What to Talk About The list below is here to inspire, but by no means do you have to discuss all of the components of your experience. You’ll have to choose which elements are most important to your academic story, particularly in your Final Academic Statement. Curricular Activities This is the “meat and potatoes” of your degree—what you did in your classes, where you gained depth and breadth, how you are developing your thinking, and how you chose your academic pathway. These are the things we traditionally think of when asked what an education is all about. • Area of Emphasis It is almost always important to signal to readers some subject in which you have focused your studies. How deep did you go? Why did you choose it? How many credits do you have in this subject? Earning 45 or more credits in a field allows you to call it your area of emphasis, and 32 credits in a field could be considered a minor area of emphasis. An area of emphasis is not listed on your transcript, but you are allowed to refer to it on resumes, applications, and your Academic Statement. If you have questions about declaring an area of emphasis, visit Academic Advising or the Career Development Center in LIB 2153 or call (360) 867-6312 for an appointment. See the Area of Emphasis worksheet on page 20 for more. • Very Influential Classes Sometimes a course or program exemplifies a common theme in your education, helps to define your emphasis, or provides a significant shift in your perspective. Including these can give a helpful timeline and context, and can also be used to direct your reader to positive or important evaluations. • Projects/Capstones Often a program description or faculty evaluation will not do justice to a large project or capstone experience. If a project was successful and relevant to your emphasis or future goals then it can be helpful to discuss it in an Academic Statement. This is especially true for projects that span multiple programs or even years. • Internships or Independent Learning Contracts Internships and Independent Learning Contracts provide a different kind of experience than programs and are often more self directed and hands-on. They are often very meaningful experiences for students and usually cultivate many practical skills. • Research Experience Discussing the particulars of what your project entailed right at the beginning of your transcript can be advantageous. Research experience is a competitive quality when it comes to applying for many graduate schools and jobs.
20 | The Evergreen State College | Writing Center
