Figuring out how to write a resume with no work experience or asking a teacher for a recommendation letter is called the "hidden curriculum": the unwritten rules some students just happen to already know. This page is here to close that gap. Below, you'll find step-by-step guidance for every part of the process!

Curious what we mean by hidden curriculum? Read this blog post!

Contrary to popular belief, resumes are more than just a list of impressive titles. Rather, they're just a way of framing what you've already done!  Coursework, clubs, self-directed projects, and volunteer work all count.

Here's what to include:

Contact Information: Your name, email, and phone number at the top.

Education: Your school name, expected graduation year, GPA (if it's a strength), and relevant coursework (APs, IB courses, Honors, etc.).

Experience: Research experience if you have it, but also relevant work like tutoring, internships, volunteering, or self-directed projects. Focus on what you did and what you learned.

Skills: Technical skills (lab techniques, coding languages, software like Excel or Python) and relevant soft skills like communication or project management.

Activities & Honors: Clubs, competitions, awards, and leadership roles that show initiative and curiosity.

Remember: Keep it to one page! The people who will be looking over your resume likely don't have the bandwidth to conduct a deep-dive on your profile; make their job easier for them!

Often, for programs, internships, and college applications, you'll need at least one letter of recommendation. Typically, this will come from a teacher, mentor, or supervisor who can speak to your curiosity and work ethic. Normally, the application details will indicate whether or not your recommender can be from outside of school. 

When asking for a letter of recommendation, it's best to approach them in-person first, and ask them if they would be available to write you a letter of recommendation. During this conversation, remain polite and respectful of your recommender's time. Moreover, make sure to mention the details of the application their letter will be used for, but don't overload them with information. This is primarily meant to confirm if they'd be willing to write you a letter. At the end of the conversation, you should let them know that you'll follow up with more details via email.

If you're not able to speak with your intended recommender in person, no worries! Just email them.

When writing your email, here's a few key things you need to include:

• The program you're applying to — or application their letter will be used for — as well as a brief description and the deadline for the letter.

• One sentence explaining why you approached them for the letter of recommendation

• A resume and/or brag sheet

• And of course, thank them for their time!

As the deadline for the letter of recommendation nears, make sure to check in with your recommender! People's schedules can get busy, so it can never hurt to confirm that things are moving in the right decision. However, you should not be swarming your recommender constantly. One or two (maximum) check-ins would suffice. 

Not every program or college will host interviews, but if yours does,  there are a few things to keep in mind!

Walking into an interview, don't be nervous! Obviously, this is easier said than done, but you'll do best if you're not wound-up and stressed about your interview. Remember: your interviewer (or interviewers) are normal people who are just trying to gauge your personality and who you'll be in your respective environment.

Here are a few questions you're likely to be asked in an interview, and how to think about them:

• "Why are you interested in this field/project?"  Be specific about what drew you in, even if it's a personal story or one class that stuck with you.

• "What has your experience been with research, if any?" It's okay to say you're new. Talk about related experience: a science fair project, a research-related class, or curiosity-driven reading.

• "What do you hope to get out of this opportunity?" Focus on learning and growth, not just resume-building.

• "Do you have any questions for us?" This one can be found in almost any interview! Always have at least one question ready. You can ask about a typical day in the life for the type of person who has had a successful application.

There are also some quirkier questions that could be asked in an interview. These have become more common lately, but you shouldn't let it throw you off! Take a second to think. Don't try and rush through it or else you might stutter or lose track of what you're trying to say.

It's also worth noting that you can always check out Reddit. Take this advice with a pinch of salt, as online communities can either be incredibly supportive or degrading, but you can find program/college-specific questions posted there by other Redditors. 

Personal statements are necessary for many opportunities and applications in your life: undergraduate and graduate admissions, programs, and more! But don't worry about making it seem like you have life figured out already — it's called a personal statement because it's meant to be about YOU!

When you're starting to write a personal statement, a sense of structure can go a long way. Most of the time, it's best to begin with a specific moment or question that sparks the topic you're about to write about. Hone in on that moment. Make it as specific as possible, not just a generic statement. 

Then, explain what draws you to that field/program/topic you're writing about. Build on that beginning with what you've done already, what you hope to learn, and how it connects to where you're headed.

Again, specificity is everything. You have to make it personal to yourself because it can't seem like any random person wrote the essay. 

Another noteworthy point: sometimes we worry about having a topic that's "too cliché," which is a genuine concern, but it depends on how you choose to articulate that topic. There are some ideas that really are oversaturated in the essay pool, but most really aren't as long as you write about it in a way that's unique to YOU. 

There are tons of different pathways where a personal statement might come in. Below are some excellent resources, each representing a different checkpoint in advancing your career!