How to Write a Grad School Resume: Steps, Template & Examples

What Is a Grad School Resume

A graduate school resume is a document that summarizes your educational background, academic achievements, and professional experience. In other words, it is a resume designed explicitly for graduate school applications, which allows you to showcase your relevant qualifications and skills. It is an essential part of graduate school applications, as it helps admissions committees evaluate your credentials as well as decide whether you're a strong candidate for admission. 

When writing your resume for graduate school, you should tailor it to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the graduate program you're applying to. Therefore, it's necessary to understand what they're looking for in a student. Resumes for graduate school admission should be well-written and appropriately formatted, as admission panelists are typically more attentive to detail. 

Remember that you are not applying for college. Requirements for grad school admission will be more stringent, so you need to make sure that you have used every opportunity to impress the committee.

Purpose of a Graduate School Resume

A resume for graduate school application is a critical tool used to summarize your academic and professional experiences in an organized and effective manner. Its purpose is to provide an overview of your achievements and qualifications to attract the interest of admission officers or a specific institution. A graduate school resume can help you stand out from other applicants, as it allows you to highlight the aspects of your background that are most relevant and impressive. Lastly, it serves as a reference document to support your statements during interviews.

What to Include in a Resume for Graduate School

Writing a grad school resume can be challenging, but with the right advice, it doesn't have to be. One of the reasons is the amount of information required compared to conventional resumes that people typically use when applying for jobs. Resumes for grad school applications, in this case, should include the following:

• Personal details Includes your name, contact details, and other relevant personal data.
• Academic achievements Any relevant academic honors, awards, or publications.
• Related skills Abilities related to the program you're applying for, such as research skills or experience with specific software as well as computer languages.
• Work experience Provide volunteer work, professional experience, or both.
• Relevant courses Showcase any courses associated with the grad program you're applying for.
• Extracurricular activities Offer any relevant activities that show your interest in the grad program.
• References Contact details and professional title of peoples you've worked with or who can vouch for your academic qualifications.
• Certifications Professional accreditations you've acquired throughout your educational career. These are important in resumes for applying to grad school, as they demonstrate your commitment to the subject.

>> Read more: How to Ask a Professor for a Letter of Recommendation

Grad School Resume Format

The resume format for graduate school varies by program, but some general guidelines should be adhered to when writing a resume for graduate school applications. The length of the resume should be one to two pages long, depending on your experience and qualifications. The resume format for graduate school applications should include the following sections:

• Contact information
• Summary statement
• Education
• Professional experience
• Certifications and licenses
• Awards and honors
• Professional associations
• Skills and competencies
• Publications (if applicable)
• Volunteer experience.

It is crucial to pay attention to details when formatting your resume. Make sure to include dates and that all information is relevant. Additionally, ensure the format is consistent throughout the paper and follows a professional design. The best resume format for graduate school should include keywords related to the field or program you are applying for. 

Grad School Resume Template

It can be incredibly helpful to have a graduate school resume template while writing your own. Grad school resumes require a unique approach and content compared to other types of resumes. Thus, utilizing graduate school resume templates available online is highly beneficial. By customizing this template with information about yourself, you can effectively demonstrate all the academic qualifications necessary for admission into grad school to differentiate yourself from the competition.

To assist you in creating your graduate school resume, here is an example of resume for graduate school template offered by one of our paper writers.

How to Write a Grad School Resume

Crafting a compelling and professional resume is integral to advancing your academic prospects; as such, it's essential that you take the time to write a resume for graduate school that's impactful. A well-written resume could be the difference between continuing with graduate school or being overlooked for admission. As a result, taking your time to write a resume that will showcase your qualifications to make a lasting impression on the reviewers is imperative. Below is a guide that will illustrate step-by-step how to write a resume for grad school that will stand out from the rest.

1. Start With Your Resume Objective

The grad school resume objective section is your document's first and most crucial piece. Students should use resumes to present a clear purpose for applying to grad school. Failure to impress the board right away may make them overlook your document. As a result, you should take extra care to adjust your resume objective to reflect the graduate school's program and its mission. Your objective for resume grad school should also focus on the program you are applying to, as well as highlight how it can help you advance your career. The reason is that graduate schools want to know that you have a concise idea of what the program can do for you.

Grad School Resume Objective Example

Writing a grad school resume objective can be challenging because it needs to summarize your entire document in just a few sentences. Therefore, checking a grad school resume objective sample is necessary to offer you guidance and new insights. Below is an example of a grad school resume objective:

Recent undergraduate student with a bachelor's degree in Media Studies seeking to enroll in the Master of Communication program at XYZ University with the purpose of improving my research, analytical, and communication skills to become an effective communicator in the modern world.

2. Add Your Contact Details

The contact details section is the next part of your resume for grad school application, and it is imperative to include accurate information because institutions want to know how to reach you in case they are interested in speaking with you. Failure to list the correct contact details can lead to a lost opportunity. Additionally, avoid listing your social media profiles on your resume. It is best to keep the document professional and focus on your official contact information only.

In every resume for grad school, list the following details:

• Full name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address.

Contact Details for a Grad School Resume Example

When crafting your contact details for your graduate school resume, you need to make sure that all the information is up to date. For example, if you have recently moved, ensure that your address reflects this change. Avoid using a personal email address that has nicknames and unprofessional language. The reason is that graduate schools are looking for more mature candidates, so your email address should reflect this. Contact details section may look like this:

John Walker

123 Park Avenue, New York City, NY 10001

(321) 654-2551 | johnwalker@mail.com

3. Fill Out an Education Section

An outstanding graduate application resume provides detailed information about your education. Therefore, the education section for a graduate school resume should include all relevant educational experiences to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. This is because graduate admission committees use this information to determine your suitability for the program. Some of the subsections to include in your grad student resume education section include:

• Names of graduate schools attended
• Locations
• Dates of graduation
• Major(s)
• Minor(s) (if applicable)
• GPA
• Honors and awards received
• Relevant courses you've previously taken.

In this section, you should also include any degrees obtained, such as a graduate certificate or diploma. Additionally, suppose you have done any internships or a capstone project. In that case, you should incorporate them here, because the admission panel will want to know your experience with the field.

Example of a Grad School Resume Education Section

When creating a resume for grad school application, it is essential to include an education section that details your academic background. You can check the following resume for grad school education section sample.

The following is an example:

Education

New York University, New York City, NY

Master of Science in Social Psychology, May 2022

GPA: 3.7/4.0

Relevant Courses: Psychological Statistics, Qualitative Research Methods, Social Psychology of Emotion

4. Describe Your Relevant Experience

When creating a resume for grad school, you should incorporate any relevant experience you possess. This includes volunteer career work, as well as work experience related to the program you are applying for. It is crucial to list your positions in order of relevance, with the most recent experience at the top.

In addition, the experience section may include internships, projects, and relevant activities. These are especially important for grad school resumes, as they demonstrate your field involvement and research commitment. If you have any teaching experience, list it here as well, the courses and the level of students. This is important as it reflects your teaching skills, which universities and colleges highly value.

For any additional volunteer or research experience, you should provide details of the project, your role, and any key findings or results. Giving this information in your grad school application resume will allow the admission board to understand better your experience and knowledge in that field.

Graduate School Resume Example for an Experience Section

In this step, it is essential to include an experience section that provides information about any work and volunteer experience relevant to the program. This is especially important for those with a limited academic background since it can help admission committees view your potential in the field. Including any transferable skills you have gained through your experience is critical. Such skills can help the board to understand how your experience relates to the graduate program. Mention any applicable awards and recognitions you have received during your experience to help show that you are involved and passionate about the field.

Consider thesample for a graduate school resume example below:

Experience

Volunteer Researcher, New York University, New York City, NY (June 2020-Present)

• Conducted research on the social psychology of emotion using qualitative research methods

• Performed data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results

• Presented research findings at an academic conference for nursing experts

• Developed professional relationships with other researchers and volunteers

• Received the "Outstanding Volunteer Researcher of the Year" award. 

5. Highlight Your Skills

Highlighting skills on a resume for graduate students is a great way to showcase the abilities you possess, particularly when applying for an academic program. When writing, include skills related to the program you are applying for. In addition, it is also essential to specify skills relevant to the field, such as data analysis skills. Remember that skills to put on a resume for graduate school should demonstrate your capacity for the program and help you stand out to the admissions board.

Skills in Grad School Resume Sample

Skills in a grad school resume help demonstrate your knowledge and abilities by providing concrete and relevant evidence. As such, students must specify any transferable skills applicable to the program when writing. Below is an example of a grad school resume's skills section:

Skills 

Research & Writing: Ability to effectively conduct research, analyze data and write academic papers.

Problem-solving & Critical thinking: Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to think critically.

Project management: Proficient in project management, managing multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.

6. List All Your Academic Achievements

Writing your academic achievements in a resume for grad school admission involves outlining any awards and scholarships you have received throughout your educational career. This information is important to include as it demonstrates your success and commitment to your education.

In addition to awards, it is important to incorporate any academic honors, such as dean's list or honor roll recognition. By indicating your achievements in a resume for grad school, you intend to show an admissions committee that you are motivated as well as hardworking.

The following is a list of academic achievements that you may want to include in your resume:

• Awards and recognitions
• Graduate scholarships
• Fellowships and grants
• Publications
• Relevant coursework
• Conference presentations and participation
• Foreign language proficiency
• Professional certifications.

7. Include Additional Grad School Resume Sections

When creating resumes for graduate school, it is crucial to include sections demonstrating your additional skills and abilities. This section is often overlooked but can provide the admissions with in-depth information about your qualifications. Graduate school application resume may contain this section as optional to allow you to stand out from other applicants.

In addition to the core resume sections, you may want to include the following supplemental details:

• Leadership experience Outline any headship roles you have held and describe the impact of your work.
• Computer skills Outlining computer skills relevant to graduate school admissions, such as proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or statistical software packages.
• Professional memberships List any professional memberships you possess, such as membership in a graduate student organization, a body related to your field of study, or conference participation.
• Licenses Include any passes that apply to graduate school admissions.
• Extracurricular activities Provide any additional activities you are involved in, e.g., sports.
• Hobbies and interests Show any hobbies or interests that demonstrate your overall character and passions. These are important in a resume for applying to grad school as the board members are looking for well-rounded individuals.
• Summary It is a brief and concise description of your experience, education, and qualifications. Unlike an objective that speaks to what you seek from an opportunity, a summary aims to provide insight into who you are and the value you can bring to the table without requiring someone else to read through your detailed background information.

Including the above information in your grad school application ensures that you provide the admissions board with an in-depth view of your qualifications and abilities. With this approach, you can ensure that you are presenting the best possible resume that showcases your professional skills and knowledge.  If you don't showcase these abilities on your resume, it will likely be overlooked by graduate schools searching for highly competent candidates. Including some of the above sections within your graduate school resume should help achieve this goal.

8. Proofread and Edit Your Grad School Resume

Proofreading and editing your document is crucial before you submit it for consideration. It is necessary to do this to make a resume for grad school applications error-proof, as any typos or errors could lead to rejection. Ensure you review your application multiple times, checking for typos or errors. If you find any mistakes, make sure to correct them. You should also check that the resume is formatted correctly and contains all necessary sections.

Ask someone else to review and critique your graduate school resume for a more objective opinion. Having another person review the work can help you identify any potential mistakes or areas of improvement. This will also allow you to get feedback from someone familiar with the grad school admission process and can help make sure you tailor your resume to the grad school you are applying to.

Grad school resumes get compared against other applicants, so make sure you present yourself as professionally and accurately as possible.

Graduate School Resume Examples

Checking a resume for grad school example, while working on your application is one of the greatest ways to ensure you are on the right track. Consulting online databases and resume templates can provide valuable insights and ideas. By looking at resume examples, you can see what types of information are necessary and how to format yours for the best possible outcome. 

In addition, consulting grad school resume requirements can help you understand the expected content. Take a look at the student grad school resume examples below to get an idea of what one should look like:

Example 1

Example 2

Grad School Resume Writing Tips

A resume for graduate school is a must when applying for any advanced degree. Crafting an effective resume for graduate school is an important task, and writing tips can be immensely helpful in ensuring that you create the best professional resume for graduate school. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when writing yours:

1. Keep it short and direct. Your resume should be concise and straight to the point. It's crucial that you put only relevant information.
2. Employ the correct language and formatting. Use formal style because the hiring committee will look for a candidate with great writing skills.
3. Check errors. Avoid typos or grammar mistakes. Proofread your resume to make sure it is free of errors.
4. Use keywords. Make sure to include keywords to fit the job description in your resume so that it stands out from others.
5. Review examples. Look for a resume for graduate school example online and use it as a guide for your own.
6. Use a professional font. A font like Times New Roman can help you make a great impression because it is easy to read.
7. Use active language. Using action verbs helps you to express your professional capabilities powerfully.

Grad School Resume Checklist

Having a checklist can help you to ensure your resume grad school is ready for submission. The reason is that a list can help ensure that you include all critical information. Therefore, here is a graduate school resumes checklist:

Using the above checklist for resume writing for graduate school admissions ensures that you have not omitted any important details and that your cv is complete.

You may also want to go through some popular graduate school interview questions to get yourself prepared. Make sure you check out our tips to nail your application or contact our admission essay writing service for professional help.

Final Thoughts on Graduate School Resume Writing

This blog has discussed how to write a professional resume for graduate school. It has provided you with a definition of a graduate school resume, stated its purpose, and shown you how to format one. In addition, we provided you with a guide as well as a template to refer to in case you find it hard writing one. We also gave you tips and a checklist when writing a resume for grad school to enable you to proofread it and ensure that you include all information. In addition, we described how to format your resume by showing you the necessary sections to have. Lastly, we provided you with free CV samples so you can get an idea of how your own should look. Consequently, utilize this article's contents to ensure you craft remarkable work.