UChicago Resume Template — ATS-friendly

Key takeaways

One page, single column, no photo.
Every bullet has action + scope + measurable result.
BA Thesis named under Education.
GPA only if 3.5+.
Skills grouped at the bottom, specific tools only.

Format rules at a glance

Length: 1 page
Bullets: Action + scope + measurable result
BA Thesis: Named under Education
GPA: Only if ≥3.5
Photo: Never

Introduction

UChicago Career Advancement teaches a one-page resume with an unusually high bar for what counts as a bullet. The published guidance treats each line as a small argument: a specific action, set in the right context, leading to a concrete result. The format is conservative — single column, no photo, dates right-aligned — but the editorial discipline is the signature.

UChicago resume format

Length: one page through graduation and for several years after.
Font: a clean serif (Times, Garamond) or sans-serif (Arial, Calibri) at 10–12 pt.
Margins: 0.5"–1".
Dates: right-aligned, Month Year.
Photo: never.

Personal summary

UChicago's samples don't include a summary by default. A short profile is acceptable for career changers; otherwise let your evidence work.

Experience section

Open every bullet with a strong verb in the correct tense.
State scope (size, scale, stakes) so the reader can calibrate the result.
End with a measurable outcome — UChicago specifically warns against bullets that name an action without a result.
Cap each bullet at two lines; cap each role at 3–5 bullets.

Education and certifications

Education leads the page through graduation.

The University of Chicago, then degree, then graduation date.
Include GPA if 3.5+; major GPA optionally.
BA Thesis or capstone title sits under the degree line.
Honors (General Honors, departmental honors, Phi Beta Kappa) as sub-entries.

Skills guidance

Skills sit at the bottom of the page, grouped by category. Specific tools and languages only — no proficiency stars, no bar charts.

Mistakes to avoid

Bullets that describe duties without a result.
Listing a thesis title outside Education.
Self-rated proficiency labels (5/5, ★★★★).
Photos or decorative headers.

Frequently asked questions about the UChicago resume format

Where does my BA Thesis title go?

Under the degree line in Education. UChicago Career Advancement specifically recommends naming the thesis because it's often the strongest sustained work an undergraduate has produced.

Does UChicago treat the resume differently for industry vs. consulting?

The skeleton is identical; the bullets shift emphasis. For consulting/finance, foreground quantitative outcomes. For industry/research, foreground methodology and shipped output.

Can I include my Core curriculum work?

Only if it's specifically relevant. UChicago Career Advancement notes that Core mentions often read as filler unless tied to a specific course or sequence.

ResumeStudio Editorial Team

Career coaching and hiring-side experience, written into practical resume and job-search advice.

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