Tips | Curriculum Vitae for Undergraduates

1. Curriculum Vitae Overview

Curriculum Vitaes (CVs) are often a part of the graduate school application package, particularly for research / academic programs. Traditionally, CVs have an academic focus - they present a complete picture of your academic achievements, publications (if any) and scholarly interests, as well as skills developed through academic degrees and related teaching or research experience. If you are applying to a more applied graduate program, you may be asked for a resume rather than a CV.

 

Since a majority of upper-year undergraduate students do not have many of the typical elements of a CV such as publications, extensive research or teaching experience and scholarships, students must consider repackaging their experiences using headings that will emphasize their relevant experiences to the admissions committee.

 

As you begin to compile your CV, here are some questions to consider:

  • Do I know what types of skills and experiences the admissions committee is looking for?
  • What relevant experiences have I had? (Look under “Suggested Sections of the Curriculum Vitae” for ideas on what constitutes relevant experience)
  • What would I like to emphasize in my document?
  • Have I completed any major assignments or projects in the subject area that I am considering for graduate school?
  • Am I a member of any associations/student clubs relevant to my field of study?
  • Have I omitted any information that might be relevant such as projects in and outside of academia, extra-curricular activities, and employment activities?

 

2. Curriculum Vitae Suggested Sections 

The following are suggested categories for your CV. Select and order your categories to highlight your relevant skills, experiences and achievements to appeal to the priorities of your intended program of study. When organizing the information within each category, list items in reverse chronological order, with the most recent information appearing first.

Personal Information

Name, email and phone number. DO NOT INCLUDE Information on marital status, dependents, religious affiliation, gender or ethnicity when applying to programs in North America. If applying outside of North America, consult the program personnel to see if any of this information is required.

Research Interests

List your research interests. This idea is to demonstrate a match with the research topics/areas of the program you are applying to as well as those of the program faculty you may be interested in learning from or being supervised by. Use bulleted points for this section.

Academic Information

Include date, degree conferred (or to be conferred), program of study, name of institution. You may also include selected coursework relevant to your intended area of study or research.

Honours and Achievements / Academic Honours and Awards / Awards and Certificates

List academic awards, accomplishments and/or certificates. If the award or certificate will not be familiar to those who will be reading your CV, include a brief explanation. You may also include the value of the award/scholarship if significant. Do not include any awards from your high school years.

Research Experience

List research experiences (paid and/or volunteer) and/or significant research projects. Include project title, supervisor’s name, and if applicable lab or centre name. Provide information regarding your specific role. Consider including independent research courses and projects (IRP's), ROP experiences, research-related internships, 300 and 400 level coursework, work-study positions, volunteer/paid research experiences, as well as undergraduate thesis.

Teaching Experience

List relevant teaching experiences including instructorships, teaching assistantships, Facilitated Study Group Leader experience or experiences where you served as a marker or invigilator. Include your title, the course title, the course code/level, name of the supervising professor, and the dates for each listing. Provide a brief description including information, such as class size and an overview of tasks performed and if available, metrics of your effectiveness as a teacher or TA.

Publications, Major Reports, Senior Thesis or Literature Reviews

You may mention publications of your work here. If a publication is pending, you may note that, with the expected date and journal. If your work is unpublished, consider reports from independent research courses, ROP’s, 300/400 level research reports including literature reviews unless already listed elsewhere. Use academic reference format.

Conference Presentations or Major Presentations or In-Class Presentations

Consider conference, senior-level course presentations, poster presentations and/or community presentations. List title, class or organization, city or university, and date.

Conferences Attended

You may also include the name, location and dates of any conferences, symposia or enrichment seminars attended outside of regular lectures that are relevant to your intended program of study.

Associations and Affiliations or Clubs and Memberships

List any memberships in university/student clubs, academic associations or professional associations. They do not have to be directly relevant to your area of research interest. Indicate your title (e.g. member, VP Marketing), organization name, institution or city, date. Provide a brief description, which includes the skills you used and the results you achieved.

Professional Experience (Paid Work)

List title, company/organization, city and dates. Provide brief description for each experience including skills used and results achieved. Be sure to highlight research, data analysis, teaching, presenting skills, collaboration and project management.

Include only experiences that you gained during university. Work experiences unrelated to your intended discipline may be included. If they are unrelated to your intended program, highlight transferrable skills such as collaboration, communication, and organization skills. 

On-Campus Involvement / Community Involvement / Volunteer Experience

List activities that you engage in on-campus or in the community. Provide your title, name of organization, institution, date as well as some details about skills and accomplishments.

Relevant Skills

You may want to highlight any additional skills that may bolster your application, even if you have mentioned them elsewhere in the document, especially if they are research relevant. Examples include specific lab skills, software skills, fieldwork or interviewing skills & statistical expertise.

Languages

This category is most common for scholars in the humanities and social sciences and allows you an opportunity to specify your reading, writing and oral fluency in foreign languages.

References

List name, title of referee, department or company, institution or city. Three references with at least two who can attest to your academic potential (e.g. professors) are optimal. TAs are not a strong substitute for professors as referees, so start networking with your professors early. See this tipsheet on Academic References for more information.

 

3. Additional Resources Via UTM Career Centre

Workshops

Resources

  • The CV Handbook by Will Coghill-Behrends and Rebecca Anthony (2011)
  • Looking ahead to your career post-grad school, check our graduate student career resources.
  • Tip sheets: Considering Grad School; Applying to Grad School; Funding Graduate School

Critiques

  • Have your CV and Personal Statement/Letter of Intent critiqued by a Career Counsellor. Book an appointment today - come in and talk to staff (DV3094) or give us a call at 905-828-5451.

 

Information is subject to change. Refer to the original sources for the most up-to-date information.

 

 

Updated July 2023