my academic resume is embarrassing

[Bob]

i have one semester of extracurricular activities and only one honor (dean's list for one semester). i hope admissions councils don't actually read it. i hope they just see my GPA, my LSAT, and my picture and say "let's let this handsome devil in, we don't need to look at anything else".

even my work experience is a little lame. i've only had one job since i started college (although i've been very good at it) and i've never worked during a semester. man oh man. my professor wants it before he writes a letter of recommendation. so embarrassing.

you're only supposed to put college stuff on these, right? i did a bunch of stuff in high school, but i don't think i'm supposed to put that stuff on here. what about work experience? should i only put on jobs i've had since college? i mean, it's not like "fry cook, summers 2001-2003" is terrifically impressive or anything, but at least it's something else to put on.

[kaiser soze]

better start pimpin'

[marsdaddy]

I expect a 70's porn bass line to kick in as the admissions folks are reading your transcripts.

[jabumbo]

at least you have a QPA

[kaiser soze]

how do you measure a QPA?

[Bob]

what's a QPA?

[ms.peachy]

Find a way to say that you read lots and lots of books. This is especially good if it's true, but it doesn't have to be - but do make sure you can talk knowledgeably about some books and authors of you get called on it. It worked for me - on one form I remember putting something to the effect of "unfortunately my passion for reading leaves me little time for social clubs" or something, and when I had an interview I was asked about it and I basically just said "I just love reading; I know some people really thrive on being involved in group or club things and it's not that I don't like being around people, but I can't help it, I really enjoy a good book more than, say, building a homecoming float." And then we had a nice conversation about John Steinbeck and Henry David Thoreau and Willa Cather. (Of course, it did actually help that I'd read loads of books by John Steinbeck, Henry David Thoreau, and Willa Cather.)

[Bob]

Find a way to say that you read lots and lots of books. This is especially good if it's true, but it doesn't have to be - but do make sure you can talk knowledgeably about some books and authors of you get called on it. It worked for me - on one form I remember putting something to the effect of "unfortunately my passion for reading leaves me little time for social clubs" or something, and when I had an interview I was asked about it and I basically just said "I just love reading; I know some people really thrive on being involved in group or club things and it's not that I don't like being around people, but I can't help it, I really enjoy a good book more than, say, building a homecoming float." And then we had a nice conversation about John Steinbeck and Henry David Thoreau and Willa Cather. (Of course, it did actually help that I'd read loads of books by John Steinbeck, Henry David Thoreau, and Willa Cather.)

that's absoultely brilliant, i'm definitely going to do that. i'm not a "prolific" reader by general standards, but i'd say i do a fair bit more pleasure reading than your average college student. thanks for that!

[jabumbo]

what's a QPA?

i think technically all colleges use a QPA, not a GPA. because classes are worth different amounts of credits, they weigh different amounts.

like, an A is worth 4 points per credit, a B is 3 and so on...


basically- that 4 credit science class or 5 credit language class will effect your overall average more. thats how it was explained to me. the Grade Point Average system gives each letter grade the same weight, no matter the credits, and the Quality Point Average weighs in the credits that go along with the course. its important because otherwise that A you got for showing up to a seminar isn't as beneficial as all the work you would have to put in for any regular course

[Gareth]

Find a way to say that you read lots and lots of books. This is especially good if it's true, but it doesn't have to be - but do make sure you can talk knowledgeably about some books and authors of you get called on it. It worked for me - on one form I remember putting something to the effect of "unfortunately my passion for reading leaves me little time for social clubs" or something, and when I had an interview I was asked about it and I basically just said "I just love reading; I know some people really thrive on being involved in group or club things and it's not that I don't like being around people, but I can't help it, I really enjoy a good book more than, say, building a homecoming float." And then we had a nice conversation about John Steinbeck and Henry David Thoreau and Willa Cather. (Of course, it did actually help that I'd read loads of books by John Steinbeck, Henry David Thoreau, and Willa Cather.)

could that not also backfire?
what if interviewers or whatever are looking for someone with social skills?
as far as i can tell, leadership skills and ability to work within a team etc seem to be sought after attributes.

[cookiepuss]

it always seemed to me that being on the Dean's list sounded more like you were a trouble maker rather than a good student.

I guess that's because in high school, our dean always held detention.

[Bob]

could that not also backfire?
what if interviewers or whatever are looking for someone with social skills?
as far as i can tell, leadership skills and ability to work within a team etc seem to be sought after attributes.

yeah but i don't have them, so i'd like to distract attention from that fact

anyway the resume is just for applying to law schools, not employers, and i've got other attributes to help me out there (LSAT and GPA are the big ones). i figure if i graduate law school, that in itself should be a rather decent thing to put on a resume

[Sarky Devotchka]

you should've joined a fraternity! make one up. and then when you get caught, just say you were the only member, then punch them in the face and run as fast as you can.

[ms.peachy]

could that not also backfire?
what if interviewers or whatever are looking for someone with social skills?
as far as i can tell, leadership skills and ability to work within a team etc seem to be sought after attributes.
Well, I was under the impression he's applying to another academic institution, not for a job, so although leadership and social skills are important, so is being well-read and able to focus the mind - so I don't see why it would 'backfire' per se. It's not like he's applying to be the football coach.

[Bob]

Well, I was under the impression he's applying to another academic institution, not for a job, so although leadership and social skills are important, so is being well-read and able to focus the mind - so I don't see why it would 'backfire' per se. It's not like he's applying to be the football coach.

penalty! penalty! i refer you to section 3.5 clause A of the rulebook

i believe there is a precedent in duke vs. usc

[abcdefz]

(Of course, it did actually help that I'd read loads of books by John Steinbeck, Henry David Thoreau, and Willa Cather.)



...I'm trying to turn my mom on to Willa Cather. She's reading some Christian shlock prarie novels, and I'm like, "Ma, if you want the real thing...."

Maybe I should just leave her alone. She can hardly walk. But it's an affrontary, by God. :mad:


Sorry. That was a digression.

Back to you, Bob.

[Qdrop]

Bob,
it looks like you'll have to sleep your way to the top.