What should you put on your resume if you had very low marks in high school?

Answer 1

It has been my experience that, with certain exceptions, like applications for college, no one cares very much, if any, about your High School academics. I used to just say; "Graduated from accredited (State) High Scool: name of school & the date. The fact that you did graduate indicates that, at least, you had the internal fortitude to stick with something and complete it at an early age. This is more important to an employer than your academic achievement, and an employer may shy away from over-achiever who would distain hard work, or repeditive tasks. The current drop out rate is so high that siginicant numbers of people can't even say they graduated from any high school. I believe that it is an incredible 30% nation wide average drop out rate. In making an application to a college or university your academic achievement is much more important. However, early success can often leave a student burned out, or too confident in their supposed abilities. Most all colleges or universities will consider an apparent serious application from a student who likely will be more senior than the typical age of college bound students, and whom probably wasn't a very good student in high school. If this is your case consider requesting an interview with an Academic Dean in order to discuss the matter. Stress that you are committed to success, that you will make whatever necessary sacrifices are necessary in order to achieve your goal of a higher education. If accepted you are likely to get a lecture; probably on how this institution will not tolerate failure to measure up its standards! That you had better put out 100 and 1000 percent and that if there is one single complaint, one single screw up...well buster...you will be history! Got It! Likely you will be so happy that your being given a second chance that you will meet all these well intended threats with a big stupid grin, and leave the Deans Office entirely committed, happy, and punch drunk. Understand that the staff of a college or university is a valuable resouce which will not be squandered on a scoff-law lazy person. Such people are robbing the resources which been amassed from those who would seriously profit from the experience and contribute to the future of society in general.