What is a Curriculum Vitae?

A Curriculum Vitae, often abbreviated as CV, is a comprehensive document that provides an in-depth account of an individual's educational and professional background. Unlike a resume, which is typically a brief summary, a CV is usually longer and includes detailed information such as academic qualifications, work experience, publications, presentations, awards, and other relevant achievements. This format allows for a thorough presentation of one’s professional trajectory, making it particularly useful in academic, research, and medical fields.

The other choices do not accurately represent what a Curriculum Vitae entails. A summary of health achievements focuses solely on health-related milestones, lacking the broader educational and professional context. A written record of a person's financial history would be considered a financial document, which is not related to the concept of a CV. Lastly, a list of personal references is simply a component that may be included in a job application, but it does not capture the full scope of experiences and qualifications that a Curriculum Vitae is designed to convey.