Boasting of good deeds?

[ChristusVincit]

I’m applying to a very prestigious university at the moment, and I know that they like their candidates to have done some sort of voluntary work and that kind of thing.

Do you think it’s wrong to put that kind of thing down on your personal statement? Christ said not to parade our good deeds before men to win their approval, but I kind of feel like in putting things like that down on my CV (and even more so in taking up new things solely to put them down) makes me a real hypocrite/pharisee, and I’m wondering what I should do!

 

[Christy_Beth]

I think that the bit in the Bible was more along the line of bragging. You wouldn’t be bragging, only giving them the information that is appropriate. I’m sure someone will argue with that, but if it’s for getting into a good college, then go for it.

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

I had a problem with this when I started interviewing after college. You absolutely MUST discuss your accomplishments in order for them to know that you did not fake your resume (put them on your resume as well). That being said, no you should not be overly prideful about what you have done. It is not overly proud to say “I did this” or “I did that” and to list praises you may have received for these things.

It is a tightrope that must be walked in modern times. I always thought that my actions would speak for themselves. I was wrong.

Pax vobiscum

FSC

 

[Regina0206]

I’m applying to a very prestigious university at the moment, and I know that they like their candidates to have done some sort of voluntary work and that kind of thing.

Do you think it’s wrong to put that kind of thing down on your personal statement? Christ said not to parade our good deeds before men to win their approval, but I kind of feel like in putting things like that down on my CV (and even more so in taking up new things solely to put them down) makes me a real hypocrite/pharisee, and I’m wondering what I should do!

There is nothing wrong in stating facts/truths for jobs/studies. You are not publishing an article in the newspaper bragging about your work/achievements for all to read - this would be boasting.

 

[tjm190]

You wouldn’t be doing it out of pride, you’d be doing it so that they could get a better picture of you- seems safe to me.

 

[Catholic1954]

They want to know everything about you. Volunteering and charity work help to form your character and will help them in making the decision to admit you (or not).

 

[ChristusVincit]

OK cheers everyone. I feel uncomfortable with it, but I guess one deals with it. What about taking stuff up to put down?

 

[Langdell]

OK cheers everyone. I feel uncomfortable with it, but I guess one deals with it. What about taking stuff up to put down?

I don’t see anything wrong with that, as long as you do a good job with what you take up. Good works are still good works, even if we do them for some of the wrong reasons.
.

 

[Catholic90]

If you don’t tell them what you did, they will assume you did nothing. You are not bragging - you are simply stating fact.

DON’T say: I volunteered for XYZ organization and I was the best volunteer they ever had.

DO say: I volunteered for XYZ organization doing ABC every month and as result, LMNOP happened.

Let the FACTS speak for themselves.

 

[Newbie2]

If you don’t tell them what you did, they will assume you did nothing. You are not bragging - you are simply stating fact.

DON’T say: I volunteered for XYZ organization and I was the best volunteer they ever had.
DO say: I volunteered for XYZ organization doing ABC every month and as result, LMNOP happened.

Let the FACTS speak for themselves.

I agree with everyone else so far. Keep it matter-of-fact. Volunteering such information when you not asked for it would be a different matter: “You know, I spent lots of hours working with disadvantaged children…”. The message there is “look how charitable and self-giving ***I ***am!”