While not every graduate school will require the submission of a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) as part of your application, a substantial number do. Understanding what to incorporate, what to omit, and the appropriate length of the document is crucial.
A conventional job-seeking résumé or a concise one-page academic résumé is insufficient for a graduate school application, given the emphasis on academic endeavors. It is advisable to develop a comprehensive multi-page CV, emphasizing academic background, accomplishments, and strengths. Although information about recent employment history, activities, and personal interests is included, the primary focus of the CV should be on academic details relevant to the targeted program.
Your CV will consist of several sections, such as:
Contact Information:
This section comprises your name, address, phone number, and email. Here are some important considerations:
Salutations (Mr., Mrs., Ms.) are unnecessary unless indicating a professional title (such as Dr., or Esq.).
Ensure your email address is professional (avoid examples like poohbear123@mailservice.com). Opt for a simple and recognizable format, such as firstname.lastname@mailservice.com.
Provide a phone number that directly reaches you.
Include your current residence address where mail can be received promptly.
Academic History:
Specify the institutions you have attended, along with the years of attendance and the conferred degree. If you haven't completed your studies at the most recent institution, include your major and the anticipated date of completion. Omit details such as GPA, standardized test information, or honors and awards (the latter two will be covered in separate sections).
Academic Accomplishments:
In this section, you should detail any honors, awards, and significant papers (such as your college thesis) that remain unpublished. A couple of important notes:
For honors and awards, include the year of receipt, the name of the award, and provide a brief explanation of the criteria used for conferring it. Do not presume that schools are acquainted with all academic honors and awards — there are numerous, and it is your responsibility to offer relevant information.
For noteworthy academic papers, incorporate the year of composition, the title of the work, and a concise description of its content.
Educational Instruction Background:
If you possess prior teaching involvement, ensure its inclusion in this segment. Specify the course taught, the duration of teaching, the overseeing professor, and the educational institution where you engaged in teaching. Outline whether you were responsible for curriculum development, whether you were the sole instructor or part of a co-teaching arrangement, and disclose the student enrollment in your class. There is no cause for concern if, as an undergraduate, you lack teaching experience, as it is not an anticipated prerequisite. Nevertheless, be sure to emphasize it if applicable.
Research Involvement:
Enumerate any established research engagement you have undertaken under the guidance of a faculty member. Specify the institutions where the research took place, the corresponding time frames, the researched topics, and any resultant papers or publications.
Grant Recognition:
While it is improbable for undergraduates to have relevant information for this section, if you have received any grants, delineate the year of receipt, the awarded sum, the granting institution, and the purpose of the funds (e.g., projects).
Published Works:
Document any contributions to publications where your work has been published in a research capacity pertinent to the field you are currently pursuing a degree. Specify the date, publication title, name of your contribution, and provide a description of the contents.
Professional Experience Beyond Academic Settings:
In this section, detail your work history, preferably spanning up to the past five years, though certain institutions may necessitate an extended timeframe. Include the employer's name, location, your role, tenure, and a concise overview of your responsibilities. Given that this aspect is not the focal point of your CV, the descriptions don't need to be overly detailed.
Professional Memberships:
Enumerate any organizations or professional associations you are associated with, along with the date of your initial affiliation and any roles held in administration or leadership.
References:
While a CV generally mandates the inclusion of this section, it may be unnecessary to add it if you plan to submit letters of recommendation along with your application.
Formatting Instructions:
The length of the CV is flexible and typically ranges between 3-5 pages. Any length within this range is acceptable. If your document is only 2 pages but encompasses all pertinent information, that is acceptable as well.
Include information only for the categories relevant to your background. If a specific category does not apply, feel free to omit it.
Maintain 1" margins on all sides of the document, and use a 12-point font for readability.
Left-align the entire document, as the natural reading pattern starts from the left side of the page. This ensures easy visual scanning of your CV.
As a concluding remark, it is advisable to have someone, or multiple individuals, review your CV before finalizing it. Additional perspectives can offer valuable insights, and others may recall details about you that you may have overlooked.
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