Including CV in Applications

[Eliza123]

Hi all,

I will be applying to grad schools this year and I've noticed many schools do not require you to send in your cv with your application. I've been working a museum for the last 2 years of my undergrad, and have worked 2 jobs (+ a bunch of extracuriculars) during the 4 years of my degree. I feel as though my marks would be higher if I hadn't worked so much, and gotten involved in less extra-curicular things, but overall working in an art gallery has helped me make contacts and helped me decide what I want to do later on. Should I include my CV even though they don't require it? I'm feeling slightly insecure because a lot of other students I know have never had a job or gotten involved in anything at school. My cgpa is very good for art history, but 8.7 (out of 10 - canadian scale) overall. I guess I feel guilty for focusing so much on things other than school the last four years. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. I'm feeling quite discouraged. Many thanks! Isadora

[Bearcat1]

If the CV isn't required, perhaps you could work the art gallery at least into your Statement of Purpose? Most of them ask about experiences that have prepared you for grad school, so even if they don't ask that specifically, I would think it wouldn't seem strange to include that. If working at the art gallery is how you realized you wanted to pursue graduate studies, then I think you should most definitely include that. I don't think you should send an unsolicited CV, though. I hope that helps!

[anonymousbequest]

It would be relevant to mention any curatorial or research assistant positions, and any work on specific exhibitions. Also, and I'm sure you know this, but any contributions to catalogues would be important. However, at your level if you wrote an exhibition brochure or pamphlet, as well as any articles on art topics for a members' magazine or the like would also count as publications. There may be a section for publications on the application where you could work these in. Also mention either in your SOP or the appropriate place on the application any public lectures you have given. If your work at the museum has been answering phones, manning the entrance desk, inputting data into Raiser's Edge or TMS, etc... it won't be relevant and you don't need to focus on it.

I'd be interested to hear what fullofpink has to add, I think she is a curatorial assistant and might have dealt with this during the course of her application seasons.

[fullofpink]

Thanks for thinking of me, Anonymousbequest, and your are correct - I have had to face this issue. My CV is a wonderful and meticulously crafted document (I love updating it! I know that's weird!) and it pains me that some of the schools are not interested in it, at all. However, BEHOLD! - most schools have some form or document that they want you to fill out that speaks of your previous experiences/publications/presentations and allots room for the most relevant of information. I think that this allows the committee to bypass bad CVS/resumes (trust me, I've seen a few (and by a few, I mean a lot. It really helps to speak to your career counselor at school, guys!!!)) and really lets you know what experiences they are truly interested in.