Hi Brian,
Thanks a lot for your feedback.
I think your competitiveness will come down to the quality of your leadership experience. Can you point to “moments” where you’ve influenced people/organizations, driven results, taken initiative, both in and out of work? Your extracurricular activities (e.g., teaching yoga) are all fair game. They don’t have to be official volunteer work, rather just ways to show how you pursue your passions and interests and how you engage with the world.
During my under grad, I have started a business (service) with 4 other friends, it was my brain child and I worked on the business model and other tasks associated with it. It was all about providing service to senior citizens in helping them to pay Utility bills and other similar day-to-day services for a nominal charge. It ran well for 3 months, but had to discontinue it as the expenses and efforts included were not worth the profit that we got.
1) I was class representative for 2 yrs in MCA in NITK, main roles include talking about student issues with lecturers and college management. Any communication between MCA student body and college management should go through CR.
2) I was also a placement representative in the MCA final year, roles include visiting colleges and inviting companies for placements and internship positions.
3) Participated in many tech fests conducted by other NITs and colleges across India.
4) I have also started the Placement prep classes in NITK, during my MCA. Its all about taking classes to juniors and sub juniors, to share our interview and placement experiences. Its still running successfully in NITK.
I am an active member of Red cross in organizing blood donation camps and have organized multiple camps in Oracle. I also donate blood on a regular basis.
I am also an active member of Youth For Seva (YFS) in Oracle, its a community service for underprivileged children which runs in various cities across India. It works with various corporations to sponsor education and health for children. I work with YFS through Oracle Volunteers by organizing old book collection camps, adopting children educationally and other such educational related events.
Also, regarding your comment:
I think you have a compelling story, but I do think HBS and Stanford are reaches for you. I would do some research into some tier 2 and 3 programs that specialize in technology.
You meant "I do think HBS and Stanford are reaches for you" or "I don't think HBS and Stanford are reaches for you"?
Waiting for you valuable feedback.
Thanks,
Manikanth.