AVAILABLE ON AMAZON: The High School Resume Builder is a simple, easy-to-use and easy-to-update system that can be used throughout high school to keep track of awards, activities, sports, classes, community services hours, goals, etc.  You can buy the entire customizable book, or you can download and print certain sections below.

TIP: Use pencil, and plan ahead by writing down your goals and what you hope to accomplish during the upcoming semesters and years.

Click here to see a more detailed list, separated by specific high school year.

FREE PRINTABLE AVAILABLE:  Using pencil to allow for changes, plan ahead and fill out a high school class map. Start with the core classes, and then fill in with electives and classes that maintains a balance between classes that are challenging and engaging (hopefully both!).

TIP: Be sure to fill out the "Summer" portion too by keeping a running list of ideas (jobs, camps, mission trips, classes, business ideas) that you hear about during the school year.

TIP: This planning chart is included in the High School Resume Builder and is also available for free here.

FREE PRINTABLE AVAILABLE:  Keep a list of possible colleges, and pros/cons of each one. Review this every semester to add or delete. If you are military-affiliated, keep the phone numbers to the Financial Aid Office and the Veterans Office handy. Any questions about in-state tuition, using GI-Bill/Yellow Ribbon/Chapter 35 should be answered directly from the college.

TIP: This chart is included in the High School Resume Builder and is also available for free here.

FREE PRINTABLE AVAILABLE: Keep a list of possible scholarships, due dates and requirements. Review this every semester to add or delete.

Attend Senior Award ceremony the end of your junior year for other scholarship ideas.

Check online scholarship lists, community-based scholarships (PTA, Running Clubs, etc.), and military-affilitated scholarships.

TIP: This chart is included in the High School Resume Builder and is also available for free here.

Look online for a style of student resume that you are excited to create--everyone's will look different. It should include, at a minimum, your name, contact info, statement of your goals, GPA, and major academic/activites/leadership/community service/athletics/hobbies.... What are your proudest accomplishments? Give the reader a snapshot of who YOU are. The resume is fluid and will likely change as time goes on.

FREE PRINTABLE AVAILABLE:  Ask 1-2 teachers at the end of your junior year if they would be willing to write strong letters of recommendation. Follow up the beginning of your senior year to give your teachers plenty of time, and have your LOR packets ready to go (see below).

LOR packets should include:

• A cover letter that explains the college/scholarship for which you are applying, what attributes/awards/activities to be emphasized, and the due date.

• A copy of your Student Resume

• A self-addressed, stamped envelope (if applicable)

TIP: Use a bright-colored folder for your LOR packets. Send them a gentle reminder about 2 weeks before the due date(s).

TIP: ALWAYS send a handwritten thank you note.

TIP: This section is included in the High School Resume Builder and is also available for free here.

Use a single Doc to compose and edit ALL the essays. Cut-and-paste the questions from the applications; finish the essays; and then cut-and-paste the final version into the online application form. Some online forms will not allow you to save your work to return later, and many of the applications have similar questions that just need to be slightly modified on your Google Doc.

Work on the essays during the summer before your senior year, or even earlier for certain schools/scholarships (i.e., Service Academies and ROTC). Ask a favorite English teacher or Counselor if they have time to review the essays and give feedback.

TIP: Referring back to the activities/hobbies/community service/awards/etc. from The High School Resume Builder is an easy way to refresh your memory of events that may be included in the essays.

TIP:  See Johns Hopkins "Essays that Work" for unique insights to why certain applicants' essays stood out to the admissions committee.

Some schools have their own application portals, and most public universities (any many private) use www.commonapp.org, Check the due dates and application requirements (i.e., transcript, essay, interview, application, student resume, letters of recommedation, etc.) for EACH school.

Many states offer a "free application" week to that state's public universities (Virginia's College Application Week will be October 20-24, 2025).

TIP: All due dates for each part of the application should be written down on a calendar, such as the one in The High School Resume Builder.

Whether the transcript is requested via www.parchment.com or through the guidance counselor's office, be sure to request it at least two weeks before it is due.

Some applications, like the Common App, will allow students to self-report their transcript, and other colleges and scholarships will require an official transcript. Spend time in the summer and fall planning ahead and write down the due dates.

Be punctual, follow the dress code, bring copies of your transcript and student resume. Be prepared to ask thoughtful questions during the interview. Always send a hand-written thank you note.

FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state and school-based financial aid. FAFSA usually has two parts: one filled out by a parent, and the other filled out by a student. The portal usually opens in October, and it needs to be completed every year that financial aid is being considered. www.studentaid.gov