Include CV or not?

[smilax]

When there is a place to upload a CV/Resume on the application, but the program doesn't mention it as a requirement or anywhere else, what is everyone doing?

I'd rather include a CV, since it's a simple, compact way of showing things I've done that I can't work into my SOP and that may or may not be in my recommendation letters.

On the other hand, "The program to which you are applying may not require a Resume or CV. Please adhere to the specific requirements of the program." (UCLA) sounds pretty straight-forward. Still, not requiring it isn't the same as forbidding it, and if they don't want to look at it they don't have to, right?

[waparys]

Unless there's an explicit warning such as the one you cite, I say submit. This discussion is also going on in a different thread...I forget which one. But the consensus is to submit a resume, but not exceed the maximum lengths of other documents.

[smilax]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. Follow-up question: do I include unrelated employment history (summer jobs and such)?

[mostlytoasty]

I would definitely submit a CV. All of the schools I am applying to require one.

Smilax: depends on how unrelated they are. I'd forego listing jobs like restaurant hostess...speaking from experience...but stuff that has to do with teaching/education, writing, community development, non-profit work, etc. might be good to list.

Follow-up to the follow-up: should I include non-academic publications? They're the only kind of publications that I have (from editorial internships, freelance work, and jobs at magazines).

Edited November 29, 2012 by mostlytoasty

[smilax]

I would definitely include them. Showing that you have writing/publication experience can only be helpful.

[DontHate]

I actually think that when they ask about "publications," they specifically mean academic journals. I don't think being published in a different context is relevant. But that's just how I interpret the applications.

[Dark Matter]

Krikey. No one expects or even wants you guys to have publications already. And, sure send in a CV, or don't. It won't matter. Of the thousands of applications I've read over the years, I've never once bothered to look at the CV. It's the SOP, the writing sample, scores/grades, and recs, in roughly that order, give or take with some nuance for individual cases. But CVs, whatever ... really. And publications!? Whatever X2

[svnhkay]

Krikey. No one expects or even wants you guys to have publications already. And, sure send in a CV, or don't. It won't matter. Of the thousands of applications I've read over the years, I've never once bothered to look at the CV. It's the SOP, the writing sample, scores/grades, and recs, in roughly that order, give or take with some nuance for individual cases. But CVs, whatever ... really. And publications!? Whatever X2

I'm having trouble finding the words that express how much I hope this is true. I tend toward hysterics when I read that a school requires a CV submission because mine is so incredibly weak. I just want to read and learn stuff! I was a timid undergraduate! Forgive me for missed opportunities!

I made quite an impression on (and was practically adopted by) my undergraduate department. My LoRs are in the bag. I have had a lot of help and support from my mentors over the years, and I am confident that I will get my WS and SoPs where they need to be. But my GRE and GPA scores are adequate at best, and I always feel like a CV will side with the GRE/GPA to weigh my application down. I want the work to really shine for itself; my CV is nothing but further proof that I just waited tables and drank whiskey through all the parts of college that didn't require me to read and write critically.

[somer8077]

I know this is diverges from the conversation thus far, but would anyone care to give their opinion on my dilemma regarding the CV?

I'm including the title of my Master's thesis in my CV, and am wondering if I should include the supervisor's name if the prof is 1) super famous in the field 2) s/he is not writing my LOR because I didn't develop a particularly good relationship with him/her.

As terrible as it is, I guess I'm just wondering if the prof's "name value," despite the lack of an LOR, will somehow get the adcomm to look at my app twice.

Opinions? [Thanks! ]

Edited December 14, 2012 by somer8077

[ktwho]

I'm also interested to know this because although he's in a different (but related) field, my BA thesis advisor is close friends with committee members. He isn't one of my recommenders, although we are still in touch. Mention him on CV or no?

[1Q84]

I want the work to really shine for itself; my CV is nothing but further proof that I just waited tables and drank whiskey through all the parts of college that didn't require me to read and write critically.

Thank you! Finally someone else here who isn't some super genius, 16 year old PhD applicant who has 5 publications and 10 conference presentations under their belt.

I really want to know where all of the other non-cyborg applicants are. The time I spent after undergrad was somewhat related to the field but most of it was not... it was spent in the "real world," (service industry, office jobs, etc.) Do adcomms really look down on that or do they know that people who do things other than academics can still be pretty good candidates as well?

[lisajay]

Finally someone else here who isn't some super genius, 16 year old PhD applicant

hey, i'm 30...

[rems]

I know this is diverges from the conversation thus far, but would anyone care to give their opinion on my dilemma regarding the CV?

I'm including the title of my Master's thesis in my CV, and am wondering if I should include the supervisor's name if the prof is 1) super famous in the field 2) s/he is not writing my LOR because I didn't develop a particularly good relationship with him/her.

As terrible as it is, I guess I'm just wondering if the prof's "name value," despite the lack of an LOR, will somehow get the adcomm to look at my app twice.

Opinions? [Thanks! ]

My CV has my thesis adviser's name on it, but I did that because a lot of the examples I looked at for CV's listed the chair's name. It wasn't for any other reason. So I assume it might be common practice to as much.

[ktwho]

32 over here.

[practical cat]

I didn't because I'm trying not to draw too much attention to the fact that my thesis was done within my advisor's department/discipline. But I'm having an especially difficult time managing my interdisciplinarity.

[DontHate]

Here's a question that didn't occur to me before: does it matter whether you format it as a resume or a CV? Or is it basically all the same?

[1Q84]

hey, i'm 30...

32 over here.

27 here and only applying to my MA... so I'll be in your shoes soon too. :/

My point was... it seems like everyone here is the perfect applicant. It was good to see someone saying that they lived a "normal" life during undergrad too.

[DontHate]

27 here and only applying to my MA... so I'll be in your shoes soon too. :/

My point was... it seems like everyone here is the perfect applicant. It was good to see someone saying that they lived a "normal" life during undergrad too.

I don't think anyone on here feels like they are the perfect applicant. Otherwise they wouldn't be on here.

[Datatape]

Here's a question that didn't occur to me before: does it matter whether you format it as a resume or a CV? Or is it basically all the same?

It's six of one, half-dozen of the other. That's why most programs list it as "Resume/CV."

[1Q84]

I don't think anyone on here feels like they are the perfect applicant. Otherwise they wouldn't be on here.

I didn't say people proclaimed themselves to be perfect candidates. My perspective is that everyone else is a perfect candidate.

[waparys]

Here's a question that didn't occur to me before: does it matter whether you format it as a resume or a CV? Or is it basically all the same?

A CV is more focused on authored papers, presentations at conferences, reviews, editing, classes taught, etc.

A resume is what us underachieving folk submit.

Edit: A resume is typically no more than a page. A CV can go on for decades.

Edited December 15, 2012 by waparys

[ktwho]

Well, I missed the midnight deadline last night, but I had upload a brand spanking new cv. Great. If you have a resume, just send it in. They won't care!

[practical cat]

I feel like GradCafe is more Island of Misfit Toys than a congregation of perfect people. I say that with love, as a misfit toy.