Fred Garvin

Even if you don't think the particular place where you will be studying or working will care one way or the another, the wise thing would be for you to assume it will have some type of negative implication for you.  If you're okay with that, then proceed. 
 
Remember that supervisors aren't always completely candid about the basis of their decisions.  Distaste for tattoos or negative conclusions drawn from them could be couched in a phrase like, "We think you should get the benefit of a little more time in your current position," or "It's that other person's time."  That's all it takes.
 
As a former supervisor, I have to be honest and say that a tattoo these days says only one thing to me: "Follower."  It's become such a trend/fad that people with no ink are the ones who stand out.  Professors and HR people who value individual identity, personal confidence and innovation might see it the same way.     
 
It's the same sense of irony I get when I see a pack of people on noisy Harleys rumble by, attired in all the requisite Harley leather, doo-rags, and goatees.  They're all being rebels...  together.  That always makes me chuckle... 

I think ScarvesandCardigans put it better than I did.

Things like tattoos, nose rings, studs, etc. can be an unintentional distraction from a real intellectual/professional contribution a person is making. Or they could be a deliberate attempt to distract people from the fact that one doesn't have much to offer.

Even if the latter isn't true, why risk it?

To use an extreme example, Lady GaGa knows how to attract the cameras, but what does she have to say? Bob Dylan is a mumbling hermit who shuns the media, yet people quote his lyrics like scripture.

I'm not saying everyone thinks like me or that anyone else should think like me. And please keep in mind that I'm speaking strictly within a professional context.

Tattoos are tricky because, unlike our favorite pair of sweats, they can't be left at home when it's time to go to work. I just thought there might be some benefit to presenting an alternative point of view given that the general tone of the thread seems to be one of "Go for it, don't sweat it. A lot of people have them these days. No big deal."

In some cases it can be a big deal, thus I think it merits some careful thought. Although not everyone thinks like me, there are some who do, and you likely won't be able to readily identify them. I think the wise thing would be to assume the worst case scenario, then decide if that's a price you're willing to pay for a tattoo.

I think ScarvesandCardigans put it better than I did.

Things like tattoos, nose rings, studs, etc. can be an unintentional distraction from a real intellectual/professional contribution a person is making. Or they could be a deliberate attempt to distract people from the fact that one doesn't have much to offer.

Even if the latter isn't true, why risk it?

To use an extreme example, Lady GaGa knows how to attract the cameras, but what does she have to say? Bob Dylan is a mumbling hermit who shuns the media, yet people quote his lyrics like scripture.

I'm not saying everyone thinks like me or that anyone else should think like me. And please keep in mind that I'm speaking strictly within a professional context.

Tattoos are tricky because, unlike our favorite pair of sweats, they can't be left at home when it's time to go to work. I just thought there might be some benefit to presenting an alternative point of view given that the general tone of the thread seems to be one of "Go for it, don't sweat it. A lot of people have them these days. No big deal."

In some cases it can be a big deal, thus I think it merits some careful thought. Although not everyone thinks like me, there are some who do, and you likely won't be able to readily identify them. I think the wise thing would be to assume the worst case scenario, then decide if that's a price you're willing to pay for a tattoo.

Hi Cheshire Cat, sorry for the delayed response.

This is in reference to the question you asked about the two classes I'm auditing at an area community college. Given that they're stats and accounting, they have prerequisites, but in my case all I did was show the registrar my undergrad transcript. After that I was off and running.

It's been a godsend. I've done all the homework and taken all the tests to measure my understanding but it's knowledge purely for knowledge's sake. No grade, no credit, no pressure.

Those will come soon enough when I begin my graduate studies, but this audit thing will leave me feeling much better prepared and thus more confident. That alone justifies the expense, time and effort. It's one of the best ideas I've had in a very long time.

I think ScarvesandCardigans put it better than I did.

Things like tattoos, nose rings, studs, etc. can be an unintentional distraction from a real intellectual/professional contribution a person is making. Or they could be a deliberate attempt to distract people from the fact that one doesn't have much to offer.

Even if the latter isn't true, why risk it?

To use an extreme example, Lady GaGa knows how to attract the cameras, but what does she have to say? Bob Dylan is a mumbling hermit who shuns the media, yet people quote his lyrics like scripture.

I'm not saying everyone thinks like me or that anyone else should think like me. And please keep in mind that I'm speaking strictly within a professional context.

Tattoos are tricky because, unlike our favorite pair of sweats, they can't be left at home when it's time to go to work. I just thought there might be some benefit to presenting an alternative point of view given that the general tone of the thread seems to be one of "Go for it, don't sweat it. A lot of people have them these days. No big deal."

In some cases it can be a big deal, thus I think it merits some careful thought. Although not everyone thinks like me, there are some who do, and you likely won't be able to readily identify them. I think the wise thing would be to assume the worst case scenario, then decide if that's a price you're willing to pay for a tattoo.

Even if you don't think the particular place where you will be studying or working will care one way or the another, the wise thing would be for you to assume it will have some type of negative implication for you.  If you're okay with that, then proceed. 
 
Remember that supervisors aren't always completely candid about the basis of their decisions.  Distaste for tattoos or negative conclusions drawn from them could be couched in a phrase like, "We think you should get the benefit of a little more time in your current position," or "It's that other person's time."  That's all it takes.
 
As a former supervisor, I have to be honest and say that a tattoo these days says only one thing to me: "Follower."  It's become such a trend/fad that people with no ink are the ones who stand out.  Professors and HR people who value individual identity, personal confidence and innovation might see it the same way.     
 
It's the same sense of irony I get when I see a pack of people on noisy Harleys rumble by, attired in all the requisite Harley leather, doo-rags, and goatees.  They're all being rebels...  together.  That always makes me chuckle... 

Even if you don't think the particular place where you will be studying or working will care one way or the another, the wise thing would be for you to assume it will have some type of negative implication for you.  If you're okay with that, then proceed. 
 
Remember that supervisors aren't always completely candid about the basis of their decisions.  Distaste for tattoos or negative conclusions drawn from them could be couched in a phrase like, "We think you should get the benefit of a little more time in your current position," or "It's that other person's time."  That's all it takes.
 
As a former supervisor, I have to be honest and say that a tattoo these days says only one thing to me: "Follower."  It's become such a trend/fad that people with no ink are the ones who stand out.  Professors and HR people who value individual identity, personal confidence and innovation might see it the same way.     
 
It's the same sense of irony I get when I see a pack of people on noisy Harleys rumble by, attired in all the requisite Harley leather, doo-rags, and goatees.  They're all being rebels...  together.  That always makes me chuckle... 

Even if you don't think the particular place where you will be studying or working will care one way or the another, the wise thing would be for you to assume it will have some type of negative implication for you.  If you're okay with that, then proceed. 
 
Remember that supervisors aren't always completely candid about the basis of their decisions.  Distaste for tattoos or negative conclusions drawn from them could be couched in a phrase like, "We think you should get the benefit of a little more time in your current position," or "It's that other person's time."  That's all it takes.
 
As a former supervisor, I have to be honest and say that a tattoo these days says only one thing to me: "Follower."  It's become such a trend/fad that people with no ink are the ones who stand out.  Professors and HR people who value individual identity, personal confidence and innovation might see it the same way.     
 
It's the same sense of irony I get when I see a pack of people on noisy Harleys rumble by, attired in all the requisite Harley leather, doo-rags, and goatees.  They're all being rebels...  together.  That always makes me chuckle... 

Even if you don't think the particular place where you will be studying or working will care one way or the another, the wise thing would be for you to assume it will have some type of negative implication for you.  If you're okay with that, then proceed. 
 
Remember that supervisors aren't always completely candid about the basis of their decisions.  Distaste for tattoos or negative conclusions drawn from them could be couched in a phrase like, "We think you should get the benefit of a little more time in your current position," or "It's that other person's time."  That's all it takes.
 
As a former supervisor, I have to be honest and say that a tattoo these days says only one thing to me: "Follower."  It's become such a trend/fad that people with no ink are the ones who stand out.  Professors and HR people who value individual identity, personal confidence and innovation might see it the same way.     
 
It's the same sense of irony I get when I see a pack of people on noisy Harleys rumble by, attired in all the requisite Harley leather, doo-rags, and goatees.  They're all being rebels...  together.  That always makes me chuckle... 

Your nationality would matter to me, but in nothing but good ways. Unfortunately I don't chair any admissions committees, but if I did...

I'm a great admirer of Iranian - Persian - history and culture. I also knew a couple first generation Iranian-American students as an undergrad and they were incredibly kind and educated people. Their families were great as well. Finally, I know that Cyrus the Great was a champion of religious freedom and free political expression... and that was 2500 years ago!

If there's one country in that region I hope the West can eventually come to an understanding with, it is Iran. The similarities between our respective peoples far exceed the differences.

Best of luck to you...