Everything You Need to Know About the University of Texas at Austin Expanded Resume

You want to make the best possible impression on your UT Austin application.  This is why UT Austin recommends students submit an college admissions resume, what they call an expanded resume to bolster their application. The admissions office at UT Austin states that "the expanded résumé should include all your achievements, not just those that didn’t fit on the Common Application or on ApplyTexas". 


Your expanded resume is an opportunity to make a compelling case for why you are the perfect match for your intended major and how it fits your interests, skills and future goals. While UT Austin is looking for well-rounded students who will contribute both inside and outside the classroom, communicating your fit-to-major is essential to your odds of being admitted to the 40 Acres. An expanded resume is your chance to fill in any details left out of the main application and provide context for your achievements.


We'd urge students who dream of being Longhorns to start by focusing on:


  • Academic projects and research that demonstrate your passion for learning and aptitude for your intended major
  • Extracurricular and volunteer activities that show your leadership, commitment, and teamwork skills
  • Jobs you've held that exhibit your work ethic, initiative, and ability to handle responsibility
  • Talents, hobbies and interests that reveal your personality and motivation


The expanded resume is basically a college admission resume, listing every experience a student has had that will help the admissions office get a sense of who they are as an applicant. UT expects these resumes might run three to four pages—or even more—so instead of just listing titles and dates, students will describe their activities, define their roles, and elaborate on their specific experiences.


The University of Texas at Austin Admissions Application Expanded Resume


WHAT'S INCLUDED ON THE EXPANDED RESUME?


In a word: everything.


This is not just a list of titles and dates. Your expanded resume should showcase:


  • All extracurricular and leadership activities. Even activities from 9th grade onward offer insight into your interests, ambitions and abilities.
  • Awards, honors and achievements both within and outside of school. These demonstrate your potential, talent and motivation.
  • Any relevant jobs, internships, research or volunteer work you've done. This shows leadership, initiative and real-world experience.
  • Community or cultural involvement that has shaped your perspectives and growth. UT values a diverse and engaged student body.
  • Creative pursuits and personal interests that reveal your unique talents and personality. What sets you apart from other applicants?


Go beyond basics to:


  • Describe your specific roles, responsibilities and contributions in depth.
  • Explain the impact of your work and what you gained from the experience.
  • Quantify your achievements and accomplishments whenever possible.
  • Connect your activities to your interests, abilities and future goals.


And that's just the tip of the iceberg. If it’s done outside school hours and isn’t related to assigned classwork, routine studying, or leisure activities, it's fair game.


HOW SHOULD I FORMAT THE RESUME


The expanded resume is unlike a typical professional resume in that it provides much more comprehensive detail. No need to be concise here. In fact, the UT Austin resume template for the expanded resume is three to four pages, though five to six pages may be acceptable for students with a great deal of involvement.


So how do you organize pages and pages of activities? For starters, remember that organization in the traditional reverse chronology set-up is unnecessary. However you group it, we recommend you organize the resume to highlight activities that align with your first-choice major or that showcase in-depth involvement and passion. For example, students applying to the McCombs School of Business would list any of their business endeavors and business-related internships toward the top.

TACKLING THE UT AUSTIN SHORT ANSWER APPLICATION PROMPTS

The college essay & resume for UT Austin process can feel overwhelming. Our program provides an experienced coach and a proven framework, working one-on-one to reduce the stress so the student can tell a compelling story.


Our program for students applying to UT Austin includes:

  • Guiding students through the UT expanded resume development process
  • Managing your student’s essay timeline for one long essay and four school-specific supplemental essays
  • Coaching students through a targeted set of college essays, including one long essay  and three UT-specific supplemental essays
  • Providing students with suggested edits and proofing for this targeted set of college essays
  • Review of essays by our internal admissions committee


Your student will be carefully matched with a coach based on personality, working style, and first-choice major—it’s just one of the many ways we modify our proven process to meet individual student needs

TYPICAL SECTIONS

When it comes to completing your expanded resume for your University of Texas at Austin application, it's important to present your experiences and achievements in a clear and organized manner. If you're unsure how to structure your resume, here are some typical sections that will help you get started:


Extracurricular/school-related activities

In this section, list any school clubs or independent projects you have been involved in. Include activities like acting in a school play, participating in student government, or leading study sessions for your classmates. Highlight your contributions and any leadership roles you've held.


Volunteer work/community service

Here, showcase the experiences you've had in your community. Whether it's an extended volunteer commitment or a one-time community service event, make sure to include them. However, if all your activities are one-off, it might demonstrate a lack of depth of involvement. In such cases, it might be best not to dedicate a separate section just to community service.


Internships/work experience

This section is an opportunity to highlight experiences that demonstrate your fit for your first-choice major. Even if the internship or job itself doesn't perfectly align with your desired major, there are likely skills you gained that are applicable. Think outside the box and emphasize transferable skills.


Summer programs

Anything you do during the summer is fair game in this section, as long as it shows your passion for something and demonstrates motivation. This can include attending sleep-away camp, participating in academic programs hosted by universities, going on mission trips, or even completing independent projects over the summer.


Awards

This section is where you can mention honor roll distinctions, school awards, or membership in honor societies like the National Honor Society or Mu Alpha Theta. However, try not to allocate too much space to this section. Include a brief description of the award only if it's unique or its significance may not be readily understood. For example, awards like "High Honor Roll, Valley High School" or "Most Valuable Player, Lacrosse" are self-explanatory, while "New Vision Award" might require a brief explanation.



WRITING A COMPELLING TOPIC A ESSAY FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ANS AUSTIN


THEMED SECTIONS


Another way to organize the resume is thematically. This can be helpful if a student doesn't have a host of awards or community service experience—instead, it highlights the experiences they do have.


Here are some examples of themed sections:


  • Internships
  • Business endeavors
  • Robotics
  • Sports
  • Theater and dance
  • Music
  • Social justice/community organizing
  • Independent research
  • Languages
  • Computer programming


But remember, students should create themed sections that best showcase their experiences. This is just a starting point.


How Should You Describe Each Activity And Accomplishment?


When completing your expanded resume for the University of Texas at Austin application, it's important to follow UT's preferred formatting and provide detailed information about your activities. Here are some tips to help you create a standout expanded resume:


Time Formatting

UT Austin prefers a specific format for listing your activities. Include the grade level, hours per week, weeks per year, and position titles (especially if they're leadership titles). For example:


Captain of the Canton High School basketball team

4 hrs/wk - 20 wks/yr

11, 12


This formatting will also come in handy when you describe your activities in the ApplyTexas activities section, as it requests the same information.


Go beyond the obvious: The purpose of the expanded resume is to provide additional information about your activities that the reader couldn't gather from the title alone. Use bullet points and active verbs to expand on each activity. Avoid assuming that the reader knows everything about the activity.


For example, if you mention your involvement on the basketball team, don't just state that you attended practices and games. Instead, mention that you were elected captain by your peers. Highlight any special accomplishments or projects related to the activity. Maybe you were the only basketball player who worked with the booster club on a special fundraising project. These details help paint a clearer picture of your involvement and dedication.


Highlight special projects and leadership positions

While it's important to highlight special projects or leadership positions, don't leave out any experiences just because they seem tangential. Every experience can provide valuable insights into your character, skills, and interests. Use the expanded resume to showcase the breadth of your involvement.


Follow the example

The UT Austin website provides an example of how you can expand an activity note. Take a look at it for guidance on the types of details you can include:


Activity Note:

Captain of the XYZ soccer team

5 hrs/wk

11, 12

Expanded Statement:

Captain of the XYZ soccer team

5 hrs/wk

11, 12

  • Elected (or Assigned) position
  • Arrive early and work with coach to get practices started
  • Mentor new team members
  • Assist with equipment
  • Lead warm-up drills


Showcase your strengths and accomplishments

Remember, this is your resume, and you have the freedom to present it in a way that highlights your strengths and accomplishments. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your fit for your first-choice major and showcase your unique contributions to each activity.


By following these tips and presenting your expanded resume effectively, you can enhance your chances of standing out among other applicants. Good luck with your expanded resume, and we hope to welcome you to the University of Texas at Austin soon


Extracurricular Activities That Move The Dial At UT Austin

When students apply to the University of Texas, they are required to select a major, a decision that determines how the admissions committee evaluates their application. That evaluation is organized around the idea of "fit to major", how well a student's academic profile and extracurricular activities match the requirements and expectations of a particular major. To help students dreaming of being a Longhorn, here are our suggestions for activities for some of the most selective majors at UT Austin:


You may also be interested in:


How to Choose Who Writes Your UT Austin College Recommendation Letters

7 "Hidden Gem" Majors at UT Austin

5-Point Scorecard To Make Sure Your Apply Texas Essay A Stands Out

Everything You Need to Know About Honors Programs at the University of Texas at Austin


Note: These services and programs are in no way related to the University of Texas. The University does not endorse the program or College MatchPoint’s services.


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