Can You Put Middle School Achievements on Resume?

When it comes to job or college applications, it’s natural to want to highlight your accomplishments and show off your skills and talents.

But what about achievements from your middle school years? Is it appropriate to include these on a professional resume or college application?

On the one hand, middle school accomplishments may demonstrate skills or traits that are relevant to the job or academic program you’re applying for. On the other hand, some people might argue that including middle school achievements on a resume or college application could come across as immature or irrelevant.

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of including middle school achievements on both resumes and college applications.

We’ll also discuss some specific examples of middle school accomplishments that may or may not be appropriate to include.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of whether or not it makes sense to highlight your middle school achievements in your job or college application materials.

So, without further ado, let’s delve in!

Can You Put Middle School Achievements on Resume?

A resume is a document that provides a summary of an individual’s education, work experience, skills, and achievements.

The primary purpose of a resume is to showcase one’s qualifications to potential employers.

The question is, can you put middle school achievements on resume?

The answer is yes and no.

It depends on the relevance of the middle school achievement to the job you are applying for.

For example, if you were the captain of your middle school debate team and you are applying for a job that requires strong public speaking skills, then it might be relevant to include that achievement on your resume.

On the other hand, if you were the top scorer in your middle school math competition, but you are applying for a job in marketing, then that achievement may not be as relevant to the position you are applying for.

Including irrelevant achievements on your resume can make it appear cluttered and distract from the accomplishments that are truly relevant to the job.

Moreover, middle school achievements are typically viewed as less significant than high school or college achievements. Therefore, it’s generally better to focus on more recent and relevant accomplishments in high school or college, rather than including middle school achievements.

In summary, it’s possible to include middle school achievements on a resume, but it’s important to consider the relevance of the achievement to the job you are applying for.

Including irrelevant achievements can make your resume appear cluttered and less focused, while focusing on more recent and relevant accomplishments can make you a more competitive candidate.

Find out: Breaking Down the Components of Award Winning Resumes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Can You Put Middle School Achievements on College Application?

When it comes to college applications, the focus is typically on high school achievements, such as grades, extracurricular activities, and awards.

However, some students may wonder if they should include their middle school achievements as well.

The short answer is that it depends on the achievement and its relevance to your college application.

In general, college admissions officers are most interested in seeing what you’ve accomplished in high school, as it’s a more recent and relevant indicator of your academic and personal achievements.

That being said, there may be certain middle school achievements that are worth including on your college application. For example, if you won a national competition in middle school that is directly related to your intended major, it could be worth mentioning.

Similarly, if you wrote a research paper or completed a project in middle school that demonstrates your intellectual curiosity and passion for a particular subject, it could be relevant to include.

On the other hand, if your middle school achievements are not particularly impressive or relevant to your college application, it’s best to leave them off.

Including irrelevant or insignificant achievements can come across as trying too hard or not understanding what’s important to the college admissions process.

Ultimately, the decision to include middle school achievements on your college application should be based on whether they add value to your overall application.

Remember that college admissions officers are looking for well-rounded students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, so make sure to highlight those achievements that best showcase your strengths.

Find out: The Science of Resume Writing: How to Optimize Your Resume for Maximum Impact

What are Some Middle School Achievements That Could be Included on Resume or College Application?

When deciding whether or not to put middle school achievements on a resume or college application, it’s important to consider whether they are relevant and impressive enough to highlight your strengths and accomplishments.

Here are some examples of middle school achievements that could potentially be included:

Academic achievements

According to Luke MacQuoid from Extended essay writers, if you received any notable academic awards or honors in middle school, such as being on the honor roll, winning a science fair, or achieving a high score on a standardized test, these may be worth including on a resume or college application.

However, keep in mind that college admissions officers and potential employers will be more interested in your recent academic achievements in high school and beyond.

Extracurricular activities

If you participated in any extracurricular activities in middle school that are relevant to your current interests or career goals, such as playing an instrument, volunteering, or joining a sports team, you may want to include these on your resume or college application.

Be sure to emphasize any leadership roles or achievements within these activities.

Special skills or talents

If you have any unique skills or talents that you developed in middle school, such as coding, public speaking, or artistic abilities, you may want to mention these on your resume or college application.

However, be prepared to provide evidence of your skills or talents, such as a portfolio or examples of your work.

Personal accomplishments

If you overcame any significant challenges or achieved any personal goals in middle school, such as learning a new language or raising money for charity, you may want to mention these on your resume or college application.

These types of accomplishments can demonstrate resilience, determination, and leadership skills.

Note that the key is to focus on accomplishments that are impressive, relevant, and demonstrate your strengths and potential.

Be strategic in deciding what to include, and make sure that everything you mention adds value to your application.

Find out: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out: With Real Examples

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, whether or not to include middle school achievements on a resume or college application can depend on a variety of factors, including the relevance of the achievement to the job or college program, the recency of the achievement, and the overall strength of the applicant’s qualifications.

While some middle school achievements may be impressive and demonstrate a strong work ethic or passion for a particular subject, others may not be as relevant or meaningful to the application.

If you’re struggling to determine what to include on your resume or college application, consider seeking the guidance of a professional resume writer. At CEOMichaelHR, we specialize in crafting compelling, customized resumes that showcase your unique skills and accomplishments.

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