Resume Writing Advice

I asked this question previously, and received very encouraging comments, with the exception of one, from an eighth grade student. He essentially stated that most of my work is superfluous, I am a nerd, and that I should have focused on sports.

What aspects of my resume are unneeded? Winning international science competitions, along with 18 other awards from NASA, US Air force, etcetera? I can guarantee you, very few people in the world can put that on their resume. Receiving full scholarships to colleges in 10th grade? Having my work published in scientific journals, and receiving invitations to speak at international conferences? Playing with the Houston Symphony? Winning national competitions in writing, government, receiving perfect and near perfect scores on foreign language exams, etcetera? One who excels in every area of academia, with the exception, from what one may see, of sports, is not someone I would term a worthless nerd. For one to focus on sports is what I deem ‘nerdy.’

And if sports truly is the end-all be-all, I am happy to say that I am involved in both soccer and fencing and two forms of dance (which are considered sports). I am also a female.

So, what exactly is superfluous?

I am more than happy to receive constructive criticism, but to be told that, simply because I am not a sports nerd, I do not have a good chance of acceptance, really turns my buttons.

I have already been invited by a top physicist to come spend the summer at UCLA to work with him on his research. I have also been invited into various summer programs at Stanford, Harvard, Oxford, etcetera, and I have many, many recommendation letters from excellent sources (top physicists, musicians, elected officials, as so on.)

Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

SO ON TO THE PARTIAL RESUME:

I am a junior in highschool. When I graduate, I shall have well over 40 credits under my belt, a great deal of which through AP, CLEP, Dual Credit, etcetera.

This is an incomplete resume…I’m in a hurry and this is all I can pull together right now.

I have around 500 community service hours to date ( a great deal of work went in to these projects, which I shall detail in my actual application).

GPA (unweighted) : 4.0

SAT-
Math-700
Writing-770
Reading-750

PSAT-
Based on my score, I know that, at the very least, I shall attain Commended Status.

-Officer positions throughout membership in the National Junior Honor Society (Treasurer ’06-’07), and the National Honor Society (Historian ’07-’08, Treasurer ’07-’08, President ’08-’09.)

-Duke TIPS Scholar (Scored 99th percentile in nation on standardized exam (IOWA) and became eligible to take part in Duke Talent Identification Search through Duke University; took College SAT in seventh grade through Duke TIPS, and was presented with award at Texas A&M University. From that point forward, I became eligible to participate in college-level courses/programs.)

- One of eleven students in the nation to earn Perfect Score on the National Greek Language Exam.

- Received gold medal for top scores on the National Latin Language Exam, for two consecutive years.

- Accepted into the National Junior Classical League.

- Accepted into the National Latin Honor Society.

- Invited into the National Society of High School Scholars.

- President of the Generation Joshua Patriots’ Civics Club.
CONTINUED:

SCIENCE

Science Engineering Fair of Houston-
- Senior Grand Award Winner- Engineering/Physical
Sciences Division of Science Engineering Fair of
Houston. First Place Senior Division Physics

Other Special Awards included:
- 1st Place Sr. Division Physics-Texas Section of the American
Physical Society
- 1st Place Physics Senior Division -U.S. Air Force
- One of the top awards from NASA/United Space Alliance
- One of the top awards from the International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering & Environment Project Olympiad.
- 1st Place in the Sr. Division from the Texas Center for Superconductivity though University of Houston; offered internship.
- Physics Sr. Division Winner for the Krishen Foundation for Arts and Sciences.

As Senior Grand Award Winner, advanced to the Intel International Science Engineering Fair held in Atlanta, Georgia.
CONTINUED:

Abstract published in:
-BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY, Volume 53, No. 14
-The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Volume 124, No. 4, Pt. 2 of 2, October ’08

Texas Junior Science and Humanities Symposium:
Selected to compete in poster presentation at Texas A&M University in the Texas Junior Science and Humanities Symposium for two consecutive years, and recognized by the United States Army, Air Force, and Navy.

Most recently, selected to compete in paper presentation, was recognized by the United States Army, Air Force, and Navy for research, and was one of five finalists to win an all-expense-paid trip to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

-Accepted in to Duke University’s TIPS Scholar Nanotechnology weekend, and received 4.0.

Northside Science Fair:
Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, recipient of numerous special awards, from 5th to 9th grade.
CONTINUED:

Intel International Science Engineering Fair—Over 1500 students from 45 countries and 45 states in competition:
-Fourth Grand Award in Senior Physics Division
-First Place Special Award with scholarship from The Acoustical Society of America in Physics, membership in the Society, and invitation to submit and present research at ASA conference in Florida.

- Special Award with scholarship from the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics teachers, membership in the Association, an invitation to attend the AAPT international meeting in Canada, and invitation to submit and present research at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society’s Division of Plasma Physics in Dallas.

- Special Award with scholarship from the U.S. Patent Office.

- Invitation to present research at other foreign national conferences & competitions for summer 2008 and into 2009.
CONTINUED:

MUSIC

-First violinist with Virtuosi of Houston. Played in Jones Hall with the Houston Symphony, under the direction of Brett Mitchell.

-Performed in Zilkha Hall, with undergraduates from University of Houston, under the direction of Andrzej Grabiec and Franz Krager, for the inaugural concert, In Tribute to Children of War. Invitation to attend international music festival in Germany with Virtuosi.
3 days ago

-Received awards through Musica Fest at St. Thomas University and the University of Houston Moores School of Music through Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma, in competitions for piano and violin solos.

-From seventh grade to present, received Superior 1st Division Awards at the Texas Private School Music Educators Association Regional and State Solo & Ensemble Music Competitions, for violin and piano solos and orchestral performances.
MUSIC CONTINUED:

-Accepted into Youth Symphony as a first violinist.
-Accepted into and participated in the American Festival for the Arts (AFA) String Program.
Concertmaster of school Honors Orchestra—through this venue, has played at statewide conferences, and for community service efforts, graduation ceremonies, and so on.
Performed in weddings, community benefits, church orchestras and performances, the Houston Farm and Ranch Club, MD Anderson Cancer Ward, etcetera.

-Received medal for performance on the Texas Music Theory Exam.
CONTINUED MISCELLANEOUS:

- A 1st Place Winner in nation-wide contest for young actors through Focus on the Family
- Won 1st place at Houston Chronicle WHHE Paideia Spelling Bee; progressed to
SESTHA Spelling Bee (won numerous awards over many years in Spelling Bee)
- 3rd Place from Inch Enterprises in the National Sunville Spotlight Short Fiction Writing Competition
- Recognized with the Author’s Award for Excellence in Writing for fiction writing through CHATA
- Lead role in the AD Players Theater Arts Academy Summer Production
- Member of Southern Heritage Dancers
- WHHE Youth Group-numerous activities and service projects.
- Advanced Dissection Science classes at Museum of Natural Science
- Irish step-dancing—performances at annual SESTHA conference; private performances at OMNI and other locations; M.D. Anderson-cancer ward, numerous other venues.

Thank you in advance.
CONTINUED:

GOVERNMENT/DEBATE

-First Place Citizen Award Winner in the Benjamin Rush Initiative. (Lobbying, over 100 hours of Good Citizenship, registering voters (over 300), writing/having published letters to editors, etc.) Recipient of $500 scholarship to Patrick Henry College, and $100 certificate.

- Youth and Government Member: Legislative Branch. Researched, drafted and debated and passed bills in Austin Senate Chambers. Served as Committee Chair for two consecutive years, and received Distinguished Delegate Award at District.
Received special recognition from State Representative Charlie Howard for decorum in presenting and debating bills, submitting amendments and making arguments against legislation on the House floor in the Austin State Capitol.

- Recipient of the 2008 Texas Republic Good Citizenship Award.

- Generation Joshua Conference-Constitutional Competition winner.

- Selected Team Leader of Page Group at the RPT State Convention

OMG I completely envy you right now. I don’t even have about half the stuff that you have. You don’t need to freak out at all. Honestly, it’s like you have excelled in everything. And the comment about sports. You are a well rounded person and dance,soccer, and fencing definetely qualify.

Good Luck in applying!

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