Did not get in...Americorps Vista?

Question

So it does not look i'm getting to any colleges this year. I applied to Kellogg, Mccombs, and Emory. Dinged from Kellogg...interviewed with Mccombs back in February, and have heard nothing from Emory. I think i'm a great applicant other than my undergrad gpa (2.7). I got a 710 on the GMAT and i have 5 year WE with a startup company (started on the production floor of a facility, and worked myself up to opening and leading an international office in India). I'm an Industrial Engineer from a good school in California, but i pretty much have Ds across the board for all my quant related classes.

I'm already taking classes through UC Berkeley Extension to mitigate the undergrad GPA...but i'm wondering what can i do during this year before i apply again next year. 
I'm going to leave my current job no matter what(I’m over it…traveling is taking a toll on me…can’t do it for another year)...so i was thinking that this would be a great opportunity to do some community service...

Amercorps Vista is one year program where they set you up with a non-profit, and you get a very low living stipend from the government. I'm hoping to work with Netimpact or the The Taproot Foundation (non-profit consulting).

I think i am ready for business school right now, so i feel no need to work contract jobs to "further my experience."

How do you think Business School will react when i apply next year? Will they think the Americorps will be a good thing, or will they think i'm "confused about my goals"?

Any input would be appreciated...Thanks in advance.

ncp · Answer

I endorse Tap Root. Great projects and high quality people.

solaris1 · Answer

Nc -Do you know if Taproot accepts applications from lower than management-level employees?

ncp · Answer

solaris1, depends on the role. From what I have seen, tap root is very selective but they do hire non-management level employees for roles like business analysis.

aaudetat · Answer

I guess I missed this due to my travel over the last couple or weeks, but i was a VISTA and highly recommend it. I did it right out of college, so we're obviously a bit different, but you really get to do some incredible work. It's also got some cache. It's not the Peace Corps, but lots of folks know what it is and it says something about you.

I do have to say that being a VISTA is only as good as your host org. I have also hired and supervised a half-dozen VISTAs, and it takes a lot of work. Many nonprofits are cash-strapped and desperate for the help. But they operate in a perpetual defensive mode and aren't up for creating a worthwhile, forward-looking role for the vista. Look before you leap. Let me know if you have other questions. I used to counsel VISTAs in my area before coming back to school.

Did not get in...Americorps Vista?

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