Should I mention tuition saved during an interview?

[LSUhopeful]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'll hopefully be interviewing for three schools early next year. I'm 27, been married 2 wonderful years, and I'm a second career guy. So, my wife and I are very blessed to be debt-free (house, cars, everything 😀). We were not gifted anything or given any major inheritances. We've just had a strict budget, got pretty decent jobs, and worked our tails off, the good ole-fashioned way. Unfortunately, I do not have all the clubs and organizations as many of you guys & gals to put on my application since I spent so much time working as much as possible.. but I feel like being debt free is a pretty big accomplishment. Also worth mentioning, by the time of the interviews, we should have enough money saved up for PT school!! Is this something I should mention in the interviews? I hate to sound like I'm bragging during the interview, but it's something we are very proud of.. so do you all think it makes sense to bring it up? thanks in advance!

 

[Shugo]

I'll hopefully be interviewing for three schools early next year. I'm 27, been married 2 wonderful years, and I'm a second career guy. So, my wife and I are very blessed to be debt-free (house, cars, everything 😀). We were not gifted anything or given any major inheritances. We've just had a strict budget, got pretty decent jobs, and worked our tails off, the good ole-fashioned way. Unfortunately, I do not have all the clubs and organizations as many of you guys & gals to put on my application since I spent so much time working as much as possible.. but I feel like being debt free is a pretty big accomplishment. Also worth mentioning, by the time of the interviews, we should have enough money saved up for PT school!! Is this something I should mention in the interviews? I hate to sound like I'm bragging during the interview, but it's something we are very proud of.. so do you all think it makes sense to bring it up? thanks in advance!

I also have difficulty talking about my strengths, or accomplishments to others because I feel it makes me sound boastful or conceited. However, it is an interview and it is intended that we market ourselves. I think it is definitely worth mentioning that you worked while you went to school. I understand that getting good grades is a lot harder while working because I also paid my way through my undergraduate career and did not take out student loans. To accomplish this shows an ability to balance your schedule between work and school, cope with additional stress, and it also shows how motivated you are. Rather than talking directly about how you saved money I would recommend describing the challenge, and what skills/attributes/strategies you used to make it work.

 

[vinganca]

First, congratulations! Well done for getting through all this with no debt...AND saving up for PT school? 😱 That is a major accomplishment, and yes, definitely find a way to work that into your interviews! Pulling that off shows you're disciplined, responsible with money (which easily translates into 'responsible in general'), ambitious, hardworking/dedicated, etc.

If they ask you one of those "name a time/situation where you exhibited (insert positive characteristic here)"questions in your interview, you know what to bring up. 😉

 

[LSUhopeful]

Shugo, you're right on, I've always felt a little awkward talking about my achievements or anything.. it just feels like bragging.. but in this case, I'll just have to get over it..

and thanks vinganca! me and the wife will have to do some mock interviews and i'll practice working the money saved/debt-free thing into the conversation.. lol.

ps. quick side note.. I highly recommend Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" for anyone looking for just a great way to learn how to manage their personal finances. The wife and I read it and he is dead on with a lot of core values. He does it the right way, no ploys or get rich quick schemes.. simple hard work and smart planning.