Academic CV vs Work CV

I have seen a growing number of students submitting their work CV as part of their college application, don’t make this mistake. Your work CV is for applying for jobs, but your academic CV is for applying for courses. They are two separate CVs that are written for two separate audiences. Learn why it’s important to always submit an academic CV when making a college application in New Zealand.

What is an Academic CV?

• Purpose: To showcase your academic achievements, research experience, and scholarly potential.

• Audience: Admissions committees, professors, and academic institutions.

• Key Sections:

  • Education: Degrees, institutions, dates, GPA (if relevant).

  • Research Experience: Projects, publications, thesis work.

  • Academic Achievements: Scholarships, awards, honors.

  • Teaching Experience: If applicable.

  • Conferences & Presentations: Papers presented, seminars attended.

  • Skills: Academic-related (e.g., research tools, languages).

• Tone: Formal, scholarly, focused on intellectual contributions.

Why Submitting a Work CV for College Applications is a Mistake

• Admissions committees want to see academic potential, not just job history.

• A work CV often lacks details about research, publications, or academic awards.

• It signals misunderstanding of academic norms, which can hurt credibility.

• If you are thinking about applying for a scholarship then its mandatory to submit.

Why an Academic CV is Essential for NZ College Applications?

• New Zealand universities value research capability, academic excellence, and scholarly engagement.

• It helps them assess if you’re prepared for the rigor of the program.

• For postgraduate programs, it’s often a mandatory requirement.

Here’s a sample Academic CV template tailored for New Zealand college applications. It’s structured to highlight academic achievements, research, and scholarly potential:

Sample Academic CV

Full Name
Address | Phone | Email | LinkedIn (optional)

1. Personal Statement

A brief paragraph (3–4 sentences) summarizing your academic interests, research goals, and why you’re applying for the program.

2. Education

• Master of Science in [Field] – [University Name], [Country]
  Expected Completion: Month Year

• Bachelor of Science in [Field] – [University Name], [Country]
  Graduated: Month Year | GPA: X.X/4.0

3. Research Experience

• Research Assistant – [Institution/Department], [Dates]
  Project Title: [Brief description of research focus, methods, and outcomes]

• Undergraduate Thesis: [Title]
  Summary: [One sentence about your findings or contribution]

4. Publications & Presentations

• [Author(s)]. Title of Paper. Journal Name, Year.

• Conference Presentation: Title, [Conference Name], [Year].

5. Academic Achievements

• Scholarship: [Name of Scholarship], [Year].

• Award: [Name of Award], [Year].

6. Relevant Coursework

• [Course Name] – [Brief description if relevant to program]

• [Course Name]

7. Skills

• Research Tools: [SPSS, MATLAB, R, etc.]

• Technical Skills: [Lab techniques, programming languages]

• Languages: [English (IELTS/TOEFL score if applicable), other languages]

8. Professional Memberships (Optional)

• Member, [Association Name]

Copy and paste this format to start writing an academic CV. Don’t forget to attach your SOP when making any college application. Be prepared to be shortlisted and invited for an interview. Once you have received a conditional offer letter, it’s an immediate validation that all the steps that you followed and applications that you drafted hit the right spot. You should be very pleased for completing this journey.

If you would like me to review your academic CV book a call

See you next time

Cheers, Jinny