Diversity criteria of B-schools

Question

Hi Experts,

I'm new to GMAT Club and I have a question regarding MBA Applications.

Is religion a criteria of diversity for B-schools? Example - I'm a Sikh applicant from India. Sikhs represent less than 0.39% of entire population in world.

Should I anywhere highlight the fact about my religion in application.

I personally don't think that religion is a criteria for diversity but happy to know about your thoughts.

Thank you
DS

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

if it feels organic, do mention it - I was very unaware re: the percentage so might be worth mentioning that as well. of course this will have more weight for programs where there is not a large Sikh population applying or already present (not sure where that is or isnt)

more importantly, think about how you being a Sikh will enrich your colleagues and add value to their experience in an MBA program. Whats in it for them?

determinedsoul7

Leadership · Answer

Hi,
I personally do not think that this will add something to your application. Every one knows that India has a lot of diversity with so many religions, culture and languages. They all are treated the same. There will be no harm in writing what  MBAPrepCoach  wrote but do not put emphasis on Religious things. It is important for schools to know what you are going to bring differently.

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

It might be a stretch, but I don't want for everyone to get the impression that religion is off the table. If you are Sufi and it is a force that has shaped you and that is something others can benefit by through learning about that particular worldview, then it's an area of diversity and a potential unique contribution.

I think what you're saying is that Sikhism has less propensity to be something like that and that might be a fair point, but it's okay to share the forces that have shaped you in becoming who you are.

It's all about execution, but remember it's very important to make essays personal so that the Adcom can really feel who you are as a person.

If you just write in a very quote professional way then you will not stand out and you will not succeed. It's a simple as that.

Posted from my mobile device

JatinBhandari1 · Answer

The diversity criteria at business schools definitely cover religion but the question is how do you portray it. Playing the minority card is trickier than applicants think.
Firstly, do not mention any diversity of the context that doesn’t allow for it. If you’re narrating a story about having flip flops to a business conference, I doubt religion could be relevant. In such a case, if you talk about your religion being a minority, that won’t sit well with the adcoms. It would only seem like you feel victimized due to your minority status. 
What you want to portray to your business school is how your religion, although a minority, have helped you throughout your life. That even though it might have put you in a tight spot at times, you also learned to come up with efficient and out-of-the-box solutions due to the same.
Use your diversity as an empowering thing rather than victimizing element.

JatinBhandari1 · Answer

The diversity criteria at business schools definitely cover religion but the question is how do you portray it. Playing the minority card is trickier than applicants think.
Firstly, do not mention any diversity of the context that doesn’t allow for it. If you’re narrating a story about having flip flops to a business conference, I doubt religion could be relevant. In such a case, if you talk about your religion being a minority, that won’t sit well with the adcoms. It would only seem like you feel victimized due to your minority status. 
What you want to portray to your business school is how your religion, although a minority, have helped you throughout your life. That even though it might have put you in a tight spot at times, you also learned to come up with efficient and out-of-the-box solutions due to the same.
Use your diversity as an empowering thing rather than victimizing element.

Diversity criteria of B-schools

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