NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 14:21 It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 14:21
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

Volunteer experience hypothetical

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
avatar
lahai1dj
Manager
Manager
Joined: 04 Nov 2012
Posts: 84
Own Kudos [?]: 35 [0]
Given Kudos: 82
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, International Business
Schools: Jones '16 (M) Cox '16 (A$) McCombs '16 (A)
GRE 1: Q740 V640
GPA: 3.7
WE:Science (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
Volunteer experience hypothetical [#permalink] New post   11 Dec 2012, 19:22
In their application if an individual reasonably explains why they haven't been a volunteer, does that put them on an equal playing field with someone who does have volunteer experience. Lets take two candidates for an example:

Applicant A. Work 80hrs per week and travel 5-6 days per week for the company. 700 GMAT. 3.5GPA. No volunteer experience since college.

Applicant B. Spends 40 hours per week in the office and doesn't travel for work. 700 GMAT. 3.5GPA. Helped organize their neighborhood bowling league.

If there is only one spot open at said B School, who gets it?
User avatar
B
aerien
Board of Directors
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Status:Yale SOM!
Posts: 1593
Own Kudos [?]: 592 [0]
Given Kudos: 347
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Volunteer experience hypothetical [#permalink] New post   11 Dec 2012, 19:33
Expert Reply
A spot in a business school is NOT going to come down to "do you have volunteer experience or not". Every person is different. Every one has their own story to tell and has different priorities in their life, whether that's work, extra curricular activities, community involvement, family, etc. In an application, you have to tell your own story and show the adcom how and why you fit with that particular school. It doesn't come down to joining one activity over another.
avatar
lahai1dj
Manager
Manager
Joined: 04 Nov 2012
Posts: 84
Own Kudos [?]: 35 [0]
Given Kudos: 82
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, International Business
Schools: Jones '16 (M) Cox '16 (A$) McCombs '16 (A)
GRE 1: Q740 V640
GPA: 3.7
WE:Science (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
Re: Volunteer experience hypothetical [#permalink] New post   11 Dec 2012, 19:44
That is good to hear. Currently I am reading "Your MBA Game Plan," (very useful book overall) and the authors describe volunteer/community service activities as not optional. There are a few different thoughts on this including your posting as well as the GMAT Club eBook.

It would also be useful to hear from current students who did not have volunteer experience. Any takers?!
User avatar
B
aerien
Board of Directors
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Status:Yale SOM!
Posts: 1593
Own Kudos [?]: 592 [1]
Given Kudos: 347
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Volunteer experience hypothetical [#permalink] New post   11 Dec 2012, 20:01
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
To be fair though, you should have something that you do outside of work. This is just my thought, but I feel like especially now, few people get into business school with just work experience and no other outside commitments. For you that might not be community service or volunteering in the traditional sense; you might be involved in your local sports league or play an instrument in a band or raise sheep in your backyard. Whatever you do, you have to be passionate about it and not just do it because you think it looks good in your application.

Bottom line: Don't give/tell the adcom what you think they want to see. Show them who you are as a whole person -- not just who you are at work, but who you are at home too.
avatar
lahai1dj
Manager
Manager
Joined: 04 Nov 2012
Posts: 84
Own Kudos [?]: 35 [0]
Given Kudos: 82
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, International Business
Schools: Jones '16 (M) Cox '16 (A$) McCombs '16 (A)
GRE 1: Q740 V640
GPA: 3.7
WE:Science (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
Re: Volunteer experience hypothetical [#permalink] New post   11 Dec 2012, 20:09
aerien wrote:
To be fair though, you should have something that you do outside of work. This is just my thought, but I feel like especially now, few people get into business school with just work experience and no other outside commitments. For you that might not be community service or volunteering in the traditional sense; you might be involved in your local sports league or play an instrument in a band or raise sheep in your backyard. Whatever you do, you have to be passionate about it and not just do it because you think it looks good in your application.

Bottom line: Don't give/tell the adcom what you think they want to see. Show them who you are as a whole person -- not just who you are at work, but who you are at home too.



That is a standard I can live to. Thanks!
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Volunteer experience hypothetical [#permalink]
11 Dec 2012, 20:09

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