Extracurricular Activities on CV

[edost]

What kind of extracurricular activities should be included in my resume, if I'm applying for Political Science and Communications programs? I have two activities in particular that I wonder whether or not to include - one was a group that combined studying Jewish and general philosophy with volunteering, and another is a group focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Also, if I do include them, how much space should I devote to describing what I did as part of these activities?

[rising_star]

First, you should be submitting a CV, not a resume. Second, nothing you've listed should be included on a CV.

[Timshel]

I don't know......I feel like relevant extracurriculars could be advantageous depending on what else is on the CV.

[rising_star]

To show the admissions committee what, Timshel? That you have other interests? They *know* that already.

[ktel]

The only EC I ever list on a resume/CV now is that I'm a varsity athlete, because I often get a lot of good feedback about that and people like to see it usually

[Timshel]

To show the admissions committee what, Timshel? That you have other interests? They *know* that already.

I've been told by professors that if you belong to organizations or participate in clubs that relate to your field and have relevancy, then you should add that (to a grad school application, not when applying for a job).

Also, I'm not sure why your responses to me and the OP are so hostile and condescending.

[dimanche0829]

I've been told by professors that if you belong to organizations or participate in clubs that relate to your field and have relevancy, then you should add that (to a grad school application, not when applying for a job).

Also, I'm not sure why your responses to me and the OP are so hostile and condescending.

I've heard the same thing. In fact, several of the programs I'm applying to have encouraged listing extracurricular activities. Perhaps the social sciences are different. When in doubt, OP, you can always send a quick e-mail to the program and find out whether this is something they have a particular preference on.

[rising_star]

Timshel, I think you're confusing blunt with hostile/condescending. I'm a busy person so I don't tend to couch my advice in subtleties and niceties to avoid hurting people's feelings.

But really, you're applying for a position as an instructor (if you want a TA position) and researcher. No one cares if you were the star in the school musical or joined a bunch of groups. If you held a leadership position then it might (emphasis on might) be worth listing in a CV. But, a CV is focused on one's academic accomplishments, not on one's interests and non-academic activities and pursuits. For example, I train capoeira. That is an activity I am committed to and involved in, including helping to plan events. That does not mean that I have or would ever list that on a CV.

Listing a bunch of extracurricular clubs that you joined is padding. If you want to better understand what goes on a CV, search this forum for posts or search the web.

[Timshel]

I agree with you, which is why I said RELEVANT extracurriculars. "School musicals" would not fall under relevant to most programs. But as the chair of the Graduate English Association (a relevant extracurricular), we held many workshops for students on what to put on applications, CVs, and how to get into PhD programs, and they have all said that you can put them on if they show commitment to the field or add to your application in some way.

We are both entitled to our opinions, and I just feel that you can give advice and be helpful without making someone feel stupid for asking. Isn't that the point of this forum to begin with?

But I digress.....I know how busy of a person you are.

[CitizenHobbes]

What kind of extracurricular activities should be included in my resume, if I'm applying for Political Science and Communications programs? I have two activities in particular that I wonder whether or not to include - one was a group that combined studying Jewish and general philosophy with volunteering, and another is a group focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Also, if I do include them, how much space should I devote to describing what I did as part of these activities?

Upon first reading of the OP, I would first ask what area in political science you're interested in. Looking at the extracurriculars you've listed, I'd have to assume that you're interested in the middle east? I would suggest including both activities, since they're relevant and show that you can engage your field of research both within and outside the traditional sphere of academic research.

[runonsentence]

I agree with you, which is why I said RELEVANT extracurriculars. "School musicals" would not fall under relevant to most programs. But as the chair of the Graduate English Association (a relevant extracurricular), we held many workshops for students on what to put on applications, CVs, and how to get into PhD programs, and they have all said that you can put them on if they show commitment to the field or add to your application in some way.

I think the difference here is that something similar to this example would fall under "Service" on a CV. Other groups that can be construed as extra-curriculars in undergrad (like honors societies) can get listed under honors/awards.

I think my advice to the OP would be to avoid adding a section called "extra curriculars" to your CV and instead think about whether these activities can be spun and put into sections like "Related Professional Experience" and "Service." Such a move helps show the committee why they should care about your membership in these groups; if you find that you have trouble spinning these experiences into categories like professional experience or service, then it might mean that these experiences aren't relevant to your future career as a graduate student and shouldn't be listed on the CV.

If you do decide to list on your CV anyway, you only need list any officerships held and dates.

And last: if the application form asks you to list extra-curriculars, then by all means list them on the application itself.

[Timshel]

I think the difference here is that something similar to this example would fall under "Service" on a CV. Other groups that can be construed as extra-curriculars in undergrad (like honors societies) can get listed under honors/awards.

I think my advice to the OP would be to avoid adding a section called "extra curriculars" to your CV and instead think about whether these activities can be spun and put into sections like "Related Professional Experience" and "Service." Such a move helps show the committee why they should care about your membership in these groups; if you find that you have trouble spinning these experiences into categories like professional experience or service, then it might mean that these experiences aren't relevant to your future career as a graduate student and shouldn't be listed on the CV.

If you do decide to list on your CV anyway, you only need list any officerships held and dates.

And last: if the application form asks you to list extra-curriculars, then by all means list them on the application itself.

Thank you! I agree 100%

[edost]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I shouldn't include the philosophy thing, and the one about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be on the CVs I send to the more conflict-oriented programs I'm applying to.