How bad does it look that I spent 5 years as an undergrad? It's not like I wasn't busy. I double majored in physics and math, minored in computer science, and was 4-year varsity rower. In my 5th year, I studied abroad in a European Studies program and at a business school.
Should I try to hide it on my resume by just listing my graduation date (May 2010) and making a few other small changes, or does it not really matter?
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I dont think so bro. You have a very cool story behind it and people will understand. Besides, interviewers would usually appreciate you being more mature (and 1 year at this age does change you a lot) good luck
All you need to put on your resume is your expected graduation date.
Yea they dont care.......as long as you have a solid res, and a degree
First they wouldn't even notice, someone probably looks at your resume for 30 seconds. Even if they did, they would just assume it took that long given you had a double major. Also, don't bring it up in the interview if its not mentioned to you.
I spent 5 years in college too, and I noticed alot of people do the math and say "oh so your graduated in 5 years" and I obviously have my reasons and steered the interview in that direction from there.
You had plenty going on and you were an athlete (well not really, but you could try to play it off like you were). Most competitive college athletes take a red shirt year... so they're graduating in 5 years too.
how would staying an extra year for masters degree in applied econ look?
that would look absolutely terrible....no chance after that
don't hide it esp since it looks like you did some pretty cool stuff during those 5 years. besides, by trying to hide it , the firms may consider that "omitting/mis-representing information" or flat out "lying" on your background check and you definitely don't want THAT on your record.
I personally know someone who got into a decent boutique after spending 5 years in undergrad.
Listing 5 years is a red flag - definitely just include your graduation date. Don't lie, just don't throw it out there
Is that always the case? What about if one changed programs (completely), say engineering to finance and that necessitated 5 years of study (assuming marks are kosher of course)?
The people interviewing you weren't born yesterday. They can easily tell the difference between someone undisciplined having to stay an extra year and someone who has a valid and or interesting reason. You don't need to tell them anything bc they can look at your GPA and major to see what type of 5th year they're dealing with. And given how much smaller the job market has been since 08, I don't blame anyone for hiding out in school an extra year to add some weight to their CV.
Doesn't matter, I spent 5 years in undergrad and no one gave a shit...
No one will care
It's funny the things that students think interviewers care about.
I for one, when interviewing, literally look at the school name, extracurriculars and the random shit at the bottom to see if I have anything in common. I'd rather talk about your golf game in college or your frat party planning abilities for 30 minutes than hear about how your major GPA is better than your total GPA because you took 18 months to adjust to the alcohol intake of undergrad.
At the end of the day, all people care about is if you will work hard and have a good attitude (assuming you have some baseline level of intellect). Honestly, the kids with the 1500+ SAT's that I've seen in the analyst ranks have bad attitudes and do the worst work.
This is a great post. I took my time in college, got decent grades, crushed girls, and got real fratty. Landed a great job as an associate and continue to get asked to leave my bulge bracket firm for private equity. People do not want an office full of kids that sat around in the dorms and threw beats all day.
how did you land a job as an associate at a bb after graduating from undergrad at colorado with a 3.2? Even if you said analyst that would still seem a bit unbelievable.
Its all about who you know twilightgirl. If you have not figuired that out in life yet, you will probably not get very far.
^ oh boy. this guy is a tool please never admit to getting ... "real fratty"
DJ Libor are you the kid that kept his dorm room door open and watched all the drunk kids parade out to parties and bars while you studied for calculus tests that I didnt study for and managed to ace.
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