Taking year off to volunteer?

I agree with asimov. You already have the work experience you'll need to be a competitive candidate. Actually the majority of people with Peace Corps, Americorps, etc experience also have had traditional roles in finance/marketing/consulting/etc. You don't need to have a "social impact" post MBA goal to justify your choice to volunteer for a year.

Follow your dreams instead of worrying about the imaginary reactions of MBA admissions committees.

I think you have a great profile as is. If you want to volunteer for a year because you want to give back/get fufillment/ live in an exotic location while doing good and can afford it after 4 years of great work experience, but all means do it.

If you are looking to boost your ECs I don't think you need to take a full year off the dedicate yourself.

I would say the only risk you would have (and this may be more in job interviews post B-school) is that if you are looking to go back to finance, you may get asked "It looks like you got burned out or disillusioned with banking/PE, what makes you think that won't happen again? I think if you have an important story about wanting to give back (or even better having a specific reason for volunteering, rather than just wanting to do something different of a year) you have nothing to worry about.

GMAT pending, the rest of your profile looks very good for a top 10 school, with a realistic shot at H/S/W. Set your sights high.

If you want to do it and can make it happen then my vote is to go for it. I can't imagine that a school would hold a year of volunteering against you, and if they did I would seriously reconsider whether that's the kind of institution you want to associate with.

Do it if you truly want to do it. I'm currently serving as a Peace Corps volunteer working in East Africa. For me, it was something I always thought about doing, and after working two years following graduation, realized if I didn't do it now, it would never happen. Although the work is definitely challenging, and it's tough to be away from all the comforts of home, it's something that I'll look back on and never regret. You said you are looking to go back into finance? Although I doubt I will (I was an undergrad finance major), it's always a possibility. Chances are, your volunteer experience will change your outlook, and possibly your post-MBA goals. I know for me it certainly has.

In conclusion, I'd say go for it. If you have nothing holding you back now (marriage, kids, mortgage, etc.), there may never be another chance for this in your life.

Agree completely with this post. You may never have an opportunity again to go volunteer for a year.

With that said, you don't necessarily have to commit to a full year of volunteering. There are plenty of short-term volunteering opportunities available. Either way, your profile is strong enough where I doubt adcoms will think you're just volunteering to beef up your application.