UT ADMISSIONS: THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EXPANDED RESUME
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the most esteemed universities in the world, with over 51,000 students across 18 different schools and colleges. A unique aspect of their admissions process is the request for an expanded resume. While it is not required, submitting an expanded resume is highly recommended for admission to the prestigious school and especially for gaining acceptance into your preferred major.
What is the Expanded Resume and Why You Should Submit One?
The expanded resume is not part of the ApplyTexas application system and may go unnoticed. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email to submit supplemental documents, including your expanded resume, into the MyStatus portal.
A pro-tip to increase your chances of being noticed is to attach your UT EIN at the top of your expanded resume and upload all supplementals together, as sometimes they can get misplaced.
“The expanded resume is a catalog of everything you have been involved in since the summer before your freshman year and will allow you to add more information than will fit In the space provided on the initial college application.” — Dale Price
How to Create an Expanded College Resume: Tips and Examples
So, what is an expanded resume? Contrary to its name, it is not a traditional resume, but rather a catalog of every experience you have been involved in since the summer before your freshman year. Unlike a standard resume which is usually 1-2 pages, an expanded college resume can range from 3 to 4+ pages. This provides students with an opportunity to expand on their high school experiences and highlight activities and accomplishments that are directly relevant to their chosen field of study.
When Should You Start Compiling Your Expanded College Resume?
It's never too early to start thinking about your expanded resume! To create a comprehensive overview of your accomplishments and experiences, start by building an activity list. Be sure to include your role in every activity or event, the time spent in that role, and a brief description. Always quantify using action verbs along the way.
Pro-Tips to Increase Your Chances of Being Noticed
Illustration 1:
Austin High School UNICEF Club
10th & 11th, 3hrs/week, 5 months
Secretary
Oversaw weekly meetings with planned curriculum
Coordinated weekly virtual meetings following the transition to online school
Managed communication with UNICEF and local businesses
Raised 700 dollars for UNICEF within first year with 20 members
The expanded resume should be organized into different categories including internships, clubs, leadership, employment.
Illustration 2:
Model United Nations
3hrs/week
Delegate (10th-12th), Under Secretary Chair of Communications (12th-elected)
Participated in various conferences throughout Texas
Communicated with administration and participating schools
Organized the attendance of hundreds of delegates
The expanded resume should be viewed as a catalog, not a bullet list. Viewing your expanded resume as a catalog will help when it comes to making everything quantifiable. You want to be able to expand and put numbers to everything you did in high school.
Illustration 3:
MUNSA Distinguished Delegate
Participated in two day Model UN Conference
Recognized for diplomacy and advanced communicative skills
Competed against 30 delegates in debating two topics
Where you selected to be in an officer position for an organization? Then tell how many people you were up against in the election. Did you compete in track? Elaborate by listing your best times. Were you on the robotics team? Expand on your experience by explaining the types of competitions and the software you used. It is not just about listing your activities but about showing what you brought to the table.
Illustration 4:
May 2020 Independent Learning Project
4hrs/week
Designed a simple prosthetic using three dimensional design software
Completed a research paper analyzing my process
Viewing your expanded resume as a catalog, rather than a bullet list, will help you make everything quantifiable. You want to be able to expand and put numbers to everything you did in high school.
For example, if you were selected to be in an officer position for an organization, tell how many people you were up against in the election. If you competed in track, elaborate by listing your best times. If you were on the robotics team, expand on your experience by explaining the types of competitions and the software you used. It's not just about listing your activities but about showing what you brought to the table.
Unlike traditional resumes, the expanded resume does not have to be in chronological order and is not limited to 1-2 pages. Your expanded resume should be organized by depth and impact. It is a catalog through which you are making your pitch as to why you belong in your first choice major.
The University of Texas' Holistic Review Process
The University of Texas has a very holistic review process. They want to know that the students who attend their university will be prepared to succeed in their field of study. "We started with a constitutional mandate to be a university of the first class.’ Since 1883, we’ve been refining and updating what that means, but we’ve never stopped pursuing that ideal." Expanded resumes provide an opportunity for future Longhorns to tell their story, highlight their strengths, objectives, and achievements, and provide supporting context for a fit-to-major.
Access College America: Help with Your Expanded Resume and UT Application Process
Access College America (ACA) is dedicated to helping students with their college application process. They provide personalized guidance, advice, and support to students and families to help them navigate the complex process of applying to college.
If you're looking for help with your expanded resume or have any questions about the University of Texas application process, ACA can be a valuable resource. They have a team of experienced college advisors who can provide guidance on how to make your expanded resume stand out and help you present yourself in the best possible light to the UT admissions committee.
In addition, ACA offers webinars and other resources that provide a more extensive look at the expanded resume and how to create a compelling application for UT Austin. These webinars cover topics such as how to select the right activities to highlight in your expanded resume, how to quantify your accomplishments, and how to make your application stand out in a competitive applicant pool.
Attending an ACA webinar can be a great way to get more information about the expanded resume and the UT application process, as well as to ask any questions you may have. ACA's team of experts is always available to provide support and guidance throughout the college application process, and they can help you achieve your goals of getting accepted to the University of Texas at Austin.