Last visit was: 27 Apr 2026, 13:09 It is currently 27 Apr 2026, 13:09
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
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
User avatar
TheSituation
User avatar
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Last visit: 28 Feb 2011
Posts: 98
Own Kudos:
205
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 98
Kudos: 205
Importance of Volunteerism 14 Feb 2010, 10:17
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
So as we all know most schools want, or claim they want, a well-rounded candidate. That just an outstanding GPA and GMAT score will not guarantee admissions. So to maximize the impact of my application I was considering trying to add some voluteer hours.

Now I have a couple of questions:

1. Do admissions officers really care that much about volunteering? If it's at best a distant after-thought or just a way to cement an otherwise admission worthy application package I might not be as tempted to find something.

2. Assuming it is a criterion they truly do covet in a applicant, what exactly are they looking for? Does it have to be business related, ie. fundrasising or being on the BOD for a charity, or would big brothers or working in a soup kitchen be acceptable as well? I guess Im asking if, in the eyes of b-schools, all volunteer hours are created equally?

3. I'm applying for Fall 2011 and I will be applying early. Will this leave enough time to get in some good hours without it being obvious to admissions boards that I've only started volunteering at the last minute in order to pad my application?

Any insight, ideas or personal stories regarding this would be a huge help!
User avatar
MyMBAAdmit
User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 05 Jan 2010
Last visit: 08 Nov 2013
Posts: 194
Own Kudos:
99
Location: New York
Concentration: Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Entrepreneurship
Schools:University of Chicago, Columbia, Wharton, Stanford, Harvard, Cornell, NYU, Duke, Indiana
Posts: 194
Kudos: 99
Importance of Volunteerism 14 Feb 2010, 11:42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Currency
So as we all know most schools want, or claim they want, a well-rounded candidate. That just an outstanding GPA and GMAT score will not guarantee admissions. So to maximize the impact of my application I was considering trying to add some voluteer hours.

Now I have a couple of questions:

1. Do admissions officers really care that much about volunteering? If it's at best a distant after-thought or just a way to cement an otherwise admission worthy application package I might not be as tempted to find something.

2. Assuming it is a criterion they truly do covet in a applicant, what exactly are they looking for? Does it have to be business related, ie. fundrasising or being on the BOD for a charity, or would big brothers or working in a soup kitchen be acceptable as well? I guess Im asking if, in the eyes of b-schools, all volunteer hours are created equally?

3. I'm applying for Fall 2011 and I will be applying early. Will this leave enough time to get in some good hours without it being obvious to admissions boards that I've only started volunteering at the last minute in order to pad my application?

Any insight, ideas or personal stories regarding this would be a huge help!
Show more

Hi Currency,

Volunteering is yet another way for an applicant to demonstrate the soft skills that AdComs look for - leadership, teamwork, communication, initiative, etc. The additional draw for volunteerism is the same (and slightly more) as doing an extra project at work - the fact that you did something beyond the expected.

Read the rest of my evaluation on the My MBA Admit thread.

Check out our blog for more advice on this subject: https://blog.mymbaadmit.com/2010/01/25/what-if-i-dont-like-community-service-and-want-to-apply-for-a-mba.aspx

From working with clients, I have found that there is always something in the profile that can be used to demonstrate community service. It is very rare for anyone to go through their lives without volunteering at all :)

Feel free to set up a free initial consultation at [email protected] to discuss your application further. We specialize in helping clients position themselves for the business program at hand. Check out our Volume Discounts and Packages tailored to your application needs.
User avatar
TheSituation
User avatar
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Last visit: 28 Feb 2011
Posts: 98
Own Kudos:
205
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 98
Kudos: 205
Importance of Volunteerism 14 Feb 2010, 11:54
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks for the response.

I think your right - the last minute flood of volunteering is probably obvious. I'm not sure if Im beyond that or not. However, as the linked article rightly points out - if your truly care about what your doing then it'll show. I just need to figure out what "that" is.

Anyone have any interesting extra-curricular activity suggestions? I'm into sports...maybe coaching or refereeing? Any stories, insights would be helpful!
User avatar
MyMBAAdmit
User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 05 Jan 2010
Last visit: 08 Nov 2013
Posts: 194
Own Kudos:
99
Location: New York
Concentration: Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Entrepreneurship
Schools:University of Chicago, Columbia, Wharton, Stanford, Harvard, Cornell, NYU, Duke, Indiana
Posts: 194
Kudos: 99
Importance of Volunteerism 14 Feb 2010, 12:06
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Currency
Thanks for the response.

I think your right - the last minute flood of volunteering is probably obvious. I'm not sure if Im beyond that or not. However, as the linked article rightly points out - if your truly care about what your doing then it'll show. I just need to figure out what "that" is.

Anyone have any interesting extra-curricular activity suggestions? I'm into sports...maybe coaching or refereeing? Any stories, insights would be helpful!
Show more

Glad I could help. As for suggestions, the article I pointed out to had an example of a candidate using his love for sports as umpire/referee/Track & Field official. Another client used to coach physically handicapped children in soccer. I am sure a lot of organizations, especially those that deal with young adults, would be glad for your help!

Best of luck!
User avatar
PaulLanzillotti
User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
Last visit: 06 Jan 2022
Posts: 1,092
Own Kudos:
269
 [1]
Given Kudos: 264
Status:Admissions Expert
Affiliations: Founder, Amerasia Consulting Group
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 1,092
Kudos: 269
 [1]
Importance of Volunteerism 18 Feb 2010, 09:56
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi Currency:
Yes, admissions officers really do care and the degree is very much dependent on the school.
For example, UCLA, SOM, Tuck, Haas and GSB care extensively about your personal characteristics and ask questions directly around this. They want to know that the personal characteristics your have developed have been honed over time and are tested through a leadership example.

In my 8 years of experience in working with hundreds of clients, this has been the biggest x factor and often the missing piece of the puzzle of the "acceptance equation." Your "volunteerism" denotes a physical manifestation of the passions, values, norms and beliefs you have developed. So these types of activities, for a competitive applicant, can never be thought of as an afterthoughts, but rather a critical piece to your applicant profile. Coming late to the game, wrt volunteering, looks lame but is better than not volunteering at all IMHO.

All volunteering hours are not created equally. The best volunteering experiences will share 3 characteristics, they offer up a leadership opportunity and they allow you to possibly use your business skills in a professional setting, they provide for a cause that is greater than your own. As an example, think of things like StartingBloc, Riordan Programs and the Saturday Business Academy. These are all the perfect opportunities to blend professional experience while demonstrating the ability to produce a result that resonates with your values, norms and beliefs.

Your third question is partially answered above. However, it is better to start late than never as cliche as that may sound. Just make sure that you have a personal and professional connection to the volunteer experience. Please know that your volunteering selection is also critically important to your goals upon graduation, especially your longer term goals.

If I had to share a good personal story, it would be with an HBS admit I worked with for this year. He had the opportunity to work for a micro finance lender that he was "volunteering" with initially. As the organization grew, he took a sabbatical to fully engage this organization while taking time off from his exploits at a large accounting firm. Additionally, his family had a long history in developmental finance and banks in Asia. So this experience gave him the opportunity to blend a long family history with leadership in a personal and professional paradigm. This example showed that he could walk the social entrepreneurship talk and it put him over the line at HBS.

I hope this sheds some light. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
-Paul Lanzillotti

Currency
So as we all know most schools want, or claim they want, a well-rounded candidate. That just an outstanding GPA and GMAT score will not guarantee admissions. So to maximize the impact of my application I was considering trying to add some voluteer hours.

Now I have a couple of questions:

1. Do admissions officers really care that much about volunteering? If it's at best a distant after-thought or just a way to cement an otherwise admission worthy application package I might not be as tempted to find something.

2. Assuming it is a criterion they truly do covet in a applicant, what exactly are they looking for? Does it have to be business related, ie. fundrasising or being on the BOD for a charity, or would big brothers or working in a soup kitchen be acceptable as well? I guess Im asking if, in the eyes of b-schools, all volunteer hours are created equally?

3. I'm applying for Fall 2011 and I will be applying early. Will this leave enough time to get in some good hours without it being obvious to admissions boards that I've only started volunteering at the last minute in order to pad my application?

Any insight, ideas or personal stories regarding this would be a huge help!
Show more
User avatar
TheSituation
User avatar
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Last visit: 28 Feb 2011
Posts: 98
Own Kudos:
205
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 98
Kudos: 205
Importance of Volunteerism 18 Feb 2010, 10:58
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Paul,

Great post +1.

I'm not trying to compete for the elite school here. But I think your right, its the physical manifestation of who you are. I need to find a way to get the volunteer hours in, but its gotta be something I have a connection to - your right. I don't know if doling out biscuits at a local soup kitchen has the same impact as something like being on the BOD for a chartiable organization or something of the like. The latter doesnt turn my crank at all though. I'll need to be a bit more creative. Hell, maybe even starting my own charity or organization would work! That's leadership! Wow. I think I may have just found a solution. Ha ha! Now and I'm getting some ideas.

Thanks again for the reply!

currency
User avatar
PaulLanzillotti
User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
Last visit: 06 Jan 2022
Posts: 1,092
Own Kudos:
269
Given Kudos: 264
Status:Admissions Expert
Affiliations: Founder, Amerasia Consulting Group
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 1,092
Kudos: 269
Importance of Volunteerism 18 Feb 2010, 11:24
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks for the love. Take a look at your longer term goals (ie. consulting), see what you have a gap in (ie. not enough strategy projects), volunteer for something like the USA Leadership Corps https://www.usaleadershipcorps.org/index.html

Respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti

Currency
Paul,

Great post +1.

I'm not trying to compete for the elite school here. But I think your right, its the physical manifestation of who you are. I need to find a way to get the volunteer hours in, but its gotta be something I have a connection to - your right. I don't know if doling out biscuits at a local soup kitchen has the same impact as something like being on the BOD for a chartiable organization or something of the like. The latter doesnt turn my crank at all though. I'll need to be a bit more creative. Hell, maybe even starting my own charity or organization would work! That's leadership! Wow. I think I may have just found a solution. Ha ha! Now and I'm getting some ideas.

Thanks again for the reply!

currency
Show more