Thesis withdrawal...will it hurt? Forum

[sphyrnidae13]

Quick question...if I withdraw from an (optional) senior honors thesis I mentioned in my resume, could this be grounds for rescinding an admissions offer? Do I need to notify the school? Thanks

PS the thesis also is on my transcript as a course this semester, so it would appear as a non punitive withdrawal if I withdraw

[Alpal29]

Normally I say to hell with withdrawals no one cares. But this one actually might hurt you. You'll definitely need to tell the schools if you withdraw.

[rpupkin]

I think this is a non-issue. But if you want to be safe, I suggest circulating an updated resume to the schools to which you've applied. Don't worry—no one will notice (or care) about the change; it's not going to impact your chances of admission anywhere.

[GreenEggs]

I don't think the resume is as big a concern as the transcript change (with a W), send an updated resume and updated transcript

[rpupkin]

I don't think the resume is as big a concern as the transcript change (with a W), send an updated resume and updated transcript

I disagree. I'd be more concerned about correcting the representation the OP made on his or her resume.

[GreenEggs]

I don't think the resume is as big a concern as the transcript change (with a W), send an updated resume and updated transcript

I disagree. I'd be more concerned about correcting the representation the OP made on his or her resume.

You know more than me, so I defer to your advice. But having your optional thesis on your resume doesn't seem like schools will care as much as you changing your transcript and not updating it.

[rpupkin]

I don't think the resume is as big a concern as the transcript change (with a W), send an updated resume and updated transcript

I disagree. I'd be more concerned about correcting the representation the OP made on his or her resume.

You know more than me, so I defer to your advice. But having your optional thesis on your resume doesn't seem like schools will care as much as you changing your transcript and not updating it.

You don't change your transcript; your school does: that's the difference. The law school that OP decides to attend will ask for a final transcript at some point. That takes care of the transcript issue.

The resume issue is more of a concern because the OP (foolishly) decided to promote the fact that he was intending to complete a thesis on his resume. If you make a decision to list something on your resume, and if that thing later ceases to be accurate for one reason or another, I think you should correct it.

[katthegreat11]

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[nunumaster]

I don't think it's a strong soft, no one gives a fuck about your thesis in college. Just send the updated resume.

ETA: Unless you got caught plagerising or something else.

[katthegreat11]

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[potus]

It's optional. It doesn't affect your GPA. It doesn't hurt.

[rpupkin]

I think the reason why you're withdrawing matters...

Nah. No one cares. The only way this could be an issue for the OP is if it somehow raises a disclosure/candor problem (which is rather unlikely--but at least plausible). That's why, out of an abundance of caution, I think that OP should send in an updated resume.

[airwrecka]

I don't think it will damage you, but it might just remove a soft schools would otherwise appreciate. I know for instance that Harvard asked on their app if you've done any substantial writing, so I included my thesis there. I was then asked about my thesis during my Harvard interview. (granted, theses are different for everyone--mine was 60 pages, so it was obviously very substantial--a 20 page thesis might be less exciting)

[asundialwatch]

I withdrew from my thesis and no one cared. You'll probably be fine.