Step 1: Understand What UT Austin Wants

UT Austin seeks three key elements in their holistic review process:

• Fit-to-Major: How your activities align with your intended major.
• Initiative: Actions showing self-motivation and proactive engagement.
• Contribution to the Common Good: Evidence of making a positive impact on your community.

Step 2: Set Up Your Activity Log

Start early—ideally in ninth or tenth grade—to accurately capture all activities. Use a simple shared Google Doc or notes app to consistently log each activity your student participates in. This practice simplifies tracking and ensures details aren’t forgotten.

Include:

• Jobs
• Clubs
• Hobbies
• Volunteering
• Internships
• Tutoring
• Special interests
• Relevant coursework (especially those aligning with your intended UT major)

Step 3: Organize Activities Thematically

Group activities under clear, thematic headings related to your intended major or other distinct categories such as Leadership, Athletics, and Service Initiatives. For example, if your major is business, begin your resume with related activities such as internships, clubs, or leadership roles in business-focused organizations.

Step 4: Provide Detailed Descriptions

Each activity entry should include:

• Your role or title
• Grades during which you participated
• Time commitment (use the format: hours per week and weeks or months per year)
• Detailed bullet points describing your actions and their impacts

Step 5: Highlight Impact and Initiative

Your bullet points should reflect depth, initiative, and clear outcomes. For instance, rather than simply stating you volunteered, articulate specifically what you accomplished:

Example:

• "Assisted with financial applications and loan paperwork for local families applying for housing. Utilized ability to speak Chinese and Spanish to make housing applicants feel comfortable."

This description demonstrates alignment with a business major, initiative in learning specialized skills, and a significant contribution to community welfare.

Step 6: Format for Clarity, Not Flash

While UT Austin values detailed content, fancy formatting isn’t necessary. Use simple headers, clear bullet points, and consistent formatting. Your goal is readability and ease for the admissions team to quickly identify your strengths and contributions.

Step 7: Regularly Review and Reflect

Update the activity log regularly—monthly check-ins can be beneficial. Reflect on activities periodically, ensuring descriptions clearly capture the skills and values UT Austin emphasizes. Encourage your student to articulate depth, reflect on their experiences, and think beyond mere titles or schedules.

Step 8: Leverage Parental Insights

Parents often have a valuable perspective. They can help recall forgotten details or context around activities that might seem trivial to students but hold significant admissions value. Family collaboration ensures a richer and more complete expanded resume.

Step 9: Final Review and Polish

Before submission, thoroughly review for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with UT’s expectations. Ensure each activity clearly demonstrates fit-to-major, initiative, and community impact. This final check can significantly enhance the quality of your submission.

Ready, Set, Stand Out!

A compelling expanded resume isn’t just about listing what you've done—it's about clearly communicating your growth, initiative, and contributions. Start today by setting up your activity log and systematically capturing meaningful details. Your expanded resume can truly be the secret weapon that elevates your application above thousands of others.