Should I mention I am an undergraduate mature student in a cover letter?

December 22, 2020 10:33 AM

I am wanting to apply to an undergraduate research assistant position at my university. It is for undergraduates and graduate students. I am a fourth year mature student in late twenties and I am not sure if I should mention that I am a mature student?

Would it be a bad idea to mention that I a mature student, or does it not matter if I place it in the cover letter? Would it hurt my chances because I am not the in the traditional age bracket of an undergrad student? I have a lot of directed-studies courses (research-oriented courses with Professors).

posted by RearWindow to Work & Money (11 answers total)

I would not use the term "mature student" - one hopes the majority of fourth year students are fully grown and have an adult's mental capacity.

The more common term is "non-traditional student". Some colleges make specific concerted efforts for enrollment of non-traditional students - although not all colleges. I would mention it in your cover letter. At least at my universities (undergrad and graduate), I always got the impression professors preferred to work with older students, as they were perceived to be more consistent in their behavior and be aware of more real world logistical considerations (like filing time sheets regularly).
posted by saeculorum at 10:38 AM on December 22, 2020 [10 favorites]

I have hired a few undergrad research assistants to work with me at big state universities.

1) it wouldn't be out of place at all to mention it, in my book.

2) I would personally see it as a positive, in that there's a good chance you're a little more capable and responsible overall than a 19 yr old with similar CV.

But 3) some people may see it as a down side, thinking you may also have a kid or more other responsibilities to keep you away from work, compared to a younger student.
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:41 AM on December 22, 2020 [4 favorites]

You should mention it because you can frame it as a strength! "As a non-traditional student, I also have experience outside the academy that makes me especially suited for this role" or whatever. I can't tell if you mean this or some kind of "full disclosure, I'm not a teenager" situation which is definitely not necessary.
posted by babelfish at 10:42 AM on December 22, 2020 [17 favorites]

non-traditional or returning student is how i referred to myself as i've completed a BA recently. My metafilter account is as old as some of my classmates, and I was the same age or older than half of my professors.

It is absolutely a strength to be a little older. Good luck!
posted by th3ph17 at 10:48 AM on December 22, 2020 [2 favorites]

Employer of research assistants here, endorse the advice above to mention non-traditional student.

All other things equal, in my experience the non-traditional or returning students tend to be much more focused as students/workers - they are back here for a Reason - so would get preference.
posted by Dashy at 10:59 AM on December 22, 2020 [5 favorites]

Yes, I would take it as (almost certainly) an asset, although I'd probably figure it out based on a resume or during the (currently virtual) interview anyhow.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:14 AM on December 22, 2020 [1 favorite]

Your age itself isn't the selling point. The selling point is your maturity and life experience.

So talk about your maturity and life experience: "these are the responsibilities I've upheld, these are the jobs I've had and the skills I've demonstrated in them."

If you need to mention your age in passing to explain how it's plausible that you've done all that stuff, go ahead and mention it. But making it the main event seems like missing the point.
posted by nebulawindphone at 11:36 AM on December 22, 2020 [8 favorites]

I see you're in Canada. In the UK and Ireland, "mature student" is the correct term, and so I would assume from your question it is the same for Canada. And referring to yourself as a "fourth year mature student" seems perfect to me.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:34 PM on December 22, 2020 [3 favorites]

Definitely agree on mentioning your non-traditional status. Also have a look through your non-student days to see if there are relevant skills, and think outside the box on that one-- one student of mine got hired in a lab because he was already trained to weld from his car-repair days, and another was in more of a manage-the-resistor-and-capacitor-inventory kind of position that fit well with his military background. So find out what the research position would entail, and highlight relevant pieces if anything relates. If nothing does, then just mention how you already know how to be responsible and self-directed due to being a non-traditional student.
posted by nat at 1:07 PM on December 22, 2020

It should be obvious from your cv & cover letter that got are an older UG since they will be full of the additional skills you have acquired over and above your UG competitors. You need to play those up. All those people skills or numerical skills or whatever. Foreground them. I'm saying this as someone who has run UG programmes, run placement modules and regularly has placement UG students.
posted by biffa at 3:11 PM on December 22, 2020

The first time I returned to school (for graphic design) I had several interviews with prospective schools and overall it was seen as a positive. I was maybe 25 then? I remember laughing because the person reviewing my portfolio was trying to comment on my "advanced comprehension because you. You are... hm, you have" and I just interjected with "Because I'm an actual adult". We both laughed. I ended up getting into that prestigious school, though I didn't attend due to money issues.
I'm returning to school for a 2nd time now, this time studying public health. I've not done any applications other than the initial "let me be undergraduate" application, but overall my professors seem to respond well to the fact that I'm more "mature". I wouldn't at all call yourself a mature student, that sounds like a phrase reserved for seniors. Play up how your age makes you a better candidate, not just what your age is
posted by FirstMateKate at 12:17 PM on December 23, 2020