No Extracurriculars Since College (~3yrs). Problem?

Question

I have an issue: for the past three years, I have been a busy working professional. I have many things I can put down on a resume in terms of job accomplishments, however I have no extracurricular/volunteer activity. I haven't been so busy that literally every weekend and holiday for the past three years have been jam packed with work... I just haven't gotten out and done any community activities or participated in charitable events. I'm really not sure how to approach this on the business school application. Most "Optional" essays give you a chance to explain any shortcoming, which I definitely consider this to be.

The problem is, how do I explain it? Am I SOL? I'm not asking anyone to write the essay for me, but I'm having trouble justifying my lack of extracurriculars. I don't want to look like a lazy or uninspired person to schools.

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks a lot for reading.

The problem is, how do I explain it? Am I SOL? I'm not asking anyone to write the essay for me, but I'm having trouble justifying my lack of extracurriculars. I don't want to look like a lazy or uninspired person to schools.

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks a lot for reading.

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Have you been involved in anything outside your job function with your company? Have you mentored other employees, organized your division's annual meeting, or anything like that. Adcoms understand that for many people the ECs slip significantly after college. The whole point of looking at ECs is to find evidence of what you could contribute to the school's community. This does not have to be in the form of charitable work. Do you have hobbies? What have you done in regard to them. Maybe you're an avid skiier, rock climber, or runner. Maybe you started a professional networking group at your church or synagogue. I don't know. But I am almost positive that for the last three years you've done something more than go from your desk to your home and back again everyday.

losttraveler · Answer

Going to play devil's advocate here. As Cheet mentioned.. you probably (hopefully) have done something other than just be a work drone? Think about your job as mentioned ... you don't play any community sports? Member of a gym? Run a website (non profit of course)... anything? If not, while it may not be an autoding at a lot of T15 schools its going to be difficult talking your way out of it. Lots of us are busy with our jobs but find time to be people and not just "busy bees". I know Wharton is especially big on community service and in Columbia's blogs with Mary Miller she clearly states the school is looking for "participants" not just "members". So dig deeper and think of something you do that isn't just getting a paycheck and try to articulate it. Best of luck.

biehniac · Answer

Those are both great responses, thanks a lot.

I have gone to a gym regularly, but it's in my apartment building, and I do enjoy playing tennis; however I only play with a buddy of mine whenever the weather permits (Seattle has been horrible the past couple years). I'm not a member of a church or community organization. My company was never much into community activism--in fact, the old CEO was arrested for running a decade-long Ponzi scheme. Sorting through that mess kept me busy for the better part of 2010 and 2011 has been dedicated almost entirely to GMAT study, school research, and lots and lots of weddings. I've also spent a LOT of time with my family and friends.

I know it sounds silly and I apologize if I sound like I'm being difficult, haha. I'm struggling to find a way to put a positive spin on this for interviews...

losttraveler · Answer

Ok.. don't "lie" but put a spin on it. Actively follow and participate in organized tennis (who cares how often?

). Very involved in physical fitness & well-being.. I don't care where your gym is.. I run outside everyday... that's good enough for me. You are very involved with your family etc... so you're a personal "life coach" or mentor for youth in your childhood community (this assumes outside nuclear family). Again, you don't have to lie but you can also spin things a bit more elaborately then you are doing. This "word smithing" is a gift that many will lack (trust me I've worked through a bunch of essays for people to try and help them with this exact problem).

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Does your company have any type of programs for employees. My company has employee networks for people in different groups (African Americans, women, LGBT, Hispanic, etc.) for professional development. Are you involved in anything like that? Did sorting through the Ponzi scheme cause you to work on an ethics committee?

I'm going to be honest with you. Schools want people who go beyond themselves. They want people who are inclined to take a second and think about something outside their own universe. That can be done in many different ways. If you haven't done anything outside yourself and personal circle in three years you can't really tell a school that all of a sudden you will do so when you get to campus. Past behavior is the best predictor of future endeavors. Like losttraveler, I don't think that a lack of ECs is an automatic ding. And I can't really see how you could spin it in an optional essay. Seems your best options are to either apply now and see what happens or get involved in SOMETHING and wait til next year. But then again going beyond yourself just to get into b-school is pretty insincere. I'd rack your brain a bit more to think of ANYTHING you might be overlooking.

canadianchamp · Answer

This is my recommendation too.

To add to what losttraveller said - I think word-smithing is probably your best bet. A 'spun' version of how you spent a large part of your free time dedicated to  , is a better story than an optional essay about why you haven't particpated in a 'traditional' EC.

Just the fact that you're posting on GMATclub says you're motivated to participate in a community. Ultimately ECs demonstrate that you're willing to engage/improve your community - and if you think about how you've improved your community (rather than 'volunteered') I think you'll surprise yourself.

Hopefully anyways.

biehniac · Answer

Awesome advice you guys. Thanks for taking the time to help me with this, you've definitely given me a lot to think about. I need to sit down and really dissect the past few years... Hopefully I'm being harder on myself than I need to be.

No Extracurriculars Since College (~3yrs). Problem?

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