Does graduating in two terms look bad on a resume?

[studyingfortests]

A lot of online applications now ask for start and finish dates for college and require input. So if you have older credits that would be an explanation. But if not, you may be asked to explain. Idk.

This is interesting, because at least in some states, and possibly federally, this could be illegal, as it could be used to try and ascertain someone's age (admittedly unreliably, especially for folks that are regulars here...)

So if the option is there to not put it in, I'd just do that and then if it comes up, explain that you studied at various times over years.  (BTW, this is credibly true even if you did 90 credits on Sophia or some such, in 3 months and whatever your school-of-choice requires in another 6... because the ability to complete 90 credits in 6 months certainly comes from knowledge and insight and understanding gained outside of just what you learned taking those specific classes...)

[freeloader]

Personally, I didn’t want to make it super obvious how quickly I was able to finish my UMPI degree. If you are concerned, a few things to consider:

Start during the 2nd term of the semester. If it takes you two terms, your degree is going to show that you took 2 semesters to graduate. Person questions your degree, you legitimately can say you transferred in 90 credits and took 2 semesters to finish. That’s perfectly normal for any university that would take 90 credits in transfer.

Consider taking terms off. Unless things have changed, you can take off a single term with a simple email from Jessica. Take classes during summer II, skip Fall I, take classes in Fall II, skip spring I, take classes in Spring II, etc. Yes, it slows you down, but it makes your classes/credits look more “normal” on your transcript.

[ss20ts]

In all of my years of working, I've never needed to show my diploma or transcripts. These things just aren't required for the vast majority of jobs. Certifications I've had to show. Licenses I've had to show. That's just to prove I have them and they're valid. I have 2 degrees from UMPI. I completed my MBA in 8 months and it's a 2 year program. How did I do it in 8 months? I went to grad school full time and had permission from the Dean to take an additional course each term. I worked like a dog for those 8 months. I did school nonstop. No one has questioned how I did it. People are impressed that it was done in 8 months with a 4.0. People have commented on how great my work ethic is and how when I want something I go do it. No one cares that I rushed through a program. I did learn a great deal. I researched a great deal and wrote hundreds of pages every term. I have retained knowledge learned from my undergrad degrees at UMPI because I did the research and the writing. I did the reading as well. I also knew a great deal of it from my work experiences over the years.

[Pats20]

A lot of online applications now ask for start and finish dates for college and require input. So if you have older credits that would be an explanation. But if not, you may be asked to explain. Idk.

This is interesting, because at least in some states, and possibly federally, this could be illegal, as it could be used to try and ascertain someone's age (admittedly unreliably, especially for folks that are regulars here...)

So if the option is there to not put it in, I'd just do that and then if it comes up, explain that you studied at various times over years.  (BTW, this is credibly true even if you did 90 credits on Sophia or some such, in 3 months and whatever your school-of-choice requires in another 6... because the ability to complete 90 credits in 6 months certainly comes from knowledge and insight and understanding gained outside of just what you learned taking those specific classes...)

This is what I was thinking. A tool to try and determine your age
I actually enrolled in 2020 for med tecep. Graduated In March of 2023. So mine doesn’t look too odd. I leave off the other options to add other schools. 

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A lot of online applications now ask for start and finish dates for college and require input. So if you have older credits that would be an explanation. But if not, you may be asked to explain. Idk.

For the overwhelming majority of jobs, I doubt anyone is looking at this input other than an HR screener giving it a cursory glance to see if you check the "has a degree" box. no one is worried about dates.

I’m not so sure. If that’s the case then why not just ask for highest level of completed education. And then ask field of study.

[allvia]

A lot of online applications now ask for start and finish dates for college and require input. So if you have older credits that would be an explanation. But if not, you may be asked to explain. Idk.

For the overwhelming majority of jobs, I doubt anyone is looking at this input other than an HR screener giving it a cursory glance to see if you check the "has a degree" box. no one is worried about dates.

I’m not so sure. If that’s the case then why not just ask for highest level of completed education. And then ask field of study.

Asking may have more to do with the software platform the company choose to use for recruiting vs what the recruiters actually care to know. There is a good chance that the canned application form includes those fields (set to 'required' by default)

[jsd]

I’m not so sure. If that’s the case then why not just ask for highest level of completed education. And then ask field of study.

Because form designers build these things on what they think people care about, rather than what they actually care about.

[Pats20]

Ah. Needless to say it’s there in black and white, and whether or not recruiters quickly close their eyes when they get to that response is probably wishful thinking. 

It’s hard to imagine large companies  not dictating the questions that they want asked. Especially now days.