Program didn't request/require Resume/CV..odd?

[ritapita]

I recently applied to a program that did not ask for a resume in the application itself nor in the department supplemental materials.  After submitting the app, I emailed the DGS and grad secretary directly and called this out, as I thought I might have missed it somewhere, and I also attached it for them.  They did reply and stated that they do not consider the resume a part of the application but that they would keep mine in my file since I sent it along.  I reviewed the app again to see how much pertinent info would be lost if I hadn't sent it, and I realized how very pared down and simplified the app for this program really was.  This bothered me.  I am keen on the program obviously, since I did apply for it, but I am wondering how on earth they can get a good sense of me as an applicant without my resume.

 

I have never seen this before in any application for masters or PhD, and I am wondering if others have encountered this as well.

[shadowclaw]

I believe two of my applications didn't require a CV. For one, there was an option on the application to upload it (I imagine other programs may have required it), so I attached it. For the other, there were various boxes on the application form to enter employment and volunteer experience.

 

I'm not sure the CV is always necessary even if a program does ask for it. For most of my applications, I repeat most of the content of my CV in other parts of the application. Research and field experience is reflected in my SOP, while school, GPA, and GRE information in entered somewhere on the application. There is generally a spot for a publication list, too. The only thing that might not show up is volunteer activities that aren't directly related to area of specialization, For example, I volunteered with a watershed group but plan on researching birds, so that particular experience wouldn't be brought up anywhere. However, my volunteer work at nature preserve involved some useful field experience, so it would come up elsewhere on the application. However, a CV or resume is a convenient way to deliver all of that information in a single quick-to-read document that the adcomm can reference at meetings or during interviews.

 

Then again, this may be application specific or even field specific. SOPs with short word limits will certainly impede your ability to include a lot of information, and a CV would really be your friend.

[ritapita]

Shadowclaw, we are in similar fields.  This app basically didn't ask for more than 3 yrs of employment, and my education history.  No volunteering, no awards, no grants, no teaching, no publications. Super limiting. It was almost like a super basic job app.  I was nice and thorough on my SOP thank goodness, but still there is only so much of that you can put in there.  All my other apps, like you mentioned, were very redundant of my CV.  I am glad they are filing mine, but it will be no good if they don't use it.  I suppose this school is very focused on SOPs and LORs.  Sucks when you are in sciences.

[LittleMac]

One of the programs I applied to didn't ask for a CV or Resume (in fact, they said explicitly that they won't review any documents beyond the ones that are required). I uploaded it anyways since I figured it couldn't hurt. Though, they did have two essays as opposed to one Statement of Purpose, an academic statement and personal statement, so there was a lot more room to flesh out what was listed in my CV. I'm assuming they did it like that for a reason.

[shadowclaw]

Perhaps the school plans on googling you to find out more information! Awards are definitely something that would be difficult to put into a SOP without sounding full of yourself. I forgot about those, and as I recall, only one of those two applications I mentioned had a spot for awards on the application (the one which I didn't upload a CV).

You could have definitely put your teaching experience down as employment, even if the only pay you got was a tuition waiver or course credit. Heck, you could have gotten away with listing volunteer work as employment and just put your position as volunteer. However, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference if the school really is focused on the SOP and LORs. Maybe that's all they really have time for. I don't know if you have contacted a POI yet, but if they have this information, perhaps they will bring it up with the adcomm.

[Texan_Air]

Two of my 11 applications didn't have an option to upload a resume/CV. Basically I just emailed them asking if I can attach my resume to my application because my work experience better demonstrates my capabilties and abilities for graduate research, and both said yes. There is no harm in asking, and my overall GPA isn't steller so I needed to sumbit my related industry experience to stay competitive.

[MSIOP2015]

Applied to 2 programs this year that didn't have a place to upload CV or letter of intent. I contacted them and they told me I needed to email them with the letter and cv attached. That was odd, but being proactive made sure I wasn't rejected for an incomplete application.