To list a degree or not?
 

After years and years and years of working on my Bachelor degree, I finally finished the last class and applied for graduation! I just squeezed in past the deadline of October 1st (and barring some hiccup- I should sail pass all the requirements for the degree; I have more than enough hours for the residency requirements at the college and the GPA is also above the college's minimums and all classes and requirements have been met) to have my degree conferred sometime in December.

The question I have: Do I posses a degree? The reason I ask is I'd like to check that box off on all the applications. I've applied for graduation and the office of the registrars has (pretty much) assured me I won't have a problem receiving the degree. The question is: would you wait? Would you check the box with a high degree of probability of having a degree in hand before any interview would be conducted? I’m tempted to check the box but am nervous of HR not agreeing me with me that while I do have the "degree" it's not in hand just yet (per the time I checked the box on the application). What does the group say? Check the box or not?

I’d go ahead and check it. You already earned the degree and got through the program. You’re just waiting for the piece of paper. If you get a interview at a major within a month of finishing your degree buy a lottery ticket.

I think you've answered your own question.

I wouldn't list it for another ~10 weeks or whenever it's official.

That seems like a long time now but think of the implications.

You've worked long and hard to get to the point of being about to receive it. Is another ten weeks of waiting worth the risk of someone poking their head in the door during indoc at a future job, and saying, "Aviatormar, would you come with me please?"

The risk/reward ratio is no bueno.

Another consideration.

I see this as 'ammo' for HR in any subsequent issue that would arise. Not likely that you'd get yourself into that situation but let's say down the road you do a dumb pilot trick, but not the cockpit type. Some act that the HR side doesn't like. Your mistake, which may have been a slap on the wrist, could be made into more because they might have this information that you, in their eyes, lied on an application.

I'm not comparing future you to Auburn Calloway here, but why risk anything being seen as 'not quite right.'

Congrats on the impending degree!

You have waited this long, you can wait another month until you get the degree. And besides, you don't want to have to have done all that work to have it for nothing if your integrity comes into question.

Safest thing is to wait until you have it hand. But I would ask them if there's any way they can award the degree immediately? Not sure why they would want anyone to wait before using their new degree to get a job.

See if they can send it now. Many folks don't attend graduation anyway. Do they have a policy of waiting until the semester is over? Is this online?

I listed mine the second I submitted my last assignment, and confirmed with the school that all requirements were met aside from the grade from the final class. In the end I checked the box about 3 weeks prior to "graduation."

Im still waiting for a phone call, but I do have a paper degree in hand.

If all the required courses are complete, you have your degree as far as I would be concerned. Your degree is not a piece of paper. It's having all the necessary classes done. Sound like you applied for graduation on time. Should you get an interview before receiving your diploma, I highly doubt they would ask to see your diploma right there at the interview. Should the situation arise, I would explain you have completed all the classes and are simply waiting for the diploma to arrive. They can confirm with the school if necessary.
You've graduated man. Congratulations!

I would agree with this, except...every now and then the school might deny graduation based on the fact that you missed some 101 core class as a freshman or something. Then you might have an issue.

You meet all the requirements for your ATP, but haven't taken the checkride yet.......do you have your ATP?

Until it's in your hand you don't have it. Putting it on an application in October when it will be conveyed in December is misrepresenting the truth......lying on an application is grounds for dismissal at an airline.