How do I include a complicated University history on my CV?

Question

I am trying to get my CV together. I know from experience that I don't want it to be more than a single page.

I have a lot of great work experience to include. My school history on the other hand is not great. I have gone to multiple universities and have yet to complete my degree (But I am close).

I have no problem being up front in person about my schooling, but I don't want my CV messy with school experience when my real value comes from work experience. At the same time, I don't feel like anyone will look twice at a resume with no schooling and no degree.

How can I include some information about my schooling, but make sure that it takes a back seat to my work experience?

@MisterPositive I have gone to many universities without getting a degree. — ItsComplicated, Jun 29 '17 at 15:04
Simply down the bottom type U Mich B Sc 49 cr. 2011, Sorbonne M A 78 cr. 2012, UCLA B Sc 82 cr. 2012 with a newline between each (or maybe just one one line like that. Nothing to fuss about. It will only be glanced at. — Fattie, Jun 29 '17 at 15:07

DLS3141 · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-29T19:45:12.563

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The ONLY university that a prospective employer cares about is the one that issued or is issuing your degree.

On your CV/resume, put something like:

Bachelor of Science Underwater Basketweaving

University of Poor Life Choices (May, 2018, Expected)

And that's it. If you want to discuss it with a potential employer, that's up to you and it can be done in the interview, but unless you have a degree from a school or are graduating from there, there is no need to make a mess of your CV. Of course, if you've already graduated, the date will be in the past and you should leave off the "Expected"

Now, if you took classes beyond your degree, want to convey that, and have no intention of completing the degree simply put the years you attended like so:

Graduate Coursework Underwater Basketweaving

University of Eternal Debt (Attended May, 2018 through June, 2020)

Of course, including this kind of educational experience can be a double-edged sword, it shows that you have education beyond your undergraduate degree, but it also brings up the question of why you didn't finish the program, so you should be prepared to answer. It's also OK to leave it off and only bring it up if you feel the need.

edited Jun 29 '17 at 19:45

answered Jun 29 '17 at 15:22

DLS3141

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You know, it's incredibly common in computing to just have "BSc, UBig 2013 inc" (with "inc" meaning "incomplete"). I mean, that's what Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have. – Fattie Jun 29 '17 at 15:32
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So you're implying that just putting the expected date of graduation should be enough? I didn't think of that but it makes sense. Would I better off putting May 2018 (Expected) or something of the like? – ItsComplicated Jun 29 '17 at 15:53
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If the date is in the future, "expected" is already implied. I don't think adding it is necessary, nor is it a bad thing. – DLS3141 Jun 29 '17 at 15:58
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@ItsComplicated An explicit "(expected)", "(planned)" or "(in progress)" would be best IMO - without it, even if it's future-dated, a quick glance may make it seem like you have completed it, which might make you come across as deceptive. – Bernhard Barker Jun 29 '17 at 15:59
Also relevant: How to put education on your resume that you have not yet completed? – Bernhard Barker Jun 29 '17 at 16:00
At my university we were encouraged to write "expected" because it is unambiguous and eliminates the possibility that you do have a degree and just made a typo. – 2rs2ts Jun 29 '17 at 19:40
@2rs2ts I can't argue with that. I'll edit my answer – DLS3141 Jun 29 '17 at 19:42

score 3 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 29 '17 at 15:29

What about simply putting this down at the bottom:

U Mich B Sc 49 cr. 2011
Sorbonne M A 78 cr. 2012
UCLA B Sc 82 cr. 2012

(or maybe just on one line with commas).

Nothing to fuss about. It will only be glanced at.

I learned this from my friend K who is an absolute master of CVs. On his own he puts after his other degrees PhD UCLA 2002 Abd as he didn't quite finish that one. (Perhaps many glancing at it would assume "abd" is some fancy addendum :) )

(*) Note that, unfortunately really, many QA on this site are from those in the software "industry", I rather assume that's the case with you, OP. In software other than in some niches, in most regions nobody cares much about your education other than nominally. Obviously if you work in a more grown-up profession, you may need to take more care. But the above is fine if you want to make web pages, the next gem attack thumbcandy, etc.

An effective way to handle it IMHO – Neo Jun 29 '17 at 15:26 — Neo, Jun 29 '17 at 15:26

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 29 '17 at 20:15

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Having myself transferred twice and subsequently graduated, I was told throughout my acadmeic career to include each University I attended and my major and minor at each one. However every perspective employer has been confused by this, and unanimously advised that I only include the school from which I graduated and/or was slated to graduate from. It could vary based on location, but I suggest that you include only the school that will issue your degree, and only the Major that you will be graduating with.

answered Jun 29 '17 at 20:15

mwbl

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+1 this is a good option. If any of the schools are of note, maybe include it otherwise just stick with the uni you will graduate from, with the expected graduation month and year, and the major/minor you will receive from that school. – cheshire Jun 29 '17 at 20:19

How do I include a complicated University history on my CV?

3 Answers3