Each Year on May 1st college bound students put a deposit down on their college of choice. When the time comes, before doing that however, it would be wise to do so with one eye towards the future. Your college choice won’t determine your future, but it can shape your trajectory. We teamed up with an exceptional team of college consultants to present a strategic approach to help you navigate your college options with purpose.
“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” – Ralph Marston
Imagine life as a river, offering two modes of existence: drifting aimlessly with the currents or steering your course with purpose. To seize control of your destiny, arm yourself with knowledge and foresight. Planning ahead and making informed decisions are the keys to unlocking a future of endless possibilities.
Let’s dive into our strategic framework – envisioning your future resume. Consider each college you’ve been admitted to and project what your resume could look like in four years based on the unique opportunities each school offers. While various factors influence your choice, such as finances, location, culture, or academic programs, visualizing your future resume will bring clarity to your decision-making process.
Top tip: Create a tailored future resume for each school you’re considering. This exercise will help you evaluate your prospects more effectively.
The Components of Your Future Resume:
Internships & Student Organizations:
Picture this: by graduation, you aim to have two impactful summer internships on your resume. Nailing that second internship between junior and senior year becomes easier with prior experience from sophomore to junior year. So, how do you land that critical first summer internship?
Employers recognize that most students lack real-world experience before junior year. Join student organizations in your freshman year that nurture essential soft skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, leadership, time-management, adaptability, and creativity.
Explore the summer internship opportunities at each school, especially in your field of interest. Even if you’re undecided, explore internships broadly. Assess student organizations that cultivate the soft skills sought by employers. Many join clubs for professional development and fun, both of which contribute to your skill set.
Research:
Strong research experience sets your resume apart, not only for STEM but across various subjects like Language Arts, History, Sociology, and The Arts.
Explore if the colleges you’re considering are R1 research institutions, offering funding for research. Investigate undergraduate research programs aligned with your interests or explore broader opportunities. Look into faculty members researching your major area; connecting with them may lead to supporting their projects in the future.
Identify potential research areas of interest at each school, making it your roadmap to action.
Study Abroad:
Studying abroad adds valuable skills to your resume:
Cultural competency
Language skills
Independence and self-reliance
Flexibility and resilience
International network
Global perspective
Demonstrates initiative
Research the study abroad programs at each school and add relevant ones to your resumes, broadening your horizons for potential life-changing experiences.
Scholarships:
Consider two types of scholarships:
Merit scholarships for first-year students: Prestigious scholarships such as Boston University’s: Trustee Scholarship, Duke and UNC Chapel Hill’s: Robertson’s Scholars, and Tulane University’s: Paul Tulane Award add prestige to your resume. Evaluate competitive merit-based scholarships offered by schools you’re considering.
Postgraduate fellowships: If you aspire to prestigious postgraduate fellowships like Rhodes, Marshall, or Fulbright Scholarships, strategize a four-year plan to prepare yourself. Assess if the colleges you are considering offer advising support for these fellowships and their track record in supporting successful scholarship winners.
Add your scholarship potential achievements to your future resumes.
Honors College:
If you’ve been offered admission to an honors college, recognize the benefits:
Enhanced academic opportunities
Prestige
Personalized advising and support
Community and networking
Access to distinguished faculty
Priority registration
Evaluate each honors college program and add it to your relevant resumes.
GPA:
Employers will look for your GPA at first glance. A high cumulative GPA with honors opens doors to employers and grad schools.
Start college strong, as it’s challenging to improve or recover your GPA later. Be strategic in your course selection, choosing subjects that interest you and align with your goals.
Plot your course forward by assessing curriculum plans, faculty, and course reviews. Set GPA and honors goals for each school on your resumes. Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance if you feel overwhelmed, contact Princeton College Consulting for a free consultation today.
As you delve into this strategic approach, remember that your future is what you make of it. Take charge, embrace your uniqueness, and forge your path with purpose. By doing so, you’ll unlock a world of possibilities and set the stage for an extraordinary journey ahead!
