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rishabhsingla
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Philanthropic/social activities essential or "nice-to-have"? Updated on: 05 Oct 2010, 10:50
Originally posted by rishabhsingla on 29 Aug 2010, 11:33.
Last edited by rishabhsingla on 05 Oct 2010, 10:50, edited 1 time in total.
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Is it impossible to get admission in a top-tier business school (Harvard/Wharton/Stanford/INSEAD/MIT/etc.) if a candidate has *zero* record of involvement in any activity or organization which is good for the environment and/or the society (being part of an NGO, philanthropy, etc.)?

Or it's still possible to get admission even without having done any such activities?
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Philanthropic/social activities essential or "nice-to-have"? 29 Aug 2010, 11:48
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You need to have extracurriculars. You don't always need to be Captain Planet, no.
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Philanthropic/social activities essential or "nice-to-have"? 29 Aug 2010, 12:45
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It is possible to be admitted without those things? Sure, but it's not easy. Bottom line is that you have to show that you are more than just a GPA and GMAT score. Show you're well rounded and have interests and passion in other things besides work.
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Philanthropic/social activities essential or "nice-to-have"? 30 Aug 2010, 11:45
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I am currently preparing my Statement of purpose for some courses and I had the same question.
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Philanthropic/social activities essential or "nice-to-have"? 02 Sep 2010, 06:30
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Do they expect community involvement while we're working? What if I was heavily involved in college?

I doubt you're turned away from top schools just because you didn't do any of these things. I still plan on getting involved with the community though.
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Philanthropic/social activities essential or "nice-to-have"? 02 Sep 2010, 06:50
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Do they expect community involvement while we're working? What if I was heavily involved in college?

I doubt you're turned away from top schools just because you didn't do any of these things. I still plan on getting involved with the community though.
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Depends on what industry you're in. Obviously if you're doing IB and working 90+ hrs/week, they won't expect you to be heavily invovled in community acitivities.
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Philanthropic/social activities essential or "nice-to-have"? 02 Sep 2010, 07:16
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Folks,

You're all getting way ahead of yourself here.

Your application is as good as its weakest link.

Do the schools DEMAND applicants have outreach activities: No.

That being said, what does this say about you as an applicant? It leaves many open ended questions

#1: You have no interest in community outreach?
#2: You do not value being a contributor?
#3: You might have an excuse, but did you mention it in your application.
#4: etc.

As for mentioning things you did during your university days: this really depends how involved you were and how far back your university days were. If you're two years detached, it might be OK to bring it up. Five years detached and you have nothing more recent than that, I wouldn't use it. Using old stories shows you've been idle for a while.

This is something you may address in the optional essay. Some people have valid excuses for not doing more extra curric/community/outreach. It's your job to sell your story to the adcomm.

You don't need to be Mother Teresa or work for the Bill/Melinda Gates Foundation.

PS: For those who say "I have no time" - (for the most part:) wake up. There are many applicants who work 80-100 hour work weeks, have families, take care of their parents, etc, and still have some extra curric/community/outreach. These can be ANYTHING (volunteering at the food bank, habitat for humanity, networking/professional orgs, tutoring grade school kids, etc.). Don't limit yourself.
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Philanthropic/social activities essential or "nice-to-have"? 02 Sep 2010, 09:42
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I agree. I don't think community services can really be thought of as some laundry list of things you need to do to gain admission. Schools are looking for leaders who want to use what they learned to give back to the community.

Obviously if you're working 90 hour weeks, it'll be difficult for you to volunteer on a daily basis. However, there are many things you can do: you can organize fundraisers, can drives at your workplace etc.

Ultimately, you should get involved in something you find meaningful and you enjoy doing it IMO.
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