Hi, while writing the resume I have mentioned my community service under but on the application form I am not mentioning it under the extra curriculars section, because my community service was not with any organization but was my individual efforts. But I am worried that my extra curricular may look a bit blank on the application instead of resume with only 1 extra curricular, although solid. I have won 2 college level competitions, although they would on the other section.

How do ad com look resume and application?

Hey Lakshya14:

Just so you know, you can ask the admissions committee this very question and see what they say. It's as simple as dropping them an email asking for clarification. Then you would know with absolute certainty. they are going to blackball you or put you on some super secret list of people not to admit. in other words, it's not going to make you look bad.

That being said, here's my advice –

1. Fill out the optional essay. Keep it as brief and to the point as possible of course. Always remember that the admissions committee does not want to read more than they have to, especially if it's content they would already know or readily assume about you. (they have seen it all before, just know that no one is truly a unique snowflake, no matter how special you think your circumstances may be.)

2. Anyway, go on and describe why a significant portion of your "volunteer" experience is self initiated or why it's not part of some greater organization in your brief essay. Again, the explanation would be as simple as you saying something like – for example – that it's a part of some community, cultural, or religious organization, or perhaps your mentorship or coaching is with someone you personally know or that your family knows. (of course, I don't know the details of your volunteerism of course, but I'm going to guess it's somewhere in this neighborhood.)

3. for what it's worth, don't make any apologies for why it's not part of some well-known organization or why you're not in charge of some big team that's working to cure some societal ill. No one wants to hear that and worse, it makes you look like you lack confidence. I'm not saying this is you or your intentions, I'm just saying that I've been doing this 13 years and I've seen people start venturing into this territory. No admissions committee person wants to read excuses they just want to know what the hell is going on ... in as few words as possible. did I mention that yet? Did I mention they wanted to know what you have to say in as few words as possible? Ha.

Even if you didn't provide an optional explanation or essay, the admissions committee would still see that you have it on your resume (even though you don't have it on the actual online application form.) They're not going to miss it to be honest. I'm sure that those very little to calm any anxiety you may have, but they'll see it if you just have it on your resume. of course, if you wanted to be ballsy about it you can actually fill in your self-directed volunteer experience on the online application form and in the space where it says "name of organization" you would list something like "self initiated on volunteer outreach with drug addicted youth in my community." to be honest, I know we just met, but I doubt you can be willing to put something like that down. Just because it's so atypical. No one wants to be a rebel without a cause sort of thing! but in my professional opinion, having done this for about 14 or 15 years at this point, you could do that and be fine. But of course if you were going to do that, you might as well just call up the admissions committee or send them a nice email asking them for clarification.

Clear as mud? I bet.

In the interest of being thorough, I did see that you asked "how it does the adcom look at the resume and application?", but that's a bit broad and I believe I've answered your question specifically above. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti


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lakshya14:

It's not clear from the context if you have already submitted an application or are still working on one. If you have not, why not put these achievements on your resume? You can call it "Individual Community Service" or something more formal sounding even though your volunteer work is not part of an organization. You should note your accomplishments, responsibilities, time commitment, results (if any), etc. Depending on the format you choose, you may even be able to list out the various tasks or projects as individual line items and then describe your efforts below each.

At Admissionado, we believe self-starting, individual accomplishments are just as important as those that are achieved as part of a group. Plus, we always have smart and resourceful ways to showcase your achievements in a resume, essay, letter of recommendation, etc. Please reach out to us if you need resume a la carte support!

https://admissionado.com/a-la-carte/

Best wishes,
Admissionado

Can essays assume that the reader knows (or has ready access to) all details in the application?
Or should any essay be clear enough for any reader, even one who has not seen the rest of the application?

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If you think your extracurricular activities are important to your application and may make you look like a stronger applicant, find a place to mention them - in the resume, essays, or in the relevant section in the application.

You can read more about how Extracurricular Activities can Support Your MBA Application here: https://www.aringo.com/extracurricular- ... plication/
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