difference and see examples of how to create a standout graduate school resume or CV.

Nearly all graduate programs require a grad school application resume. Prospective students need to craft a curriculum vitae (CV) or an academic resume showing their educational background, employment history, research experience, internships, volunteer work, and academic achievements.

A resume for applying to graduate school needs to make a strong impression quickly. According to research from Glassdoor , recruiters look at a resume for just six seconds before deciding whether to reject an applicant. The guide below offers future graduate students help with creating a CV or resume. Students can peruse templates, advice from experts, and other resources to create a standout resume that should impress an admissions committee and lead to a positive decision.

Graduate School Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae

Most graduate schools request a CV or a graduate school resume as part of the admissions process. While fundamental differences exist between a CV and a resume, both can help an admissions officer understand an applicant's background, experience, and knowledge. Therefore, using a good curriculum vitae template or following excellent grad school resume examples can boost a prospective student's chances of admission.

Why do graduate schools want CVs?

Graduate school admissions offices usually want to see a CV for the same reason human resources officers want to see a resume. This easy-to-read document helps them understand who an applicant is and whether or not they might make a good candidate to accept into the school or workplace.

What do grad programs usually request?

Most graduate programs in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences request CVs; admissions committees in these disciplines want to know about a prospective student's academic and research abilities. Alternatively, business schools and law schools may request a resume since these programs focus more on career preparation for executive-level work.

How are CVs and resumes similar?

Both CVs and resumes contain a brief written history of an individual's accomplishments, experiences, and skills. Both act as marketing documents that help an individual land an interview with a potential employer or university program. Both also provide key contact information.

How are CVs and resumes different?

A CV usually includes a longer, more detailed account of a person's academic history and research background, while a resume focuses on their employment history and applied achievements. A CV may consist of 2-3 pages of information -- even for an entry-level candidate -- whereas a resume rarely runs more than a single page.

The following table provides more details about the differences and similarities between a CV and a resume.

Ten Characteristics of a Standout Graduate School Resume or CV

For a graduate student's resume or CV to stand out, it must catch the interest of the admissions team. The following checklist can help keep a resume or CV on track.

• Keep It Focused: A resume should highlight career achievements and academic work. Avoid including irrelevant experiences and save most descriptors for cover letters and interviews. Bullet points can help sharpen a resume's focus.
• Include Internships and Volunteer Work: A resume can include more than paid employment. Internships and volunteer work that demonstrate skills and talents needed for the prospective program or job can boost a resume's content.
• Mention Academic Accomplishments: A CV or resume can include a student's GPA, a list of academic awards, or even a sample of coursework. However, make sure included information is relevant to the target program.
• Employ an Easy-to-follow Format: Every so often, a creative new resume format appears online. However, many managers and admissions officers find these formats confusing since they are accustomed to reading resumes in one of four or five standard styles.
• Error-free Text: Admissions committees facing a stack of resumes often use errors as a way to sift through the pile. A well-proofed resume should contain no spelling errors, and it needs to demonstrate consistency in spacing and alignment.
• Include Technical Competencies: Listing relevant technical skills, such as proficiency with programming languages or operating systems, can help make a resume stand out. Specific examples should support any claim of technical competency.
• Call Out Awards, Grants, and Honors: Many potential graduate students have received awards, written successful grant proposals, and/or achieved an academic honor. Resumes can include this information -- either in a separate section or embedded in the standard education or employment sections.
• Use Professional Styles: An easy-to-read style often trumps a creative presentation. Students should write resumes and CVs using 12-point font, bolded headlines, bullet points, and Times New Roman or another serif font.
• Makes Use of Strong Verbs: As in all writing, verbs form the basis of powerful expression. The best resumes rely on verbs instead of adjectives to demonstrate a robust educational and professional background.
• Flows Logically: An admissions team wants to see that a candidate can organize information in a systematic and logical way. Doing so on a resume can set a candidate apart as a clear and organized individual.

Templates of Successful Grad School Resumes and CVs

Writing a resume or CV can feel daunting, especially when you are trying to stuff years of education and research into one or two pages. Thankfully, you can organize your information logically by using a template. Look over the following examples of academic resumes and CVs from various institutions.

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• Sample CV for Master of Environmental Studies
• Sample Resume for Master of Liberal Arts
• Template for a CV in Sciences and Engineering
• Template for a CV in the Humanities
• Sample CV for Students in Policy-related Programs
• Sample CV for Students in Teaching-related Programs

Need to write your statement of purpose?

Use this guide to learn what academic departments look for, how to structure a winning statement, and what our expert has to say on the matter.

Writing a Successful Grad School Statement of Purpose

Expert FAQ: Additional Answers About CV and Grad School Resume Building

Erin lewis, career liaison.

Erin Lewis has worked in the Center for Career and Professional Development at Clarion University for the past 12 years and currently serves as a career liaison to education and training, arts and communication, and human services. As a professional staff member who specializes in resume writing, Erin trains and supervises the peer resume review team at Clarion University and has developed a resume assessment rubric for use with multiple courses.

Erin has an interest and specialty in online career services. She created virtual delivery of services through the university's online learning platform, which includes topics on the basics of resume writing, applicant tracking system resumes, keywords on resumes, and customizing resumes for a job search. Erin also created video resume reviews for students who are unable to meet in person for resume consultations.

What problems do you see grad students running into a lot when they are building out their resume?

A common problem for graduate students who are just building a resume is becoming overwhelmed. They have acquired many skills and experiences and don't know where to begin, what to include, or how much to include.

What advice do you give grad students who are building a resume but might not have a lot of job experience?

When I work with graduate students who might not have a lot of job experience, I first work with the individuals to assess and inventory their skill sets. From talking with employers, we know that a high value is placed on candidates who possess communication, critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, information technology application, and leadership skills; professionalism; and career management and global/intercultural fluency.

Candidates who can provide evidence on their resume of how they have gained these skills and applied them in a multitude of settings can be just as successful as candidates with work experience. Job experience is beneficial, but students should never discount the skill sets they have gained from clubs and organizations, volunteerism, classroom projects, or study abroad experiences.

Using the right words to articulate your skills on a resume clearly and concisely is extremely important. Incorporating industry-specific keywords and highlighting your KASE (knowledge, achievements, skills, and experiences) is critical to stand out in today's competitive job market!

Should grad students include a line about their references in their resume?

A line about references really depends on each application. If you are applying to a position that has already requested your references, it is not necessary to include any phrase on the resume regarding references -- simply include them in your application materials.

If you are attending a career fair or similar networking event, a line regarding references available upon request is acceptable but often unnecessary.

What kind of licensure or certifications should grad students list?

Every resume should be customized and tailored for each specific application. Your first priority is to include any licensure or certifications that the position description lists as required. Your second priority is to include what is preferred, followed by any additional licensure or certifications that will help to differentiate you from the competition!

Keep in mind MORE does not always mean BETTER. Employers, on average, spend 6-8 seconds on your resume. Include what is most relevant and keep descriptions clear and to the point.

Should someone's resume look different if they are an undergrad student vs. a working professional?

Every resume is as unique as the person who is writing it! Even students who sit in the same classes together are going to have varying experiences to include on their resumes. This means that while the basics of resume writing are the same for all individuals, working professionals may have different section headings and a different content order compared to a traditional undergraduate student. Additionally, working professionals will most likely have more work experience and content to include on their resume.

If you are a working professional looking to revise your resume, consider listing your work experience section first -- employers typically place a high value on this section. Additionally, any other relevant skills and experiences that relate to the position you are applying for should emphasize abilities and qualifications that match the job description. Remember, one of the most critical actions you can take with your resume is to tailor it to the company or position to which you are applying.

Should students always include a cover letter? Or just when it is indicated in an application description?

A cover letter is almost always important, even when it isn't specifically indicated in an application description. If you email your resume to a particular individual, the body of the email becomes your cover letter. If you upload your resume into an online database and there is no space for a cover letter, it is best to copy and paste your cover letter into the comment box of the application.

Be cautious with your writing communication. Your correspondence with potential employers should always be professional -- whether via email or online forms.

What is the best format to send a resume in?

The best format in which to send a resume is how the employer requests it. Be sure to read the job posting for specific application instructions. If there is no request for a specific type of document format, save the file as a PDF and send it as an attachment.

The name of your resume file matters! If you use a file name such as "resume" or "new_resume," you won't stand out and your file can be difficult to sort. It can also give the impression that you don't really care about the job enough to pay attention to details. Instead of a generic file name, use a format such as "Firstname_lastname_resume" to make it easier for an employer to find your documents.

When you are emailing your job documents, be sure to use a clear subject, such as "First Name Last Name Application." Carefully proofread all of your documents and correspondence to avoid errors.

Additional Resources for CV and Resume Help for Grad School

The list below includes a selection of articles from various websites related to job searching, resume writing, and bridging the gap between graduate school and the work world. Some websites target the general population, while others specifically focus on the academic community.

• CareerOneStop : Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, this site offers extensive job search resources. Students can find a wealth of articles on writing resumes, crafting cover letters, and acing interviews.
• How to Write a Curriculum Vitae : Published by the American Academy of Family Physicians, this guide provides a template for graduate students to use when creating a CV for jobs. The article includes a list of headings along with formatting tips.
• How To Write Your Human-voiced Resume : Published in Forbes, this article offers a new take on creating a resume using storytelling, person-to-person language, and anecdotal evidence for career claims. The advice in this article could also help a student write a cover letter.
• Resume Builder : Resume Builder helps users craft an effective resume using its online tool. The site also offers templates, examples, formats, and tips for writing both resumes and cover letters.
• Resume Help : This site provides a variety of resources for job seekers, including a free tool that lets users put data into a professional resume template and then export the result to Microsoft Word or to a PDF.
• Succeeding in Grad School : PhDs.org is a data-based site that helps doctoral students choose a program and achieve success. It published this list of 10 articles discussing success in grad school, including advice on finding a job.
• Tips, Ideas, and Advice for Making the Most of Graduate School from GoGrad : This site offers extensive resources for graduate students across a variety of subjects, including how to write a winning personal statement and how to write a successful statement of purpose.
• Versatile PhD : A total of 62 higher education institutions participate in the Versatile PhD -- a site that helps doctoral students create a bridge to professional careers. Users can use the site's tools to identify career options, participate in events, and learn about career searches.
• What Predicts Grad School Success : This article from the American Psychological Association looks at the various factors that research shows are keys to finishing a graduate program, including curiosity, conscientiousness, native intelligence, and emotional intelligence. 
• Writing the Curriculum Vitae : One of the internet's most extensive and authoritative resources for academic writing, the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University published this comprehensive article on writing a curriculum vitae.

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7 Grad School Resume Examples + Complete Guide

Grad School

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

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Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

• Grad School Resumes
• Grad School Resumes A-M
• Grad School Resumes N-Z
• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

As a graduate student, you’ve dedicated years to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of the world. And if that weren’t enough, you’re paying the bills and building your expertise along the way.

But even though you can tackle research and jobs with a cool head, writing an effective cover letter and grad school resume can feel like a shot in the dark. How are you supposed to know what to include, and how can you showcase all your skills without going over a page?

We’ve created seven grad school resume samples based on the best resume practices for grad students . These examples have helped scholars make a resume to get job interviews at prestigious universities, private corporations, and federal laboratories across the country.

Grad School Resume

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• We’d recommend using a  resume outline  to structure your thoughts initially—just jot down everything you can think of. Then go through and narrow it down so it contains only the essentials.
• Then you can  format your resume  so it’s easy to read and pleasing to look at. Don’t forget to keep your section headers distinct with a different font and color.
• You can include metrics about any rates you improved (like efficiency or time saved), the amount of grant money you helped earn, your GPA, how many publications you produced, or the number of people you worked with or assisted.

Graduate School Resume

• If the institution caters to a specific subject like history then mention how you’ve used your skills to truly pursue excellence in this field via projects, internships, etc. Decided to study when everyone else was partying? Don’t be shy! Showcase your academic brilliance by adding a high GPA of at least 3.75.

Grad School Application Resume

• Whether it be scoring an internship at a big company like NVIDIA or even using your skills to create various solutions, ensure you highlight the best parts! Let the university recruiters know your desire and ambition to contribute to society by pursuing higher studies there!

Biology Grad School Resume

• An objective is best if you’re changing careers or have only a few years of experience in your field. If you have over 10 years of experience, use a  resume summary  instead.
• Make sure your objective is personalized for every job application by including the specific job title, company, and relevant skills each time you submit your resume.
• For example, what areas of research are you familiar with? How did you assist with experiments, and what were the results of your research? Did you improve lab processes in any way, and if so, how?

Nursing Grad School Resume

• Quantifiable metrics can include patient satisfaction, the number of successful procedures you performed, how accurately you filled out paperwork, and number of patients you cared for per shift.
• Before you submit your application, always  check your resume  so it’s completely free of errors, like present tense verbs, missed commas, and typos. You’d be surprised by what you can miss on the first few revisions!

Psychology Grad School Resume

• Hiring managers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline the initial stages of applicant cuts. The ATS catches keywords in your resume and matches them to skills preselected by recruiters. If you don’t include enough skills in your resume, you’ll be eliminated. So, read the job description to add similar skills in a dedicated skills section.
• We recommend adding six to eight skills in your skills section to demonstrate your technical capabilities.
• Getting a job in psychology isn’t easy, so if you’ve got any special licenses or certifications, add an optional “certifications” section to your resume to show off your credentials.

SLP Grad School Resume

• While you can certainly list those skills in your skills section, it’s best to include them both in your skills section  and  in your work experience bullets.
• Explain how you used those skills to make a positive impact on your patients and in your workplace. Always think of the “how” questions and try to answer them in your resume for the strongest effect.
• Including your interests can make you more personable to the hiring manager, which is vital when the hiring team considers who they’ll interview!

Related resume guides

• College Graduate
• College Student

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• • Developed and implemented machine learning models that improved data processing speed by 30%, contributing to project efficiency.
• • Conducted data analysis on large datasets, identifying key trends that influenced decision-making processes for senior management.
• • Collaborated with a cross-functional team to create predictive models for customer behavior, increasing customer retention by 15%.
• • Presented data insights and model results to stakeholders, resulting in the adoption of new data-driven strategies across departments.
• • Automated data collection processes using Python, reducing manual data entry tasks by 25 hours per week.
• • Participated in the design and execution of A/B testing for new product features, leading to a 10% increase in user engagement.
• • Assisted in the development of a neural network model for image recognition, improving accuracy by 20% over previous models.
• • Conducted literature reviews and data collection for research projects, ensuring comprehensive and up-to-date information.
• • Collaborated with senior researchers to publish findings in a peer-reviewed journal, contributing to the academic community.
• • Presented research findings at academic conferences, enhancing the visibility and impact of our work.
• • Utilized Python and R for statistical analysis, supporting ongoing research projects with accurate data interpretations.
• • Developed lesson plans and educational materials to support student learning in mathematics and science.
• • Organized and led weekly study sessions, improving student performance by 20% on average.

5 Grad School Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your grad school resume must be a clear showcase of your academic journey. Highlight your highest achievements and relevant coursework. Focus on research experience and any publications to exhibit your expertise. Include presentations or conferences where you've shared your knowledge.

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

How to format a grad school resume

How to write your grad school resume experience

How to list your hard skills and soft skills on your resume.

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

How to write your grad school resume summary or objective

Additional sections for a grad school resume, key takeaways.

One would think that being accepted to grad school would be easier than finding a job in the current job market. But the truth is, certain establishments seem almost impossible to enroll in. For example, Stanford University Graduate School of Business’s 2023 MBA course accepted only 8.42% of applicants .

This is why if you’re considering further academic training, you must effectively highlight your determination, goal-oriented attitude, and how the course will enhance your career prospects.

In our guide on how to create a carefully thought-out grad school resume, we’ll demonstrate:

• How to choose a resume layout that best suits your expertise and properly format it
• What recruiters are searching for in a perfect candidate and how to reflect it in your own resume
• Which grad school skills are most in demand and how to showcase them on your application
• How to foolproof your resume by making it compliant with ATS (Applicant Tracking System) tools
• How to frame your education and certification section so that it relates to your desired course
• What the hallmarks of a convincing resume objective or summary are.
• How to use our real grad school resume examples to inform your writing process.

Before we continue, take a look at other guides we have on related topics:

• Student Ambassador resume
• SLP Grad School resume
• Academic resume
• College resume  
• MBA application resume  
• Grad school resume  

How to format a grad school resume

Grad school competition is tough. You must convince faculty committee members that pursuing a postgraduate degree isn’t a spontaneous decision on your part. That’s why when building your application, you must clearly and succinctly convey the scope of your knowledge, as well as your future career plans.

The first step towards crafting a stellar grad school resume is choosing an appropriate resume format . Below, we’ll review the three most popular layouts and the types of candidates they best represent.

Reverse-chronological resume format

If you’re a professional with extensive work experience in your particular academic field, select the reverse-chronological resume format . This template will perfectly showcase your research abilities and in-depth subject matter knowledge. Plus, the layout is preferred by admission officers because it’s easy to scan through and clearly demonstrates your academic career progression.

One of the format’s advantages is that you get to curate the experience section by picking which roles to add and bring emphasis to. However, keep in mind that oftentimes being overly selective or not arranging your experience section properly can emphasize existing career gaps. To avoid this, don’t forget to include extra details that explain the gaps in other sections of your resume, such as going on a sabbatical leave  or being a stay-at-home parent .

Hybrid (combination) resume format

On the other hand, if you’ve managed to gain some hands-on professional experience before going back to school, then the hybrid resume format  is your best option. The layout offers a fair overview of both your experience and expertise without placing a special emphasis on one over the other.

Some might argue that the lack of stress on a particular resume section is counterproductive. However, depending on the academic field, this can be a good way to demonstrate you have both the knowledge and practical experience to do the job — especially if you’re aiming for an entry-level position after you graduate. Remember to list any transferable skills  or supplementary knowledge you have to offer.

Functional resume format

Finally, if you lack any practical professional history in your respective field, pick the functional resume format . This layout draws attention to your academic qualifications, professional training, and acquired skills. Make sure you frame your education section accordingly and list all your degrees and certificates in order of relevance.

If you do have some hands-on experience, such as pertinent internships, volunteering gigs, or just shadowing other professionals , add them to your resume.

Run your grad school resume through our AI-powered resume checker to gain actionable insights on 16 essential points for free, as well as tips on how to improve your application.

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Further format writing tips

Once you choose an appropriate professional template , it’s time to work on design and formatting. Here are some tips and rules to take into consideration:

• Arrange your work history in reverse chronological order: Faculty committee members have a very limited time to go over individual applications. So, it’s recommended you place your most recent roles near the top of the resume to emphasize your current expertise level.
• Optimize your resume header to reflect your qualifications: Many dismiss the resume header  as a simple personal information section. However, if you want to make your resume stand out, you must be more strategic during the writing process. So, apart from your name, address, and contact information , attach a link to your portfolio  and list any industry-recognized credentials you have, such as CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse).
• Ensure you build an ATS-friendly resume :  Focus on a clear and simple resume layout  to ensure readability by both ATS and recruiters. Make sure you integrate resume keywords from the job description naturally within your resume which will also impress recruiters.
• Select a simple design and resume font :  Being in academia doesn’t mean your resume has to look like a research paper. Each field has its traditions and trends, so consider these when choosing a clean, stylish design. Ensure readability by selecting a serif or sans-serif font like Raleway or Rubik.
• Add more information about your expertise in the education section:  For your application, it's recommended to include more details about your education. The faculty committee needs to assess how your current knowledge overlaps with the graduate program and evaluate the long-term benefits to your career.
• Create a single-page resume : While your grad school resume must outline all relevant work and life experiences, it’s important to note that this should be done in a very focused and concise way. If you want to elaborate further on any of the information you’ve added to your application, detail it in your grad school cover letter .
• Check submission requirements before saving:  Unless stated otherwise, preserve the design and layout of your resume by saving it as a PDF file . Also, confirm that you’ve adhered to any document naming conventions listed in the ad.

Next, divide your grad school resume into sections. Remember to leave enough space for the following key segments:

The top sections on a grad school resume

• Personal information section : Provide recruiters with your basic contact details to help them reach you easily.
• Education history section : Showcase your academic qualifications as these are essential to demonstrate your readiness for advanced studies.
• Research experience section : Bring attention to your experience in conducting research to display your ability to contribute to scholarly discourse.
• Publications section : Highlight your research papers or scholarly articles you’ve published to demonstrate your contributions to your field.
• References section : Exhibit support from your respective community by listing the contacts of other field-recognized peers who willingly vouch for your competence and character.

Below you’ll find quintessential points you must cover in each of the segments you add to your application:

What recruiters want to see on your resume

• Strong academic performance : Your grades are a clear indicator of your academic abilities and dedication to your studies, which are critical for grad school.
• Relevant research experience : This shows that you’re familiar with research methodologies and have experience in critical analysis, which is essential for grad school.
• Published work : If you have any published work, it showcases your ability to conduct thorough research and contribute to your academic field.
• Clear career objectives : This shows that you have a clear direction for your future and that further education is a necessary step towards achieving those goals.
• Quality references : These can vouch for your hard work, dedication, and capabilities, further strengthening your application.

The experience section  of your resume is where you provide a summary of relevant past roles, career achievements, and acquired skills, such as operating specific industry equipment and tools.

Regardless of your academic specialty and experience, faculty committees want to see your understanding of key industry organizations and trends. Avoid the "laundry list" approach; instead, highlight your achievements. This will demonstrate your skills and emphasize your ability to set and achieve goals.

Here’s how to structure your grad school resume experience entries:

• Provide the name of your previous employer and your job title:  Some organizations have many subsidiaries and sister companies, which often operate under the same brand name. So, always make sure to state the organization’s full name and your job title, as they provide context about your professional development and range of skills.
• Summarize your employer’s business operations in one sentence: Speaking of listing a company’s legal name, make sure you outline its business operations and how your position was related.
• Add a link to the website of the organization: Link to the company’s website to let faculty members get a better understanding of your past employer's mission, goals, and overall performance.
• Cite the start and end date of your employment, as well as where you’re located:  You don’t have to provide exact dates. Listing the month and year is more than enough. Also, even if you’re working remotely, do include the location of the branch you’re associated with.
• Recount your academic and career achievements as bullet points: Your experience entries should include between three and five bullet points that describe the scope of your knowledge and abilities. Remember to begin each bullet point with an action verb  to emphasize the significance of your accomplishments.
• Build a targeted resume : Align your skills and achievements with the course requirements to showcase what makes you the perfect candidate to secure a spot in the postgraduate program. It’ll also demonstrate your professional development within your respective field.

With all this in mind, have a look at the following example:

• • Fixed and patched data visualization features.
• • Employed Python, Java, and Liquibase in day-to-day tasks.
• • Reduced error margins by 4.5% by developing custom features.

The main issue that sticks out is the mismatch between the time the applicant spent as an intern and the “achievements” listed. A month isn’t enough to completely familiarize yourself with a complex database project and its documentation.

In addition, the bullet points don’t actually showcase what the candidate is capable of achieving. One mentions a list of tools, but not how they’ve been applied in practice. By contrast, the other two bullet points are vague because they don’t offer enough information for the accomplishments to really stand out.

A more enhanced version of the above example would be:

• • Assisted in fixing and patching 10+ data visualization features to address client concerns, thus increasing customer satisfaction by 35%.
• • Boosted data aggregation speed with Python and Liquibase by 10 seconds, which resulted in a 60% raise in positive feedback from clients, as well as a 20% raise in new clients.
• • Developed a custom feature with Java and R to audit and clean aggregated information for a client conducting business with military organizations, thus reducing error margin by 4.5%.

This entry will impress admissions officers because the candidate clearly states which programming languages they’re proficient in. By sharing specific measurable data, the applicant has also explained how their work has impacted the company’s business relationships.

How to quantify the impact on your resume

While we’re on the topic of data, let’s discuss why numbers in your resume  matter.

Including measurable data in your resume is important as it provides much-needed context to properly describe your work performance. Without numbers, achievements may seem less significant. Always add data to support your accomplishments effectively wherever possible.

Here are some ways to reference numbers on your grad school resume:

• Include your GPA : This quantifiable data demonstrates academic excellence and shows commitment to your studies.
• Mention the scholarships or grants received : It not only highlights achievement but also shows your financial management skills.
• List quantifiable results of any organizational initiatives : This shows your ability to create an impact in a business context.
• Exceptional test scores : If you've taken business-related exams, the results can prove your proficiency in business concepts.
• Number of internships completed : This shows your proactive efforts to gain real-world business experience, which is important to recruiters.
• Meticulously detail your involvement in business projects : In addition to showcasing your hands-on experience, this highlights your business acumen and strategic planning skills.
• Specify budgets you’ve managed : This gives a sense of your financial management skills, crucial in business roles.
• Quantify your leadership roles : Detailing the number of individuals you led or projects you managed highlights your leadership and team management skills.

The work you do early will help you have a really polished piece of work to put forward. We get a ton of applications every year. The ones that are polished get a better review than others.

Bill Mahoney, Associate Dean for Student and Postdoctoral Affairs at the University of Washington’s graduate school

How do I write a grad school resume with no experience?

If you’re applying directly after completing your undergraduate course, building a grad school resume without work experience  can be difficult.

But don’t lose hope yet!

Corporate experience isn't the only way to demonstrate your expertise. Focus your resume on scholarly accomplishments and relevant knowledge. Admissions officers look for excellent project management skills, financial responsibility, and the ability to fully benefit from the program.

After all, higher education institutions are very competitive when it comes to research, innovation, and development. Consequently, their reputation is on the line.

So, before you start crafting your resume, research the respective institution’s faculty to determine its:

• Current academic focus and mission
• Ongoing projects, including funding and sponsors.
• Missed research opportunities.

Then, align your expertise and skills with the findings of your research. Here are some ideas on what type of experience you can add:

• Internships:  Even if most of what you’ve done during your internship is shadowing other professionals, adding such experience to your resume demonstrates you have a realistic view of current industry issues and trends.
• Volunteering on relevant projects: Based on your field of choice, volunteering can be a good way to showcase your dedication to your profession.
• Cross-institutional programs and year abroad experience: These underscore your ability to work with diverse teams and handle complex projects that often have large budgets and strict time constrictions.
• Additional training and certifications: Detail qualifications you’ve acquired outside formal education. This type of training won’t only stress your active involvement with your respective industry but also point to the type of professional specialization you’re seeking.

Also, hold on to your strongest pieces of writing and share them with a professor you might ask for a recommendation letter. Tell the professor you’d like to use this piece of writing as part of your grad school application and ask them what you should work on to make it better. Faculty can give great advice.

Celia Marshik, Dean of the graduate school at Stony Brook University—SUNY

Another small and frequently overlooked segment on a grad school resume is the skills section . Many candidates who don’t have much prior practical experience tend to overfill their skills section in an attempt to match all of the course requirements.

However, this approach is both obvious and ineffective. The main reason for this is that in most cases the crammed skills section doesn’t match the experience and expertise described in the rest of the resume. So, to avoid falling into this trap, let’s review how skills are usually categorized.

Hard vs soft skills

Irrespective of the industry or the academic field, there are generally two types of competencies - technical  and social skills.

The first type, also known as hard skills , covers field-specific abilities, such as business principles, understanding of data science algorithms, or operating production equipment. What you add to your grad school resume will vary based on which abilities are considered as core skills  within your field.

Conversely, the second represents the candidate’s level of emotional intelligence. That’s why they are also called soft skills . These include skills, such as empathy, problem-solving, and leadership abilities.

As you can see, you can add many skills and overcrowd the section as a result. That’s why you must apply a little strategy when building your resume. To get noticed by the admissions office, you have to:

• Review the graduate program requirements
• Go over your resume to verify which skills you’ve already covered in other segments, such as the experience and education sections
• Make a note of the abilities you haven’t covered yet.
• Add no more than 10 competencies.

Faculty committee members prefer candidates with a well-rounded profile as being a graduate student means you must have a strong subject matter foundation, and the social skills to collaborate with peers and present research insights.

Many PhD students use ImaginePhD  and myIDP  to match their skills to a suitable career path. However, if you have plenty of practical experience, but don’t know how to relate your work history to the course requirements, you can use the tools inversely.

Below you’ll find further suggestions and ideas on skills you can add to your resume:

Best hard skills for your grad school resume

• Research analysis
• Data interpretation
• Statistical analysis
• Project management
• Data visualization
• Machine learning
• Academic writing
• R programming
• Experimental design
• Qualitative research methods
• Biostatistics
• Lab techniques
• Public speaking
• Grant writing

Best soft skills for your grad school resume

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Conflict resolution
• Emotional intelligence
• Active listening
• Negotiation
• Interpersonal skills
• Decision making
• Positive attitude
• Self-discipline
• Cultural sensitivity

Next, we’ll look at what makes an excellent education section and how you can build yours to stand out!

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

Taking into account the purpose of the application, describing your academic background in detail is pivotal. Oftentimes university programs overlap, however, the more you delve into specializing in a certain field, the more the courses will differ. As such, the admissions office must verify that you have the necessary foundation to enroll in the program.

Formal education

First, we’ll take a look at how to properly frame your education section :

• State the name of your degree and the issuing institution.
• Provide the start and end date of your studies by listing the month and year. If you’re yet to complete your degree , cite the date you expect to graduate.
• Indicate your GPA , if it’s above 3.5 to demonstrate your dedication to your field and your great academic skills.
• Mention one or two pieces of coursework  that directly relate to the specialization you wish to pursue.
• Reference relevant majors and minors  that align with the grad course’s subject matter.
• Disclose any academic recognition, such as being listed on the Dean’s list  or graduating cum laude .

Use the following example as a reference when building your education section:

• • Published a paper on Reviewing Predictive Modeling in Healthcare: Data Mining, Patient Privacy, and Ethics in World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews.
• • Majored in Database Management, Predictive Modelling, and Data Mining Ethics.

Depending on your field of choice, you may need to provide further proof of training as some undergraduate courses provide only a very limited foundational knowledge on which students are encouraged to build on their own.

Certificates

By showcasing your certifications on your resume , admission office members will get a better idea of what your particular academic interest is. In addition, it’ll help them to determine whether the offered course is a good fit for the career plans you’ve outlined in your resume.

All you have to do to list your certificates is:

• Cite the qualifications you’ve obtained
• Name the accrediting institution.
• State the date you acquired the certificate and the expiration date if applicable..

Below you’ll find the current most popular certifications among grad school students.

Best certifications for your grad school resume

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The final segment for a grad school application is the resume profile . This is a short paragraph underneath the resume header that highlights your core skills and top career achievements.

There are two types of profiles depending on the amount of practical experience you have in the respective industry or academic field. They are:

• Resume objective :  This type is best used by recent college grads and career changers . It aims to align the candidate’s current skill set and accomplishments with the institution’s mission and ongoing projects. Applicants must state what they seek to gain from the course and how they plan to progress further in their careers.
• Resume summary :  By contrast, the summary is more appropriate for tenured professionals who seek to expand their expertise by pursuing an additional academic specialization. Their profile focuses on explaining how the offered course will benefit their career and how they’ll apply the knowledge after completing the program. Candidates should emphasize one or two pertinent career achievements, as well as the abilities they want to add to their current skill set.

Let’s illustrate with a few examples.

Have a look at the poor attempt below:

This resume objective won’t draw the attention of faculty committee members because they don’t mention any significant accomplishments after a year of being a Data Science Intern. It also doesn’t explain how the listed skills have been applied in practice.

Plus, the candidate uses first-person pronouns  which may make them look conceited and egocentric. Instead, the applicant should omit the pronouns and use a first-person narrative style to make the paragraph easier to read.

To illustrate, consider the following grad school resume objective:

Now, have a look at the following resume summary. Do you think the candidate will get noticed for the right reasons?

In this case, the grad school graduate is a tenured specialist. However, nothing in the resume profile supports their claims, apart from the names of notable companies within the industry. Moreover, the applicant mentions a few of their hard skills, but none are linked to pertinent career accomplishments.

Last but not least, the paragraph includes several abbreviations. Given that the application will be reviewed by admission officers responsible for managing hundreds of courses, they may not be familiar with every single qualification. That’s why you should write out the full name of your credentials.

Here’s an enhanced version of the grad school resume summary from above:

If you feel your application isn’t as comprehensive as it could be, you can always supplement your grad school resume with extra sections. But remember to do so only if you have sufficient space to properly present the information without overcrowding your application.

These should cover information that doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of the other sections but offers a better overview of your skills and expertise.

What extra segments you add will depend on your experience. Some of them include:

• Research papers and publications :   If you’ve done extensive research on a course-relevant topic and have authored a few papers, build a short bibliography of your work with links to each of your projects . These will demonstrate your academic focus and the depth of your subject matter expertise.  
• Memberships in relevant associations and research institutions : Showcasing active involvement with respective academic and corporate communities emphasizes your knowledge of current trends, as well as your ability to network.
• Contributions to open source projects: If you’re striving for a placement in Software Engineering or Data Science, this can underscore your ability to write documentation, support complex projects, and work cross-functionally.
• Language skills : These are crucial in both academic and corporate settings—especially if you’re pursuing a social sciences or a language-related career.  

In summary, to build an effective and outstanding grad school resume, you must:

• Choose a suitable resume format that best reflects your expertise and skill set.
• Remember to link your portfolio in the resume header.
• Be selective about past roles you recount and arrange them in reverse chronological order.
• Quantify your achievements to highlight the significance of your contributions to your respective academic field.
• Place an emphasis on your education and certification section by providing a more detailed overview of your research, publications, and presentations.
• Craft a strong resume profile that aligns with the institution’s mission and ongoing projects.
• Limit your application to a single page and reserve any additional information for your grad school cover letter.

Looking to build your own Grad School resume?

• Resume Examples

How to List Expected Graduation Date on Your Resume

Overqualified for a job tips to overcome this hurdle, how to do your references on resume: is it important, how to list work experience on your resume – a guide with examples, solutions architect interview questions, should you use first person in a resume – a quick guide.

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• 7 Simple Tips for Writing a Compelling Grad School Resume

So, you’re preparing to apply to graduate school. There’s lots to do, like ordering transcripts, taking any necessary exams, writing a statement of purpose and asking for letters of recommendation.

But there’s one more item you shouldn’t overlook: writing your graduate school resume.

Wait … what?

Yes, you generally need to submit a resume with your grad school application. A grad school resume is similar to a standard professional resume, but it has a specific focus: how your previous education and experience have prepared you to undertake advanced study. And like a professional resume, it should tell a compelling story about you.

How do you go about writing a standout grad school resume? We asked two admissions experts from the University of Washington for their top tips. Here’s what they shared.

1. Put Your Education First

Resume Template

How should you organize your grad school resume? Check out this template for one layout example.

Because the specific objective of this document is to get admitted to graduate school, you should list your education on the first page. This section should prominently include details like:

• Undergraduate degree and major (including the school you graduated from)
• Your undergraduate GPA
• Other degrees or certificates you’ve earned

You can also include academic awards and roles with campus organizations here. Or, if you have enough of these, they might warrant their own section (see tips 3 and 4).

It’s also valuable to include info about courses you’ve taken that are related to the degree program you’re applying for. (Here’s an example of a place where you might tailor your resume to fit the exact program you’re applying to.)

“The resume is a great place to showcase courses that meet prerequisites for the program,” says Crystal Galván, a graduate adviser in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences at UW Bothell. “Even though you’ll also submit your academic transcripts, you can use the education section of your resume to highlight particularly relevant courses.”

2. Show all your work

The admissions committee wants to see the evolution of your career and get a full sense of who you are, so go ahead and include your entire professional work history — even if it stretches the document to two or three pages.

“More is better on the grad school resume,” says Randell Hernandez, director of admissions for the Executive Master of Business Administration at the UW Foster School of Business. “In the Executive MBA program, for example, we’re looking to understand the totality of an applicant’s experience — to get a sense of your career growth and the impact you’ve had in different roles.”

For someone applying to an MBA program, for example, that means including specific details about leadership or management responsibilities in each role. It also means quantifying the impact you had (e.g., “Led department to 20% increase in sales year-over-year”). If you’re applying to law school, you’ll want to emphasize any experience that relates to the legal field. And so on.

3. Don’t Forget Research Projects and/or Fieldwork

Any research experience — including capstone or research projects you are or were involved in — is important to include [on your resume]. — Crystal Galván, graduate adviser, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences at UW Bothell

“Any research experience — including capstone or research projects you are or were involved in — is important to include,” according to Galván. “This demonstrates your engagement with academia, and that you’re up-to-date with research in the field. If you’ve hosted community workshops or presented at any academic conferences, be sure to include those as well.”

Did you win any academic awards? Be sure to include those, either in the Education section (noted above), in this section or in a separate section (if you have more than one).

Your research experience can be listed in its own section on your resume. This allows it to stand out and makes it easier for admissions readers to find.

4. Unpaid work counts too

Remember that a prospective graduate program will value all your experience, not just what you were paid for. Internships and volunteer roles (both on and off campus) help illustrate what you're passionate about and how you took the initiative to make a difference in your profession or community.

“We appreciate leadership experience in all areas, including professional associations, civic groups, etc.,” Hernandez says. “Recruiting and motivating a group of volunteers requires next-level abilities that can directly apply to an MBA student’s ‘day job.’ And these commitments also offer a window into a candidate’s humanity.”

This content can be placed in its own section (possible header: “Leadership and Extracurricular Activities”). It should be located below your professional experience.

5. Write clearly and proofread carefully

Nothing spoils a first impression like typos and grammatical errors in a resume. If this isn’t your strong suit, have a friend who’s good with words read it over for you. Many times, fresh eyes can catch things that you miss.

Also, it’s possible that you use a lot of cool abbreviations and insider terms in your field. Those should be left out of (or spelled out on) your grad-school resume.

“I see a lot of acronyms in applications, especially from people coming from the tech field or the military,” Hernandez says. “Remember that you’re giving this to an admissions reader who may know little or nothing about your particular job function or industry. It’s important to use terminology that people outside your field would understand.”

6. Link to your LinkedIn

The world often judges us by our online presence, and grad school reviewers are no different.

“It’s natural to want to Google someone, so it’s a good idea to include a LinkedIn profile link on your resume,” Galván says. “LinkedIn is a great way for applicants to illustrate their expertise, professional experience, skills and education — beyond the resume.”

7. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

When in doubt, reach out! The advisers and other staff at the graduate schools you’re interested in are there to answer your questions about the application process.

“People do themselves a disservice sometimes by not seeking guidance from the graduate program about what their resume should include,” Hernandez says. “Most of our MBA programs at the Foster School offer application workshops, which include detailed guidance about resumes. We also supply that content on our website .”

Want to discover more helpful content about grad school? Check out our go-to guide for applying to graduate school for links to additional articles.

• Graduate School

For more career tips and industry trends,  visit the News & Features section  of our website, and subscribe to our email list. To learn more about UW Professional & Continuing Education certificates, specializations, degrees and courses,  explore your options  or contact us .

David Hirning

David Hirning is an accomplished writer and editor with extensive experience in both tech and higher education. He began his career in journalism, then spent over a decade as an editor at Microsoft, where he worked on Encarta Encyclopedia and related reference products.

David worked for six years as a full-time writer and content manager at UW Professional & Continuing Education. He also operated his own editorial consulting business, with stints at leading companies like Amazon and Expedia, and taught English for two years in Costa Rica.

David has served as an instructor for the UW Certificate in Editing program and as a teaching assistant for the UW Certificate in Storytelling & Content Strategy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Stanford University and a Certificate in Literary Fiction from the UW.

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How To Write A Graduate School Resume (With Examples)

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Although resumes are often associated with pursuits in a career, you’ll also need one when applying to graduate school. A graduate school resume will serve a similar function as a professional one, which is to catch the reader’s attention as a promising candidate.

Learning how to write an effective and concise graduate school resume is a crucial part of the higher education application process.

Key Takeaways:

Graduate school resumes are used to evaluate candidates and is similar to both an undergraduate application and a professional resume.

The education section, relevant coursework, and relevant experience are crucial parts of the graduate school resume.

Accomplishments and achievements from experiences should precede responsibilities.

Use concise language and tailor your resume to the specific program for application.

A graduate school resume should be one page long.

What Is a Graduate School Resume?

How to write a graduate school resume in 6 steps, tips for a successful graduate school resume, template for a graduate school resume.

Example of a Graduate School Resume

Graduate School Resume vs. CV

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A graduate school resume is a brief and organized description of an applicant’s background, skills, education, and any other aspects that would make them qualified for admission. It’s submitted along with an application to provide all the information that an admissions committee will need in contained space.

Graduate school resumes are used to evaluate many potential candidates easier by establishing a bullet-point list of their characteristics.

Including a graduate school resume in your application package illustrates who you are, what your experience is, and why you should be submitted to the program neatly on a single page .

Writing a graduate school resume can be confusing for many people; should it be more similar to a school application or a professional resume? The perhaps unsatisfying answer is that it is a bit of both.

Complete the following steps to create a graduate school resume containing information needed for admissions while being in a resume format:

Think about formatting. Although most resumes have typical structure guidelines, there’s still room for creativity in formatting a graduate school resume. There are some formatting rules you should adhere to, such as keeping your graduate resume about a page long and making your contact details boldly noticeable.

Pay attention to the education section . Since the point of submitting a graduate school resume is to be admitted to an educational program, there should be a clear focus on your prior academics.

Unlike a professional resume, which focuses primarily on career experience, a resume for graduate school should speak about the candidate’s educational background first and foremost.

Include information such as your:

School Name

Grade Point Average (GPA) (Only if 3.5+)

Field of Study

Dates of Attendance

Extracurriculars, Clubs, or Groups (if relevant)

Awards and Acknowledgment

Test Scores (If Applicable)

Include relevant coursework. Relevant coursework might come under your education section or your experience section, depending on which part needs more love. In any case, you’ll want to include the specifics of the classes you’ve taken so that admissions boards know that you’ve got the prerequisite training required to excel in your program.

List relevant work experience. Your prior experience in jobs shouldn’t be the center of attention in your graduate school resume.

However, positions related to the program you’re applying for should be included in your resume. Internships and volunteer experience that can be applied to the program’s field of study can also be helpful in a graduate school resume.

Include notable accomplishments. A graduate school resume is an appropriate place to keep a running tally of your achievements because you want to impress an admissions team. While you can make a dedicated “accomplishments” section, we recommend tactfully weaving achivements throughout your resume’s sections.

Your resume summary statement is a good place to include one, eye-catching accomplishment. And your undergraduate education probably involved some big project or thesis if you’re keen enough on the subject to continue onto graduate school, so that’s at least one major accomplishment for your education section.

Achievements from internships or even minor jobs should always precede boring job responsibilities.

“Answered emails” and “made spreadsheets” don’t exactly pop off the page, but “Responded to 20+ customer queries each day” or “Developed Cloud-based spreadsheet for interdepartment project planning and budgeting” sound a lot better — even if they describe the same jobs and tasks.

Skills and certifications. Including a skills section in a graduate school is recommended if you have the chops to back it up. You should stick to mentioning hard skills in a graduate resume that apply to the field of study you’re hoping to pursue.

This area of your graduate school resume can also be used to mention any certifications you’ve received outside of formal education.

Examples of possible skills and certifications to include on a graduate school resume include:

Fluency in a programming language

Experience in particular computer systems or applications

Speaking a second language

A technical skills training program

An online or in-person certificate in a specific field, like digital marketing or agile management

Tailor your resume to the program you’re applying for. When top applicants apply for new jobs, they go back to their resume and make edits to optimize it for the position they’re hoping to land . Successful graduate school applicants do the same. Every graduate program emphasizes different skills and experiences.

It’s okay to speak highly of your accomplishments. Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of speaking freely on all their outstanding accomplishments because they worry it makes them out to be conceited .

While you should maintain a humble attitude when discussing your achievements (especially in interviews), it’s recommended to get into the nitty-gritty of what you’ve done well in the past in a resume.

Use crisp, concise language. Start your bullet points with strong action verbs. Never include the words “I, me, my, or mine” in your resume. Use as few words as possible and embrace white space.

Include both hard and soft skills. There are probably some hard skills that the program you’re applying for requires, depending on the field of study. Besides listing the hard skills that you have, include soft skills that apply to your personality and work ethic.

Soft skills describe who a candidate is beyond their accomplishments or technical skills . An admissions team will use soft skills to assess if you’re the kind of student they want in their program.

Be honest about your experience and skills. Although it’s essential to catch an admissions counselor ’s attention with your resume, the information you include needs to be true. Bending the truth eventually becomes evident to experienced admissions professionals.

Proofread. Once you’ve finished writing a graduate school resume, the final thing to do is proofread it. Careless spelling and grammatical errors will turn off an admissions counselor reading your resume because it will portray you as sloppy or lazy.

You understand what information should be included on a graduate school resume. Now you use a template to structure the information properly.

Below is a template to guide you through creating your own graduate school resume.

First and Last Name City, State | Phone Number | Email Address | Social Media or Website Resume Summary Statement (Do not label your resume summary statement — just write it) A few sentences outlining what your graduate school resume will go on to say and what your goals for the future are. Education School Name , Degree Title, and Major Graduation Date Grade Point Average (GPA) (If 3.5+) Areas of Study Prior Research Awards, accomplishments, and acknowledgments Extracurricular activities and clubs (repeat if you have multiple schoools) Professional Experience Job Title Company Name, City, State Dates Employed One major achievement with numbers Job responsibility with mention of your impact on results More achievements (repeat for multiple jobs, internships, and volunteer experiences) Relevant Skills list 4-8 skills Give more hard skills than soft skills Additional Section (this section can be dedicated to certifications, volunteer experience, language fluency, independent projects, publications, or another optional resume section)

Aaron Blakely Denver, CO | (753)-585-5866 | [email protected]| LinkedIn.com/AaronBlakely A devoted and creative recent graduate from the University Of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and former research experience. Seeking higher education with the University of Washington’s computer science graduate program. Education The University Of Denver , B.S. in Computer Science 2020 3.9 GPA Studied computer science with a minor in creative coding Conducted research into biotechnology and virtual reality (VR) Achieved the Dean’s List all four years of college Vice President of the computer coding club Professional Experience Computer Coding Student Intern Larson’s Technology, Denver, CO 2017-2018 Created a process workflow that reduced average project turnaround time by 12% Helped mid-level developers write and debug code for client websites of over 1 million monthly visitors Reviewed engineers code and tested software patches before roll-out Sales Associate and Tech Help Desk Attendant Best Bet Computer Repair, Denver, CO 2012-2017 summers Served an average of 40 customers each day, aiding in selection of electronic goods Won employee of the month in June 2015 Received an an average customer review rating of 4.89/5 at tech help desk Scholarships 2016-2020 Outstanding Student Scholarship Awarded for academic accomplishment and community involvement The amount of $40,000 over four years of undergraduate education Relevant Skills Java HTML MS Office Suites Windows Mac OS X Communication Problem-solving Dependability Creativity Resourcefulness Certifications 2018 HTML Fluency Course, HTML programming language A 12-week course outlining the basics of HTML language Accompanied by assignments, six tests, and a final exam HTML basic fluency achieved

While this article focuses on graduate school resumes , it is important to note that some graduate schools might request a curriculum vitae, or CV, instead.

Graduate school resumes and CVs share a lot of similarities. They both act as documents to highlight an applicant’s qualifications, experiences, and contact information as part of an application process.

However, there are noticeable differences with CVs. These include:

Length. CVs tend to be two or more pages long. They are designed to provide an in-depth profile of your qualifications and achievements.

Purpose. CVs tend to focus on academic and research experience, as well as accomplishments such as fellowships, academic positions, and scholarships.

Content. CVs are more detailed. They cover a complete academic history of the applicant.

Audience. Academic and research heavy programs tend to request CVs because they want to see your abilities in these fields. This can include social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities programs.

As you can see, a CV has significant differences, which means you need to make sure whether you should send a resume or a CV. Luckily, most applications will specify which one they want to see.

However, if you ever have any questions, reach out to the graduate school program for clarification.

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Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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How to write a resume for grad school?

[ Click here to directly go to the complete Grad school resume sample ]

The first hurdle you encounter when you start applying for a grad school is that they all require you to submit a resume for grad school application.

But hold on!

You don't have any idea how to make a resume for grad school!

You don't know what the differences are between a graduate school resume and a professional resume.

These questions can make it really difficult for you to write a resume for grad school.

But don't worry! Writing a graduate school resume is not that difficult.

In this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about writing a resume for grad school.

Here's a summary of the blog:

• Why do you need a resume for grad school
• How graduate school resume is different from other resumes
• What admission committee look for in a grad school resume
• What are the characteristics of a resume for grad school application

Things to include in your graduate school resume

Why do you need a resume for grad school.

[ Back to Table of Content ]

"I'm not applying for a job! Why do I have to create a resume for grad school application?"

This question might come to your mind when you are filling up your grad school application. Ideally, resumes are not only for jobs. Its primary function is to give a brief introduction to your professional or academic background.

Your resume objective for grad school is the same. It helps the school committee understand your academic qualifications.

Grad schools get a lot of student applications each year. They try to sort those applications and select the candidates who are most suitable for the curriculum.

And, graduate school resumes are the best way for candidates to showcase their interests and stand out among other applicants.

In the next part, we will walk you through the things you need to include in your resume for grad school application to get in front of the competition.

Sample grad school resume

To help you understand how a grad school resume looks, we have included a grad school resume sample for you.

• Conducted primary research to interview 30 + branch managers of various banks & created a report based on the results
• Identified the prevalent lack of knowledge on the topic of mutual funds in the hills of Alabama
• Recommended that Apple Records Sales Representatives conduct presentations in branches to spread knowledge
• Gained proficiency in the domain of Foreign Exchange in concepts such as currency risk , forwards , and options
• Liaised with accounts payable , treasury and payroll teams, and worked on OCS data migration
• Conducted verification of disbursements , overtime claims , insurance details, vouchers and cheques
• Successfully completed multiple internal audits at the firm
• Rendered assistance in administering the authentication of multiple payments including Foreign Exchange Payments
• Carried out all allocated tasks within the stipulated timeline & with zero errors
• Successfully ensured ZERO error rates by 100% control adherence and focus on accuracy
• Built and maintained cordial relationships with interns from Operations as well as the Front Office
• Conducted regression tests on the data to test the validity of the CAPM model
• Carried out Literature Review of CAPM and discussed the extensions of the model in the project
• Concluded the following after completing the entire research:
• The model succeeded in explaining the linear relationship between risk and return but failed in explaining risk completely
• Due to certain sources of error , complete accuracy of the study’s results could not be established
• Computed the Cost of Capital and Net Present Value (NPV) of Valkyrecords
• Calculated the NPV of Valkyrecords as positive to conclude that:
• Long term projects were expected to produce more income than what could be gained by earning discount rate
• The company should go ahead with the project
• Participated as a team member in Blizzart Half Marathon Feb ' 17
• Participated as a team member in Inter-college Volleyball Match '16
• Languages : English and Spanish

Feel free to use the sample to understand the structure of your grad school resume.

If you want to create your grad school resume, go to Online Resume Builder and create one for yourself, or you pick one from our pre-built resume templates.

How does a graduate school resume differ from professional resumes?

Graduate school resumes are similar to professional resumes, but there are many fundamental differences between them. You can not use the same elements of a professional resume in a grad school resume.

Here are a couple of ways a resume for grad school differ from a professional resume:

No strict length restriction

Professional resumes generally stretch between one to two pages. But a grad school resume can extend beyond two pages. This gives the student more space to include their academic achievements and other experiences.

That doesn't mean you can write a novel in your resume. It's still preferable to wrap up your resume within two pages. But it's nice to have the option to add more pages if needed.

Detailed education details

When you're applying for a grad school, you don't have much work experience to show for. So it makes sense to focus on your educational details more.

For example, your graduate school resume should include your GPA, projects, any thesis you've written, any paper you've published, any classes you've taken relevant to your grad school application, etc.

Some grad schools specifically tell what information they need in the graduate school resume to make things easier. Even if they don't, it's a good practice to include detailed academic achievements in your resume.

Importance of internship and volunteer experience

Professional resumes give importance to the past work experience of the candidate. But since grad school applicants don't have full-time work experience, grad schools prioritize candidates' internship and volunteer experience in the graduate school resume.

So, don't shy away from adding all your volunteer and internship experience into your resume.

What admission committee looks for in a grad school resume?

Grad school admission committee gets thousands of applications every year. And they want to make sure they are selecting the right candidate who will be an excellent fit for the grad school program or curriculum.

So, make sure that your resume stands out from thousands of other graduate school resumes.

Here are some characteristics of a standout graduate school resume:

Tailor your resume to the specific program

Add the academic achievements and skills that are important for the program you're applying for. That will give you a higher chance of getting selected for grad school.

Mention your academic details

A rule of thumb for your resume for grad school is to include a detailed academic overview in it. Include your GPA, any academic award you've achieved, or even coursework you've done.

This shows you've been serious with your studies and likely to work hard for your grad school studies as well.

Include internships and volunteer works

If you have a decent internship and volunteer work experience in your resume, it shows the admission committee that you are determined and a hard-working person.

So, don't be afraid to put even the smallest of your internship and volunteer work experience on your grad school resume.

Include your grants or award

If you have received any awards in your undergraduate school or written any grant proposals, include these in your grad school resume.

It looks impressive on your resume and increases your chances of getting selected for grad school.

Make the resume easy to follow

If you search online, you'll see thousands of designed graduate school resume templates available. But often, these designed resume formats are confusing and difficult to read.

Grad school admission committees have to go through hundreds of resumes every day. And they prefer simple formatted resumes that they can understand easily.

So, make sure your resume is well-structured and easy to read.

Format your resume professionally

Do not go for a creative template for your grad school resume. Instead, use a professional resume style. Here are some points for resume format:

• Use sans serif fonts
• Make font size between 10-12 points
• Leave minimum 1-inch margins on all sides
• Use bolded headlines, bullet points to highlight important information

Read this resume format guide to learn more.

Use powerful verbs

Strong verbs get the reader's attention. So, use strong verbs to demonstrate your academic and work experience.

For example, use "Assisted in inventory management for university library" instead of using "worked as an inventory manager in the university library."

Here is a list of power verbs you can use in your resume.

Make sure your resume flows logically

A well-organized resume is easier to read. The grad school admissions committee wants to see that you are organized and know how to present information logically.

Use the reverse chronological resume format to write your information on the resume for grad school. For example, when you give your education information, put the most recent on top, and go in descending order from top to bottom.

There are no definite guides online to show students what to include in a resume for grad school application.

To be honest, there is no single best way to write your graduate school resume. But, there are simple structures that need to be followed. Here is a list of things that you should include in your resume for grad school:

• Personal information- name address, phone number

Resume objective

• Research Experience
• Teaching Experience

Internships

• Volunteer Work experience
• Honors & Awards
• Professional Affiliations
• Academic Publications
• Memberships
• Skills & Abilities
• Community Involvement

Extracurricular activities

• Educational Travel

Note : Do not try to use all these sections on your graduate school resume. Use the ones that are relevant to the program you are applying for. The most important thing is to keep everything clear and concise.

Personal information

Personal information is a standard for resumes. It goes on top of your grad school resume. However, make sure you add just the right amount of information, not too overly personal information on this section, i.e., date of birth, gender, etc.

Here's what you must include in your grad school resume personal information:

• Email address
• Mailing address
• Contact number
• Linkedin profile link

Here are some tips for nailing your personal information on resume for grad school:

• Make sure to use a decent email address with your name on it, i.e. [email protected] , not [email protected]
• Give your personal mobile number than the home telephone number
• Make sure to optimize your Linkedin profile and keep everything up-to-date

Use Hiration's LinkedIn Profile Review to prepare your Linkedin profile for graduate school application.

A suitable resume object will help to grab the committee's attention and convince them that you are the right candidate for their program.

The resume objective for grad school should not be more than two or three sentences and focuses majorly on your academic achievement and future goal rather than any specific skills.

Things to include in resume objective:

• Undergraduate degree
• Internship/volunteer experience
• Admission goal

*Undergraduate computer science student (3.95 GPA) with six months software engineer internship experience with AT&T Labs. Seeking admission into Cornell University for a master's in computer science program. *

This is the most important section for your resume for grad school application. It gives the admission committee a clear picture of your academic career and performance.

So put a reasonable effort in writing the education section on your grad school resume, and write it in reverse chronological order.

Here's what you should include in your education qualification:

• Degrees you've achieved
• School/college name with state
• Graduation date (year)
• GPA you scored
• Awards and honors you've achieved

Note : High school degrees are irrelevant for a grad school resume. You can choose not to include it on your resume.

Here's an example of the education section on grad school resume:

Education Major in Mathematics (B.S) UCLA, Los Angeles, California Graduation:2019 GPA: 3.8/4.00 Honors: Magna cum laude

Research and teaching experience

Once you're done with the education section, the next section should address your work experiences. This section can be broken down into research experience, teaching experience, internships, and volunteer work.

Make sure the information you are adding is relevant to the program you are applying for.

Example of research experience :

Research Assistant May 2018- April 2019 Assisted Dr. G. Regts in his research paper "Weighted counting of solutions to sparse systems of equations."

Example of teaching experience :

Laboratory Teacher Assistant UCLA, Los Angeles, California March 2018- May 2019 Assisted and instructed 40 undergrads in organic chemistry laboratory Prepare chemical solutions for experiments before each class Maintained chemistry laboratory equipment

Don't have many academic achievements or experiences?

Don't worry! You might have internships or volunteer work experience under your belt worth sharing. It shows that you are hard-working and have the dedication to complete the master's program.

Here's what your internship section should look like:

Internships example :

Software Engineer Intern AT&T Labs, Manhattan, New York March 2017- September 2017 Developed software for clients Assisted in testing new software for clients Collaborated with beta testers and improved existing software

Your volunteer experience addresses your commitment towards society and also addresses your skills.

Here's what your volunteer experience section should look like:

Volunteer experience Example :

Volunteer Teacher XYZ Volunteer Teacher Program, California June 2018- May 2019 Manages a class of 40 students taught English, Mathematics, and Science

Honors, awards, or grants

Having a study grant, scholarship, or teaching assistantship is an incredible achievement in your academic career. And it looks impressive on a resume for grad school application.

You can arrange this section by importance. That means the most important achievement goes first, followed by the rest of the achievements.

Make sure you don't repeat the same honors and awards mentioned in the education section. Also, make sure to add the award name, providing organization, and date of receiving on the graduate school resume.

Grants Alan Moore Memorial Scholarship, University of Prince Edward Island, 2018 Honors & awards Dean’s list for 2018 & 2019, UCLA, California

Affiliations & memberships

If you are a part of any affiliated professional body or a member of any professional group, you can add it to your resume for graduate school. Make sure to include:

• Name of the organization
• City and state
• Affiliation/membership timeline

Note : Only include the membership you are currently part of—no need to include past memberships or affiliations.

Academic publications

Have you published any article, paper, or book anywhere? If you have, add those to your resume.

Note : Ask your prospective graduate school for the correct citation format to follow. Also, bold your name to put emphasis on it.

Here is an example of the Publication section on your grad school resume:

Publications 2019, John S , Trever C., "Optofluidics: Basics, Devices, and Applications" University of California Press. March 2019.

If it's possible, include a couple of references on your resume for graduate school. If you've already included your references on the grad school application, no need to add them to the resume. Here are things to include in the reference section:

• Reference name
• Their professional designation
• Their contact information

Example of reference section on grad school resume:

References Alan Finch Professor, Department of Physics University of California [email protected] (416)234-2343

Skills & abilities

Through your undergraduate degree, internships, volunteer works, you have developed a lot of useful skills. Use the skills and abilities section on your resume to highlight those skills that are relevant to your graduate school application.

However, the importance of certain skills depends on the program you are applying for.

For example, if you apply for a master's in mathematics, your coding skills will not be relevant to the program. Keep that in mind, when adding your skills to the resume.

Add the most relevant skills at first and least relevant skills at last.

Skills & abilities Mathematica Matico lab Ansys Coding language: Java Language: Spanish

Fluency in another language is an impressive addition to a grad school resume. Usually, it's included in the skill section, but if that language is essential for the program you are applying for, highlight it in a separate section.

Leadership experience

If you have worked in any leadership position, add it to your resume. It projects your leadership skills.

Content Lead MBA Insider's blog, UCLA, California May 2017- April 2018 Managed a team of 10 student writers Increased organic traffic by 20% YoY

Grad school does not look for only academic excellence. They want a candidate with broad exposure to different areas. In this extracurricular activities section, you can include various types of activities you have done.

For example, if you are a music player and have been a part of your university music club, you can add it to this section.

Lead Guitarist Music Club of UCLA June 2017- April 2019 Composed songs for UCLA band "Voice of the Moon." Taught guitar to 20+ students

Educational travel

Have you been to another country for educational or research purposes? If so, add that to your resume for grad school application. It shows that you are interested in personal development and have exposure in different cultures.

Things to include:

• Name of the country
• Date of trip
• Purpose of trip

South Africa, June-October,2019 Conducted research for the "Sustainability of Livestock Farming in South Africa" paper.

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, you have got all the answers you needed for your graduate school resume. To sum it up, here are the key takeaways:

• Unlike a professional resume, resume for grad school focus on academic experience more
• Your graduate school resume must be tailored to the graduate program you are applying for
• Use reverse chronological order to format your graduate school resume
• Use a simple format to create resume for grad school
• Do not include overly personal details on your graduate school resume
• Include your research, teaching experience, internship, and volunteer experience to showcase your skills
• Give emphasis on awards, grants, extracurricular activities, publications, etc.

With that, we have come to the end of this blog. If you want to create your graduate school resume, head over to Hiration Online Resume Builder , and get your resume in minutes.

Online Resume Builder

Hiration's Online Resume Builder comes with all of these resources:

• Option to save unlimited resumes
• Full rich-text editor
• 25+ resume designs
• Auto bold feature
• LIVE resume score
• JD-resume matcher
• 100+ pre-filled resume templates
• Unlimited PDF downloads
• A sharable link
• 1-click design change
• Intuitive next text suggestion
• LIVE resume editor

Try our Online Resume Builder and get the perfect resume for grad school application.

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You can get your Linkedin profile reviewed and optimized easily with Hiration.

• Instant Review of LinkedIn profile
• Your LinkedIn profile score
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6 Tips for Perfecting Your Resume for Graduate School Application

Most graduate programs require applicants to send in a variety of documents, including a resume. While you likely have already written several resumes in your adult life, don’t expect to simply dust off your latest version and send it in.

In order to make the best impression on the reviewers who will be reviewing your application, it’s best to start from scratch and customize your resume for the program you’re applying to. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to crafting a solid resume for graduate school.

The difference between a resume and CV for grad school

You might be surprised to learn that “resume” and “curriculum vitae” (or “CV”) are not interchangeable terms in the United States, although in Europe they are often used as synonyms. A resume focuses on your professional and extracurricular experience, whereas a CV focuses on your academic achievements. (Both documents should include contact information, education, work experience, relevant professional skills and language proficiencies.)

A good resume is concise, easily scannable and specific to the job for which you’re applying. The vast majority of graduate school applicants will probably have no trouble getting their resume to fit on one page. A CV, however, goes into far more depth and detail, which means it should be “as long as needed,” since it includes things like research projects, fellowships or grants, teaching experiences, publications, conferences, presentations and references.

How to write a resume for graduate school

Before you sit down to write, take some time to gather all the information you need. It’s imperative that all the dates, names, titles and other data included are accurate. And remember: the best graduate school resume examples are ones that start from scratch and are tailored to the specific program and school to which you’re applying.

If it’s been a few years since you’ve been in school, take some time to refresh your memory on what you achieved during your time as an undergrad. Review your transcripts, papers, publications, essays and projects and take notes on things you want to include. Once you’ve done that, continue on to the first step below.

1. Start with a simple template

Although it may be tempting to try out a creative format in hopes of standing out in the crowd, resist the urge to make your resume overly designed. For the purpose of this document, the content is much more important than fancy graphics or an elaborate layout. Reviewers want to see a resume that’s proofed, easy to read, well-organized and full of relevant information.

You can find a grad school resume template to get yourself started. Microsoft Word offers dozens of options to download for free. Don’t stress if you don’t find one that’s perfect, you can always customize it to accommodate other sections or information as needed. Whichever template you choose, it should include:

• 11- or 12-point font size 
• Bold headlines 
• Bulleted lists 
• A serif font (e.g., Times New Roman, Georgia or Garamond)

2. Craft a clear and compelling objective

Your graduate school resume objective is a short statement at the very beginning of the document that describes what you hope to gain from attending grad school and why you’re qualified to enroll. In just two sentences (or less), you must describe yourself, your strengths and/or relevant work experience, and what you want to accomplish in the program.

An example of a solid resume objective might be:

“An innovative educator with eight years of classroom experience seeking to join the Educational Leadership program in order to develop the skills needed to increase their impact by pursuing a position in school administration.”

3. Write in detail about your previous education

Include all the schools you have attended in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Be sure to list the full name of the institution, city and state, exact title of the major and the degree you earned, and your graduation date. Any impressive test scores, Dean’s list awards or other relevant achievements can also be listed in this section.

4. Highlight work and life experience

Graduate school applicants come from all walks of life. You might have a wealth of professional experience or practically none. Either way, your grad school resume should illustrate how the responsibilities and tasks you’ve taken on in the past make you a good fit for the program.

Be sure to include your current and previous jobs. While you may be tempted to leave off past employment that’s unrelated or may not seem “good enough,” this could backfire and lead to questions about transparency or gaps in a resume.

In addition to employment, you can include things like:

• Internships 
• Extracurriculars 
• Tutoring or mentoring 
• Study abroad experience 
• Professional or academic affiliations/clubs
• Volunteer work (only include longer-term commitments — not one-time events)

In each entry, include two or three bullet points that cover your duties and accomplishments. Be sure to use action verbs and mention specific achievements where possible. For example,   “Responsible for overseeing purchasing team and managing department budget” is much less illustrative than “Supervised six direct report employees on the purchasing team and managed a $200,000 annual budget”.

Pro-tip: Carefully read through the program page and identify important words and phrases. Incorporate these terms throughout your resume, where applicable.

5. Include a list of relevant skills

This section of your graduate school resume is a great opportunity to illustrate your strengths. Don’t forget to mention hard and soft skills, as both are important for  success in graduate school . Make sure they are all relevant to the work you want to accomplish in the program.

Some examples of hard (technical) skills include:

• Mastery of computer programs and software 
• Language proficiency 
• Coding ability  
• Analytics 
• Project management skills 
• Grant writing (or other specific writing tasks)

A few examples of soft (transferable) skills include: 

• Teamwork 
• Conflict resolution 
• Leadership 
• Communication 
• Problem solving 
• Reliability

6. Make sure it’s clean and error-free

One of the biggest mistakes you can make on your resume for grad school is submitting something that contains typos, sloppy formatting or other such errors. This can imply to admissions committees that you are lazy or don’t pay attention to detail. Luckily there are many ways you can avoid this scenario.

Once you’re happy with the content of your resume, run the document through spell check and review it carefully one last time. Then, slowly read the entire document out loud. You’d be surprised at how many mistakes or improvements you’ll discover using this method.

You should also consider asking someone you trust to proofread it for typos that you may have missed. When it comes to an important document like this, having several pairs of eyes on it is a prudent idea.

Pro tip: If you don’t have someone available to proofread your resume, copy and paste text from your document into a program like what is available on Grammarly.com  for a comprehensive and free review of spelling and grammar.

Make a great first impression

Now that you have this actionable advice for creating an impressive resume for graduate school, you can begin working on this important part of the application process. As you continue collecting all of the other necessary materials, you’re likely curious about the financial side of things.

To better understand your options, check out our article “ How to Pay for Grad School: 6 Things to Consider .” 

Curious about what else you need to create a top-notch graduate school application? Review the requirements for Creighton University by visiting our  How to Apply page .

Considering grad school?

Regardless of where you are in your journey, our admissions advisors are ready to help you take the next step.

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Which program are you applying to?

5 tips to improve your graduate school resume and cv, get accepted speak with an admissions expert today, graduate school resume: putting your best foot forward.

Your   grad school resume   is often the piece of your application that the adcoms review first. It’s considered to be a quick introduction and overview of who you are – your accomplishments and strengths – and   how you’ll fit into their program . Because this is a short document, this first impression must be outstanding. 

As important as this document is, most admissions committees will only spend about   15 seconds   reading your graduate school resume! You want your resume to leave them wanting to learn more about you, and therefore want to examine your entire application. 

Here are 5 tips to ensure that your application goes to the top of the pile. 

Tip #1: Know your target program’s mission

Before you start writing your graduate school cv   do your research . Knowing a grad school’s goals and mission is vital to building an effective resume. Understand the kind of students your target program is looking for, and tailor your resume to highlight what in your background is   most relevant   to the program you’re applying to. Everything you write should relate to your goals. Choose experiences and accomplishments that reflect your goals. This will enable the   admissions committee   to see how you will fit in their program.

Check out the website of the program you’re interested in to learn more about the school’s goals and mission. Talk to current students and alumni to see if the vision you have for your education and future are in line with your target program. If possible, take a trip to the school to get a feel for how you will fit in. 

Tip #2: Write your resume as if you’re a corporate marketing professional

Your grad school application may be the   most important   marketing package you ever put together. What product is your resume selling? YOU!

Keep the following two points in mind when honing your marketing message:

• You need to   consider who your target audience is : who will be reading your resume? Will it be a committee? Find out how many people are on the committee and who they are. Do any of them have research interests that are in line with yours? Will it be a graduate program director? Put yourself in their position and look at how your resume compares to the admissions criteria. Know your audience and what will move them to action.
• Take time to make a list of your   professional skills , including leadership positions at your jobs, licenses and/or certifications, job promotions, and committee work. Prioritize this list and place the ones most relevant to the grad program criteria at the top. This will ensure that you highlight the ones that will impress your target audience. Do the same for your academic achievements, research and publications.

How to use the Qualifications Summary in your “sale”

The Qualifications Summary , which is the first paragraph of your resume, can be the most important part of your graduate school resume. Use this to   highlight   the most impressive details in order to make them stand out. This will enable examples of your exceptional impact to get the reader’s attention and invite them to learn more about you. This is a summary of what follows in your graduate school   résumé  and serves as a taste of what’s to come. Use your marketing skills to determine what will truly captivate your reader. This should be a short, succinct paragraph, so choose what to include wisely. Put together the rest of your resume first. Go through it and mentally highlight the accomplishments and details that are most relevant to the program you’re applying to. These are the items to include in your   Qualifications Summary .

Tip #3: Include publications, patents, presentations, honors, relevant volunteer experiences, and professional licenses or certifications in your grad school resume

These   “extras”   can sometimes be the thing that catches the admissions committee’s attention and makes them want to continue studying the rest of your application. If you want to get into certain programs, such as research programs, your prior publications and research experiences are not seen as “extras,” but as integral pieces of your application. 

Use the information you gathered in   Tip #1   to highlight those things that will show how your background is in line with your chosen program’s goals and mission. For example, if community service is important to the program, spotlight the time that you spent volunteering with underprivileged children during your 4 years of undergraduate studies. 

Tip #4: Use your grad school resume to highlight your strengths and explain your weaknesses

Review your application essays/personal statement and look for particular skills, abilities, talents, or experiences that you should reinforce in your grad school cv. Include some highlights from your professional life and the   impact   you had. 

Highlighting your strengths in your CV

Be sure to:

• Use numbers and hard details to show what you’ve been able to accomplish. Don’t say   “project coordinator,”   but rather be more specific and say “Led a 10-person team that increased revenues by 15% and brought in 5 new clients during the fiscal year.” 
• Always ask yourself   how you assisted   the organization and use numbers to demonstrate that impact. 
• Be sure to include something on your graduate school   résumé   that will differentiate you from other applicants and make you stand out from the crowd. 
• Go through your   formal performance   reviews for areas in which your superiors recognized your excellence. “Interview” yourself and create a list of your previous jobs, and your greatest contributions. Put together a personal career folder with recommendations you’ve received and a list of new skills you acquired or comments from satisfied customers. Keep this folder handy when putting your   graduate school resume   together to remind you of areas in which where you shine. 
• Think about the roles you have filled. Did you successfully work in a position traditionally filled by a much older person? Are you one of just a few to move into a   much-desired   role? Have you won more awards than average for your work? Put these items in a Highlights section at the top of your resume. Seeing these first will alert the admissions committee to how special you really are.

Addressing your weaknesses

Most people have made mistakes, been downsized, or just didn’t work to their full potential at all times. You must include these events in your grad school   résumé , but use this opportunity to present them in the best possible light. You will have a chance to   address these negatives more fully   in your essays or interview, but how they’re viewed begins in your resume. 

Above all else, don't lie

Job-hopping, limited experience and even periods of unemployment can be explained in ways that put positive spins on them. It is vitally important NEVER to lie on your application. Besides being unethical, it is potentially self-destructive. Adcoms   will not   tolerate lying, and even a “tiny” lie will stop your application process dead in its tracks. Don’t call yourself “Team Leader” if you were part of a team where everyone had equal rank and responsibility. Padding your   graduate school resume   is not worth being denied admission if you’re found out. And you WILL be found out. 

Tip #5: Make it look good

Your resume should be   no more   than 2 pages in length and should contain NO spelling or grammatical errors. Even seemingly “minor” mistakes can be the end of your application process. Remember, your resume is your first impression. You would not show up to your interview in dirty clothing that needs to be ironed. Spelling or grammatical errors are the spots on your graduate school resume. They make a   terrible   first impression which could be your last. Once you believe your resume is perfect, put it aside and look at it again in a few days. Ask a trusted friend, colleague, or an admissions professional to review your resume. These   “fresh eyes”   may find things that you missed before.

Since this is a short document, your first impulse might be to try and squeeze   as much information as possible   onto those 2 pages. This would be a critical error. Your resume should be neat and well organized, as well as appealing and easy to read. 

Stick to these guidelines to  create an attractive, impactful  grad school resume:

• Edit your resume to reduce fluff and make every word count. Admissions committees are trained to detect padding. Write what you mean, and mean what you write. 
• This is not the place to use a fancy typeface, and your font size should be no smaller than 10 pt to ease reader’s eye strain. 
• Bullets,   bold text , and titles divide your resume into shorter, easier to read sections. You should have   no more   than 4 bullets for each position, and each bullet should be no longer than 2 lines. 
• Be sure to include enough white space on your resume. Skip lines between paragraphs and make your margins no less than around 0.8 inches. Including more white space makes your document easier to read and keeps the admissions officer’s   attention .

Graduate School CV Resources

Your grad school cv will present your most   impressive work   experience, skills, and achievements. It is the first impression that will lead the admissions committee to want to learn more about you. The 5 tips above are just the beginning. This list of resources will teach you how to create a grad school resume that will make a   lasting impression   on the adcom readers.

Top requested graduate school application resources:

Get Accepted!

Learn how to write a well-written, compelling grad school resume when you work one-on-one with an Accepted grad school admissions pro. Your personal advisor will help you   transform   your experiences and accomplishments into a document that grabs the adcom reader’s attention and encourages them to   continue reading   through your application with excitement. Browse our   graduate school resume services   now!