The “Brag Sheet” Revisited: Using It to Power Your Resume AND Recommendations
By Peter M on Updated:
You’ve probably heard about making a “brag sheet” for your teachers or counselors when asking for recommendation letters. That’s important! But a truly great brag sheet does much more. Think of it as your personal database of accomplishments. With the right brag sheet tips, this document becomes a powerful tool not just for getting great letters, but also for finding amazing resume content ideas and building your activity lists and portfolios. but also for finding amazing resume content ideas and building your activity lists and portfolios. You can even use platforms like Cirkled In to organize and showcase your achievements.
What Exactly IS a Brag Sheet? (More Than Just Bragging)
A brag sheet isn’t really about bragging. It’s a detailed summary of your achievements, activities, experiences, skills, and goals during high school (or college). It gives recommenders the specific details they need to write a strong, personalized letter. It reminds you of everything you’ve accomplished. A good high school brag sheet captures the highlights of your journey. Consider using Cirkled In to help you track and present this information effectively.
Why a DETAILED Brag Sheet is Crucial
Teachers and counselors write many letters. They might not remember every detail about your involvement in a club two years ago or the specifics of your science fair project. A detailed brag sheet:
- Jogs Their Memory: Gives them concrete examples to use.
- Highlights Your Best Qualities: Allows you to frame your experiences positively.
- Saves Them Time: Makes writing a meaningful letter easier.
- Ensures Accuracy: Provides correct names, dates, and details.
- Acts as Your Master List: Helps you track everything for applications.
Step 1: Brainstorming EVERYTHING You’ve Done
Don’t filter yet! Create a master document (like a Google Doc) and start listing everything you can think of since starting high school. Use these categories to get started:
Academics and Coursework
- Challenging courses you took (AP, IB, honors)
- Favorite subjects and why
- Specific projects or papers you’re proud of (briefly describe)
- Academic awards or honors (Honor Roll, National Honor Society)
Extracurricular Activities (Clubs, Sports, Arts)
- List every club, sport, music/drama group, etc.
- Your role(s) in each (member, captain, treasurer, lead role)
- Years of involvement
- Specific contributions or achievements (organized an event, won a championship, performed a solo)
- Time commitment (hours/week, weeks/year)
Work Experience and Volunteering
- Paid jobs (include company, role, dates, key responsibilities)
- Volunteer positions (organization, role, dates, key contributions)
- Significant community service projects
Awards, Honors, and Recognitions
- Academic awards (see above)
- Activity-specific awards (MVP, competition wins, art show prizes)
- Community awards or recognitions
Skills and Projects (Including Non-Traditional)
- Technical skills (coding languages, software, lab techniques)
- Language skills (fluency levels, certifications)
- Personal projects (coding, building things, writing, art, starting something)
- Significant non-traditional activities (gaming achievements, online communities – see previous article!)
Step 2: Adding Detail – The STAR Method Can Help
For your most significant activities and achievements, add more detail. The STAR method is helpful:
- Situation: Briefly describe the context. (e.g., “Our debate team needed to raise funds…”)
- Task: What was your specific responsibility? (e.g., “…I was tasked with organizing the bake sale fundraiser.”)
- Action: What specific steps did you take? (e.g., “I created promotional flyers, coordinated baker schedules, managed the sales table…”)
- Result: What was the outcome? (e.g., “…We raised $500, exceeding our goal by 25%.”)
Adding these details is key for documenting achievements effectively.
Using Your Brag Sheet for Recommendation Letters
When you ask for a letter, give your recommender a tailored version of your brag sheet. Highlight the experiences most relevant to their class or your interactions with them. Include:
- Your name, contact info, and the list of colleges/programs you’re applying to (with deadlines!).
- A reminder of which classes you took with them and when.
- Specific projects or moments from their class you enjoyed or did well on.
- Key activities/achievements you want them to emphasize.
- A copy of your college essay draft (optional, but helpful).
- Any required forms the college needs them to fill out.
This provides excellent recommendation letter help.
Using Your Brag Sheet for Your Resume and Portfolio
Your detailed brag sheet is now a goldmine for building your resume, activities list, and portfolio!
- Activities List: Pull directly from your brag sheet, using the detailed descriptions and STAR examples to write impactful bullet points.
- Resume: Select the most impressive and relevant items for a concise, one-page resume (usually). Use action verbs and quantified results from your STAR examples.
- Portfolio: Identify projects, awards, or skills listed on your brag sheet that could be showcased visually or with more detail in a digital portfolio.
Final Thought: Your Personal Achievement Database
Stop thinking of the brag sheet as just a form for teachers. It’s your personal record, your collection of accomplishments and resume content ideas. Take the time to build a detailed one. Keep it updated. It will make asking for recommendations easier and provide a rich source of material for all your application components. This document is one of the best brag sheet tips – treat it like the valuable resource it is.
Need more tips on college applications, scholarships, or just how to survive this whole process? Cirkled In has your back—check out Cirkled In resources to help you through every step of your college journey!
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