MyPokerFace wrote:
I spend a good deal of my spare time playing poker. Should I emphasize this on one of my application essays / put it on my resume?
On the plus side, poker is in line with my post-MBA goals. I want to be a trader after I graduate from MBA school and I have heard that the math / probability / psychology skills, as well as the skills to think and reason quickly are great for the trading floor. For example, poker players make split-second decisions with imperfect information that affect vast amounts of money. Who else does that? Traders.
On the minus side, playing poker as an extracurricular activity doesn't show any leadership skills whatsoever. In addition, some people see poker as a game for "degenerates". (There is a reason why underground poker clubs are illegal). I don't see it this way, but the members of the admissions committee make the decision and they might.
It really depends the question, what you say and write regarding poker as well as what you aren't writing about because you choose to write about poker. In other words, I can't answer in a vacuum.
If you have other material that show more leadership and organizational skill, then go with the other material.
Best,
Linda