Often graduate students need to have a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) when applying to graduate programs. Although résumés are traditionally used for employment purposes, some graduate schools now require them as part of the application process. We’ve also heard of CVs or résumés being requested during some visa interviews.

The term “CV” will be most commonly used when you are being asked to outline your experience specifically for academic purposes. Unlike résumés, which are usually 1 to 2 pages in length, CVs are generally 2 to 4 pages long and include details on your publications, scholarly activities, and the like. With a CV you may also consider submitting such materials as a dissertation abstract, a statement of research interests, and/or a statement of teaching interests.

Résumés are typically focused on work experience and are most often requested by business schools and other professionally oriented programs. Look at specific application requirements and what fits with your own background best in deciding what you should send.

When sending a curriculum vita or résumé to a U.S. university, do not include information such as your weight, height, or marital status.  In the United States this information is considered private and is strange to mention in this context.  Your birth date is also not needed here—it is not considered in U.S. admissions decisions.

A few websites that provide more tips on how to create CVs/résumés specifically for application purposes are listed below—

• Dartmouth College Career Services
• Infozee
• MBA.com