Which formatting rules should my resume follow for MS or PhD applications abroad?
An academic resume for MS or PhD applications should keep a consistent font, stay within two pages, use single spacing and justified alignment, and list points in bullets in reverse chronological order. Avoid personal pronouns and abbreviations such as etc. or i.e.
A good academic resume for an MS or PhD abroad follows a few basic formatting rules. Use this checklist to tidy yours before you attach it to your application.
Formatting Checklist
| Element | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Font | Keep it consistent |
| Length | Should not exceed two pages |
| Alignment and spacing | Justified alignment with single spacing |
| Order | Reverse chronological order under each section |
| Content style | Bullet points, not paragraphs |
| Pronouns | Do not use I, me, us or we |
| Abbreviations | Avoid ones such as etc. or i.e. |
Why It Matters
These basics make your resume easy to scan for the admissions committee. They sit on top of the sections you must include, so build your content first and then apply the formatting rules.
My Advice
Read your resume once as if you were the reader. If any section runs into paragraph form or crosses two pages, trim it. Confirm any extra instructions on the university page, as expectations can differ.
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