Not sure how to address this in my resume and in addendum. Forum

[Hfv1800]

Hello TLS,

I'm having some trouble trying to formulate a plan to address this 3.5 year gap between my anticipated graduation date and the date I actually conferred.

I enrolled in undergrad at UTexas in 2009. Was set to graduate in December of 2013. Applied and was accepted to U of Alabama, UH and SMU at that time. WL and denied at UT.

For an assortment of reasons, I left with just 6 credit hours remaining. Took a job at Baker Botts as a paralegal clerk, then in state government as legislative director, and now in-house (almost 2 years) as a mixture of a paralegal and business analyst (Corporate Legal Analyst is the internal title..I understand that means very little to law schools.) I worked part-time as a legal assistant and part-time as a concert violinist throughout undergrad as well.

Finally finished my undergraduate degree in August 2016. 7 year plan.. I know...

I've worked in legal services since 2009. I'd like to say that I've shown a continued interest in this field. That said, should I format my resume with work experience for the last 3.5 years first or still go with the education first?

Furthermore, how would I address the fact that for an array of reasons, I just left school and went into the workforce, only to finish my degree 3 years later?

edit: Could my work experience be enough to serve as a Diversity Statement? Or should I simply address the gap in an addendum?
Any insight on this would be incredible helpful!

[cavalier1138]

You're overthinking this. Format your resume normally, and just explain in an addendum that you decided to work full time and didn't return to finish your degree until later.

And do not write a diversity statement about work experience.