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marsilni
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Top 10 MBA admissions 21 Oct 2010, 14:24
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Assuming an above average GPA, GMAT score, and solid work experience (all table stakes?), exactly how does one impress the admissions officers of the best MBA programs? I have heard differing opinions about community service. Many people have told me that unless you are fully immersed in some kind of activity, community service or volunteer experience will not help you; mentioning that you handed out fliers or answered phones on occasion for Habitat for Humanity is practically useless.

Does anyone have any concrete examples of interesting or unique accomplishments that someone applying to a top b-school has been able to leverage? I know a lot of people use their experience in the armed forces or playing a Division 1 sport.

I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes you read these online profiles of students at top schools and it's like, "damn, how can I compete with that?"

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kigs
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Top 10 MBA admissions 21 Oct 2010, 14:33
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i slipped an extra $100 in with my apps...i dont know about anyone else
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VinceCPA
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Top 10 MBA admissions 21 Oct 2010, 15:26
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kigs
i slipped an extra $100 in with my apps...i dont know about anyone else
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Only $100? You'll need to cough up a bit more for a top 10 school!

All joking aside though, I think most of us can find something that sets us apart in our applications. It might not be something as obvious as a GPA, GMAT, or an otherwise objective measurement. Sometimes, the subjective areas can make a huge difference. What are you passionate about? What are your hobbies? What makes you different? You don't have to have the cure for cancer to get into a top school...though I guess that might help...

As for concrete examples, just look on this forum. There are plenty of examples of seemingly normal individuals landing top positions. Just do the research. I know I have.
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Jerz
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Top 10 MBA admissions 21 Oct 2010, 17:23
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Also don't just think about it as needing to have done something spectacular and flashy (save starving children, started a $100m business, etc.) to gain admission. Many of the people who get admitted to top schools have done ordinary things, but done them extraordinarily well.