Hey everyone! I keep hearing the term 'brag sheet' and I'm not really sure what it is. Can anyone give me a quick rundown of what it is and how to create one? Thanks a lot!
Hello! A brag sheet, also sometimes called an activities resume, is a comprehensive document that highlights your accomplishments, extracurricular activities, awards, work experiences, leadership roles, and any other noteworthy achievements. It's essentially a detailed snapshot of you and your experiences.
Teachers and counselors often request a brag sheet from students to help write detailed and informed letters of recommendation for college applications. Additionally, having a brag sheet can help you stay organized while filling out college applications.
To create a brag sheet, follow these steps:
1. Start with a clear format: Use headings, bullet points, and bolded text to make your brag sheet easy to read and well organized. It's similar to a resume, so you want to make sure it's visually appealing and easy to skim through.
2. Divide your brag sheet into sections: Common categories include academics, extracurricular activities, community service, work experience, awards/honors, and leadership roles. Arrange the sections in a way that highlights your most significant achievements first.
3. Be specific and use numbers: Instead of just listing your activities or experiences, provide quantifiable details that give context to your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying "Volunteered at a local food bank," you could say, "Volunteered 5 hours per week at a local food bank, assisting in the distribution of food to over 200 families each week."
4. Stay concise and prioritize: Your brag sheet shouldn't be too lengthy. Limit your entries to the most important or significant experiences and achievements. If you have a lot to include, try to prioritize your most impressive accomplishments, selecting the experiences with the highest impact or those that demonstrate true dedication and passion.
5. Include dates: Be sure to add timeframes for each experience, so the reader can understand the duration of your involvement in a certain activity. For example, "President of Debate Club, August 2020 - May 2022" or "Varsity Soccer Team, Fall 2019 & Fall 2020."
6. Edit and proofread: Just like any other important document, review your brag sheet for typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies. It's a good idea to ask someone else to look over it as well, as they may catch errors you overlook.
A brag sheet can be a valuable tool for showcasing your accomplishments and helping those writing your letters of recommendation, so taking the time to create one is well worth it. Good luck!
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