SAHM applying to schools: list your former, maybe future, profession? leave blank? "homemaker"?

[Anonymous]

I am what the Census Bureau calls not employed, not seeking employment. I also completed 9 years of higher education and have a B.A., a J.D. and a Master's.

every application asks for the "occupation" of each parent. sometimes it's "employer," sometimes it's "profession."

i think they are looking for, obviously, a way to contact an applicant's parent and so they ask for phone #, email address at work, etc.

but i also think admissions committees are trying to gauge the brainpower of the household, and probably prestige, yes? if we're all being honest here.

So what do I put in that "occupation" box?

there's a blog in here somewhere, about how my life of 42 years has come down to a 2.5 inch wide blank box.

[Anonymous]

I guess you could put "housewife." Or unemployed.

[Anonymous]

I'd write "stay at home mom"

[Anonymous]

Professional student?

[Anonymous]

Full-time mom.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking about this also - I thought I might write stay at home mom / former attorney, etc...

[Anonymous]

Full-time mom and former xxx.

I like that one.

[Anonymous]

Full-time parent.

[Anonymous]

You may want to look up if there is some standard definition (for tax forms or the census maybe) and use that one. It probably is just a box that no one looks at anyway but I would avoid getting too creative or using more charged terms such as housewife or full time mom. Stay at home parent is probably more neutral. I have one friend who always writes down CFO of family name and it probably doesn't play well across the board.

If you do any volunteer work you could also put down stay at home parent/community/school/church/whatever volunteer or coordinator. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I put 'at home', and leave it general. Many schools (and I know the truth hurts) ask for professions to see where the $$$ is for annual giving. Sometimes to enroll students who will pay their full ride over those who will need FA. Know that from once being inside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may want to look up if there is some standard definition (for tax forms or the census maybe) and use that one. It probably is just a box that no one looks at anyway but I would avoid getting too creative or using more charged terms such as housewife or full time mom. Stay at home parent is probably more neutral. I have one friend who always writes down CFO of family name and it probably doesn't play well across the board.

If you do any volunteer work you could also put down stay at home parent/community/school/church/whatever volunteer or coordinator. Good luck!

Silly. Why is "full-time mom" a charged term??? Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

And volunteer work has nothing to do with a job title.

[Anonymous]

"I put 'at home', and leave it general. Many schools (and I know the truth hurts) ask for professions to see where the $$$ is for annual giving. Sometimes to enroll students who will pay their full ride over those who will need FA. Know that from once being inside. "

Ahh then add in fundraiser even if you have simply participated in a bake sale.

[Anonymous]

In that case, how about "independent investor"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In that case, how about "independent investor"?

I put on homemaker and left it at that. That didn't hurt in the numbers of admissions offers. You can also add volunteer if it is a regular long term commitment. Schools look at the child first and are accepting of SAHM/D since it is a labor force that won't be complaining about taking off from work, will attend or work functions. Quiet, polite, neat in appearence, and flexible are good ways to present oneself.