CV Format

[Swedishcoffee]

I currently have my work experience at the top of my CV, as I've worked full time for two years now. Recently, however, I spoke with someone at my undergraduate institution who suggested that when applying to grad school, candidates should put education at the top. He said to especially do so because I received a 4.0, Phi Beta Kappa, etc. That's the first time I've heard that advice, though, and I'm curious how applicants for HKS, SIPA, SAIS, SFS, etc. typically structure their CVs.

 

What do you all think? Undergrad at the top or "Relevant Work Experience" at the top?

 

Do you think time out of undergrad and things like grades should affect whether one puts their education at the top?

 

Thanks!

[garlica]

I am personally going to put the education at the top. My reasons:

-aesthetic: the education section is smaller than work experience (at least for me),

-Its a refresher/preview on what is reflected on transcripts

-chrological: it shows what you were carrying going into your work experience

 

However when push comes to shove it probably doesn't matter what the order is.

[excusemyfrench]

I've only heard the "put Education up top" advice if you have zero to very little work experience. Why would you switch it up if you have significant years out in the real/professional world... Plus they're going to look over your entire application so they'll see your stellar academic record anyway.

[NPRjunkie]

Two years makes you hardly out of diapers. Put your education on top. You're applying to a graduate program, therefore your undergrad. education and performance are especially important to them anyway. You should not even be calling it your 'CV' if we're being anal, here.

Your education takes less precedence once you've had many years experience in one field and consistently in one job. "Any experience above zero" does not count as that. I'd say five years minimum, but unless you've reached a point where you're a hot commodity based on your experience, don't put your education anywhere but the top. It's most definitely what is expected and you'd look like a weirdo if you're in your 20s (with 2 whole years experience) and you didn't.

Edited November 26, 2013 by NPRjunkie

[Swedishcoffee]

I only say CV because that's the language a few schools are using (whether it's apt or not). I had a conversation about my "resume" with someone from one of my top-choice schools' admissions teams, and he corrected me that they wanted "more of a CV, not a resume" (even though the average student there only has has a few years of experience). Maybe it's their way of getting more granularity of one's experience, maybe their intent is to cater to international students from places where CVs are more standard, who knows.

 

Thanks! Sounds like education at the top it is.

[NPRjunkie]

I only say CV because that's the language a few schools are using (whether it's apt or not). I had a conversation about my "resume" with someone from one of my top-choice schools' admissions teams, and he corrected me that they wanted "more of a CV, not a resume" (even though the average student there only has has a few years of experience). Maybe it's their way of getting more granularity of one's experience, maybe their intent is to cater to international students from places where CVs are more standard, who knows.

 

Thanks! Sounds like education at the top it is.

 

I know, sorry. I was really directing my comment toward the schools, not you. They say CV because CVs are longer which allows applicants to include extraneous details about the meaningless/fluffed up endeavors of their undergrad. careers. But I digress...

Good luck! 2 years should put you in the average range for schools like SAIS.