MU2011CPA wrote:
I've asked many a question regarding service/extracurricular activities recently as this is the area where I am most lacking. I do not volunteer regularly, mostly due to my hectic work schedule, but I have finally found something that I feel like I can actually devote some meaningful time to (i'm still 1 year out from my application time of summer 2012 to begin in fall 2013). However, I'm worried that this may not seem "diverse" enough an activity to round out my application.
I've recently found an organization related to my alma mater through which I can, on a regular basis, give presentations and participate in panel discussions for the benefit of undergraduate business students. Not only does the timing of these events work well with my hectic work schedule, but I'm also very interested in this and would get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
Taking into account that this is something very closely related to my undergraduate college, does this seem like a "weak" volunteer/service activity? I know it's a far cry from building schools in sub-Saharan Africa or being the VP of an international non-profit, but it is something that I'm passionate about (business education, financial literacy, etc) and something that I won't be forcing myself to do, I actually WANT to do it.
That being said, from a purely MBA application perspective, does this seem like a solid way in which to contribute to my community or is this at the level of "better than nothing"??
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Has it really gotten to the point that people weigh their participation in an extracurricular/service activity by how it will look on b-school apps? Wow.
Look, get involved in what YOU want to get involved. It's not about what you do it's about how you do it. If increasing financial literacy is important to you then that's just as meaningful as the person who did a year long mission building schools in Botswana. How it plays into your b-school apps should be irrelevant. If it gives you great experiences that you can speak to in your applications, then great. However, that's really an afterthought.