Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 16:20 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 16:20
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
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
avatar
pgal
avatar
Joined: 24 Aug 2010
Last visit: 11 Oct 2010
Posts: 3
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Advice on where to go from here, thanks 10 Oct 2010, 09:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hey everyone, I thought this may be a good place to ask for some advice. I recently completed my undergraduate, and got a great job opportunity with a prestigious private equity firm, which would enable me to work all around the world. I am planning to work with them for several years, and then apply to a top b-school MBA (e.g. Wharton, HBS). I was wondering if anyone could let me know what the significance of ECs are for business applications, and what kind of things I should become involved with over the course of the next two years. Below are some general points as to where I stand now:

Education: Honours in biomedical sciences, GPA: 3.95
Honours List 2006-2010, graduated with distinction
Received highest average in program (Gold Medal)
Learning how to speak German as a second language (will live there soon... yikes)

GMAT: 710/6.0

Work Experience: Nuclear researcher for two summers, lifeguard for two summers, worked at rural clinics in Philippines for a summer, worked for Public Health at flu clinics for several months, and the aforementioned private equity job (full-time, will begin this coming January)

Awards and ECs: (ongoing), Nominated highest level of fitness at University, Black Belt, Scholarships (up to $26,500), Ski and Swimming instructor certificates, and a several others. I have a whole bunch of volunteer stuff throughout the past four years (international, local), and sports that I have played (but only recreationally/teaching). I think ECs are probably where I could use the most work right now... :(

Sorry for the long post, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
avatar
Jeanette
avatar
Joined: 31 Aug 2010
Last visit: 27 Mar 2011
Posts: 189
Own Kudos:
36
Given Kudos: 33
Location: Atlanta, GA
GPA: 3.4 Ivy
WE 1: 3 years for major bank
Posts: 189
Kudos: 36
Advice on where to go from here, thanks 10 Oct 2010, 10:33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Get involved with things you care about, and show leadership in them. If deciding between two things you care about equally, pick the one that helps people the most, is unusual, allows you to show leadership and feeds your narrative.

ECs can play a big part in an application, but it's not about how many you do but the leadership and care you put into them.

So overall, really the best advice on ECs is not to worry too much about what business schools think except insofar as it motivates you to DO stuff (this motivation can be crucial when you're working full time). The other piece of advice I'd give is to try and identify people early on that you could ask for an insightful recommendation later. For Wharton, it won't matter -- they want all supervisors for their two recs. But for Harvard (as well as Stanford) they ask for three recommendations, and having a strong EC one where you've shown leadership can probably help buff your profile more than scrounging for a third letter from someone in your company or a client.
avatar
pgal
avatar
Joined: 24 Aug 2010
Last visit: 11 Oct 2010
Posts: 3
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Advice on where to go from here, thanks 11 Oct 2010, 10:18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks for the advice; that's along the lines of what I was expecting to hear. Great insight with the third reference... it seems like that would add a unique aspect to any application. I also heard that MBA schools frequently put heavier weight on an applicant's ECs following college - even if he or she is only out for several years. Would you agree with that?