[Editors] attained or obtained?

[Scott R Campbell]

My opinion ­ and it's very true ­ is that it depends upon how modest you
want to be.  If you want to suggest you found it relatively easy to get your
degree, then maybe you obtained it.  If you had to bust your butt, maybe you
attained it.  Me, I'd just say I got my masters degree.  Or received it.


On 10/1/10 6:12 PM, "Marilyn C Wilson" <mcwilson at MIT.EDU> wrote:

> Yes, thanks, that's right!  And taking this into a more obscure and probably
> not very important question, I was wondering about any conventions or "correct
> practices" in regard to "attaining" or "obtaining" academic degrees, since
> these degrees seem both achievable and acquirable!  Is it more correct to say
> "I obtained my Masters Degree", or "I attained my Masters Degree."
> 
> (Never mind that I didn't!)
> 
> Thanks again,
> Marilyn
> 
> Marilyn C. Wilson, PhD
> Sr. Career Development Specialist, Career Services
> MIT Global Education and Career Development
> 617-258-9149
> mcwilson at mit.edu 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: editors-bounces at MIT.EDU [mailto:editors-bounces at MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of
> Jennifer Schmitt
> Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 5:56 PM
> To: editors at mit.edu
> Subject: Re: [Editors] attained or obtained?
> 
> One means to get or aquire (obtain). The other means to achieve something
> (attain).
> 
> On Oct 1, 2010, at 5:52 PM, Marilyn C Wilson wrote:
> 
>> Okay editors, do any of you know if there is there a proper distinction,
>> archaic or otherwise, between "attain" and "obtain" as in:
>>  
>> "the degree attained" and "the degree obtained"   ?
>>  
>> They are both out there in abundance, and seem to be used interchangeably,
>> sometimes in the same sentence or paragraph.  "Degree" seems to work with
>> both, but "certificate" for instance only sounds right with obtained.
>>  
>> Thanks, and may you all attain a great weekend --
>> Marilyn   
>>  
>>  
>>  
>> Marilyn C. Wilson, PhD
>> Sr. Career Development Specialist, Career Services
>> MIT Global Education and Career Development
>> 617-258-9149
>> mcwilson at mit.edu
>>  
>> <image002.jpg>
>>  
>>  
>> <ATT00001..c>
> 
> 
> 
> 
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