NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 26 Apr 2024, 10:40 It is currently 26 Apr 2024, 10:40
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

How relevant is political experience

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
User avatar
AlanSmithee
Manager
Manager
Joined: 16 Aug 2012
Posts: 70
Own Kudos [?]: 18 [0]
Given Kudos: 9
Schools: Simon '15 (A) Stern '15 (D) McCombs '15 (A) Stanford '15 (D) Haas '15 (D) HBS '15 (D) Duke '15 (M)
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V34
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Send PM
How relevant is political experience [#permalink] New post   02 Dec 2012, 03:10
I have significant political experience during my college years. I was one of the founders of one of the political parties in my country (the party currently holds seats in the national parliament). I was also the first president of the party youth organization and one of the youngest candidates for the parliament on the national elections. However, after graduation I pursued finance instead of political career.

Now I am applying for an MBA and wondering how interested would AdComm be in this political experience. And should I put it forward in all the schools I apply to (eg.NYU and UCLA) or just those known for political interest such as Harvard and Stanford.
User avatar
B
jumsumtak
VP
VP
Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Posts: 1093
Own Kudos [?]: 592 [0]
Given Kudos: 479
Concentration: Healthcare, Strategy
Schools: Duke '16 (M)
Send PM
Re: How relevant is political experience [#permalink] New post   02 Dec 2012, 04:17
By all means. The things you have stated here are not run of the mill. In fact these are great differentiators - and according to me, can increase your chances significantly, if put forward in the right way.

"right way" : your career goal is in the finance industry and therefore your focus should be towards those. but you should obviously mention all the good things you learned, the leadership experience you had (highlight how many people were you managing) etc.
you can even dedicate an essay to it (the ones that ask for leadership exp., strengths/weaknesses, moments that defined you blabla). it looks like a pretty solid story..

Good luck.
avatar
greenwich
Intern
Intern
Joined: 10 Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Own Kudos [?]: 3 [0]
Given Kudos: 3
Send PM
Re: How relevant is political experience [#permalink] New post   02 Dec 2012, 09:54
Hey,
I think you should definitely mention it. This shows leadership and b-schools love leadership, it can also help you get stories for your essays.
User avatar
L
Admissionado
Admissionado
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 9218
Own Kudos [?]: 2061 [0]
Given Kudos: 69
Location: Chicago, IL
Schools:Brown University, Harvard Business School
Send PM
Re: How relevant is political experience [#permalink] New post   03 Dec 2012, 03:33
Expert Reply
Schools LOVE politically involved candidates... after all these are the folks that become ministers and senators and the like. and who doesn't like to have a Senator in their graduating class? :)
User avatar
AlanSmithee
Manager
Manager
Joined: 16 Aug 2012
Posts: 70
Own Kudos [?]: 18 [0]
Given Kudos: 9
Schools: Simon '15 (A) Stern '15 (D) McCombs '15 (A) Stanford '15 (D) Haas '15 (D) HBS '15 (D) Duke '15 (M)
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V34
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Send PM
Re: How relevant is political experience [#permalink] New post   03 Dec 2012, 05:57
I just want to thank all of you guys for the information and the opinions. I will definitely use great experiences I had being involved in Balkans politics for my essays. :)
User avatar
ManhattanReview
Director
Director
Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Affiliations: Columbia, Wharton, LBS
Posts: 591
Own Kudos [?]: 134 [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Schools:Harvard, Stanford, LBS, Columbia, Wharton, HEC Paris
Send PM
Re: How relevant is political experience [#permalink] New post   03 Dec 2012, 08:28
Based on what you present, you have a story to tell and I think that admissions will be very interested in hearing it. People who show enough interest in their communities to invest the energy and time to start a political party demonstrate that they will committed to anything that they are passionate about. I cannot think of one school where this experience would be detrimental. While I do not know much about your background, i would recommend that you focus on those schools that are most politically focused including HBS, Wharton, Columbia or those schools that appreciate candidates who took risks including Stanford, Haas and Anderson.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review
User avatar
VeritasPrepMike
Veritas Prep Admissions Consultant
Joined: 19 Aug 2015
Posts: 324
Own Kudos [?]: 28 [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Send PM
Re: How relevant is political experience [#permalink] New post   16 Apr 2016, 20:30
Expert Reply
Sounds like really interesting experience that should definitely be included in an application essay. I think from an admissions committee stand point, anything that sets you apart from other applicants is interesting and should be included and highlighted. Don't be afraid to be different.
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: How relevant is political experience [#permalink]
16 Apr 2016, 20:30

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions