I'm deferring my 1st year of graduate education. Should I note that on my resume?

[sevyn731]

I got in to my 2nd choice school not to long ago, but unfortunately wont be able to attend this fall b/c I can't afford my tuition. I can't get a loan due to credit card debt (approx $4k).

What I would like to do is spend the next year applying for scholarships and working off my debt, but obviously I need a decent paying job/ year long internship to do so. I'm planning on sending my resume cover letter and work sample to a number of firms and agencies specializing in landscape design and planning, most of them in the city my graduate school is in. Should I note in my resume/cover letter that I will be attending grad school in a year same city or not?

[lydibird]

For applying for jobs I wouldn't mention it on your resume. I was in a really similar position this last year (deferred admission to MS program for financial reasons) and it took me nearly 6 months to find a job, largely because I couldn't bring myself to lie about my plans for grad school. I had several good interviews but they all wanted to hire someone who could stay on for several years or earn their degree while working for them. Unless they specifically ask about grad school plans don't mention it. If they do, try not to let on that you're planning on leaving in a year. It's probably different for an internship or for temp positions, though, as they would expect you to move on after a while.

[sevyn731]

For applying for jobs I wouldn't mention it on your resume. I was in a really similar position this last year (deferred admission to MS program for financial reasons) and it took me nearly 6 months to find a job, largely because I couldn't bring myself to lie about my plans for grad school. I had several good interviews but they all wanted to hire someone who could stay on for several years or earn their degree while working for them. Unless they specifically ask about grad school plans don't mention it. If they do, try not to let on that you're planning on leaving in a year. It's probably different for an internship or for temp positions, though, as they would expect you to move on after a while.

I'm definitely finding it hard to lie about getting into grad school, especially since it is a top tier program. If i want to pay off my debts I need to work, so "lie" I must.

[michigan girl]

sevyn731, I find it hard to believe that you cannot afford graduate school because you have $4,000 in credit card debt. Have you been making payments? Are you delinquent on your credit cards? Is your credit score low?

Graduate students have the option to pursue GradPLUS and unbsudizied Stafford loans. I have my share of student loan/credit card debt, but I have never been deemed ineligible for student loans.

[sevyn731]

sevyn731, I find it hard to believe that you cannot afford graduate school because you have $4,000 in credit card debt. Have you been making payments? Are you delinquent on your credit cards? Is your credit score low?

Graduate students have the option to pursue GradPLUS and unbsudizied Stafford loans. I have my share of student loan/credit card debt, but I have never been deemed ineligible for student loans.

Low credit score. I had to use my credit card to pay my tuition one summer. My parents were helping me pay it off, but then one of them got laid off and couldn't help any longer. I've been trying to pay it off, but with no steady employment while I was in school it was easier said than done.

[kateausten]

Do not put it on your resume unless it's the same city and your program has a part-time option so you could reasonably claim that you plan to continue working full-time all through the degree. Most employers don't want to hire someone who will only be there a year (even though that's a typical tenure at a job for a young person these days, they want to think you'll be around awhile).