38
votes
Should seemingly arbitrary things like "play piano for Church" or "intramural badminton" go on M.S. or PhD applications in sciences/engineering?
No.
These things are by and large irrelevant. Everyone has hobbies, and many of these may be challenging, but the purpose of a graduate school application is to understand your background as a ...
- 52.4k
23
votes
Should seemingly arbitrary things like "play piano for Church" or "intramural badminton" go on M.S. or PhD applications in sciences/engineering?
Should seemingly arbitrary things like “play piano for Church” or “intramural badminton” go on M.S. or PhD applications in sciences/engineering?
As long as you are succinct about it, and none of your ...
- 39.3k
22
votes
Accepted
Leading a campus ministry group addressing pornography addiction while also serving as a professor
I suggest that you don't do this and leave it to professionals while you focus on teaching math and setting a good example for others.
If you have a dual role you are likely to confuse students, ...
- 399k
8
votes
Accepted
Is it reasonable to take hobby classes during a doctorate?
Lots of people do this, especially if their funding allows them to take out-of-program courses. But you should
Check first that your advisor is OK with it. Tell them that music has always given you a ...
- 11.6k
7
votes
How do researchers cope with boredom?
I can't speak for other researchers, but I always have a few different projects going at once, and I sometimes switch between them when I feel like I need a change. I don't really get bored easily, ...
- 73k
6
votes
Accepted
Is it appropriate for a lecturer to invite the course to dinner before grading?
I think it's completely appropriate.
As an anecdote, when I was an undergrad I was in a similar situation. The professor of a WW2 history class I was taking invited all 20-or-so of us undergrads to ...
5
votes
Ways to display extra-curricular/independent learning
I faced this exact problem when I was applying to grad schools. Here are three ways that worked for me (in order of importance):
Include this information in your statement of purpose.
I do not ...
- 3,321
4
votes
Should phd candidates spend time on extra-curricular?
Whether or not you get a tenure-track job is going to be driven by your research credentials, and not by extra-curricular activities. However...
Interviews and job applications often ask about your ...
- 21.7k
3
votes
Would blogs and extracurricular activities be considered for admission to master's programs in the US and Canada?
I deleted my previous answer as it was assuming undergraduate admission.
Assuming graduate admission, and assuming an MS in Engineering (and not say an MBa or Art History), then pretty much everything ...
- 4,607
3
votes
Remunerated consulting while being a PhD student
One way or the other, you will have to disclose the activity to your university. I can't think of any obvious reason why your university would not allow you to do consulting work on the side. But in ...
- 105k
3
votes
Accepted
Buying Internet hosting from an academic institution
Within the United States, universities help startups in many different ways. This includes "internal" startups that are created by students and faculty as well as "external" startups that are created ...
- 17.1k
2
votes
Should seemingly arbitrary things like "play piano for Church" or "intramural badminton" go on M.S. or PhD applications in sciences/engineering?
To a certain degree, I'd say Yes if your proficiency in a particular activity increases the chances you`ll be a good scientist in the field of study you are applying for.
I.E. if you are applying ...
- 351
2
votes
Should seemingly arbitrary things like "play piano for Church" or "intramural badminton" go on M.S. or PhD applications in sciences/engineering?
Mentioning a slightly quirky hobby can give someone with a pile of CVs a hook to remember you by. They might not remember your name but they will remember that you collect tea pots.
Also, often an ...
- 21
2
votes
Accepted
Difference between university/departmental service and extracurricular university service on CV
Extracurricular service is things you do completely outside the university setting. Volunteering at a food bank or such like these days. Tutoring disadvantaged kids.
The other is service given to the ...
- 399k
2
votes
Is it appropriate for a lecturer to invite the course to dinner before grading?
“I don’t think it would have all got me quite so down if just once in a while—just once in a while—there was at least some polite little perfunctory implication that knowledge should lead to wisdom, ...
- 26.5k
1
vote
Leading a campus ministry group addressing pornography addiction while also serving as a professor
Your desire to help others if commendable.
Confidentiality within a group may be violated, so please consider how public knowledge of your struggles with pornography addiction would make your female ...
- 859
1
vote
Leading a campus ministry group addressing pornography addiction while also serving as a professor
Congratulations on your sobriety!
There are self-help groups similar to Alcoholics Anonymous that address sex-addiction, namely SAA. I would suggest you seek them out with the view of setting up a new ...
- 25.3k
1
vote
Should phd candidates spend time on extra-curricular?
My university recruits faculties for two different tracks: (1) research-track and (2) teaching-track
For the former, the panel is least bothered about such activities of a candidate. However, for the ...
- 13.1k
1
vote
How important are extracurricular activities as a Mathematics Major?
Not much. They are looking for capabilities versus accomplishments.
I would also add that GREs are useful.
- 836
1
vote
How important are extracurricular activities as a Mathematics Major?
In the US, and I suspect elsewhere, such things have little bearing on admissions to graduate school. People will look at your academic achievements, mostly, but not entirely, in your major subject. ...
- 399k
1
vote
Accepted
Should I put reading group coordination / participation on CV?
Absolutely yes. This is an important and cool activity. You can write something like:
2016-18 Coordinator of Journal Club at XXX research group, YYY Dep. - Task: pick topics, schedule talks, present ...
- 116
1
vote
Is it reasonable to take hobby classes during a doctorate?
Absolutely. I took every PE course offered in my university during my doctoral program since I wasn't taking a real course but was still receiving a tuition waiver after my second year.
I gained a ...
- 9,672
1
vote
Should seemingly arbitrary things like "play piano for Church" or "intramural badminton" go on M.S. or PhD applications in sciences/engineering?
Disclaimer:
I have never been on a hiring committee, so take this post with a pinch of salt. On the other hand, I have some relevant experience so I though it would make a nice comment, but it came ...
- 788
1
vote
Should seemingly arbitrary things like "play piano for Church" or "intramural badminton" go on M.S. or PhD applications in sciences/engineering?
I would be careful about what you put under hobbies because people on the admissions committee might react in completely unpredictable ways. This can work for or against you. An anecdote:
One ...
- 3,584
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