How to deal with weak extra currics?

Question

Paul/Linda,

So I have reviewing the essay questions for the latest round of applications and thinking about how I want to position my answers to each of the major "buckets". I have come to the conclusion that my weakness will be extra currics. I've been working long hours in finance over the past 3 years and to be perfectly honest, haven't had much time at all to do the extra curric thing.

I spend one weekend a month running career development workshops for one of the larger national non-profits who's focus is to place visible minority university students in internships at fortune 500 firms. I've been involved with this organization for the past 7 years, and it is through this organization that I secured my first corporate internship, so I get satisfaction giving back to it.

My role includes delivering presentations on how to evaluate your goals and career objectives, resume critiquing, mock interviews, course selection, designations and long-term career planning. I also act as an ambassador to the organization and represent them at conferences, building relationships with executives at fortune 500's.

I know it's nothing mind-blowing and I don't have any formal board seat or fancy title, I simply give my time once a month to lead these workshops. Given that my goal is a top5 US school, what would be your advice in terms of positioning my application to remain competitive with those who have done things like building houses in kenya, national athletes and entrepreneurs who have started their own companies?

Thanks for your thoughts.

PaulBodine · Answer

Blayze,

Schools will cut you *some* slack given your long hours, but it's good that you do have some involvement. I like the extracurricular you mentioned. It's relatively distinctive and you've been doing it for a long time. Schools like long-term extracurricular commitments. So you may be fine with just this one involvement. I recommend that you make the most of it in one essay for each school -- radiate enthusiasm for this organization. Finally, if it's possible, I recommend that you ramp up your involvement in this organization for the next few months. This will show deepening involvement and may give you some more impact stories to use in your application. If there are any leadership opportunities in this role, you could transition into soon, I might recommend that as well.

Good luck to you,

Blayze · Answer

Thanks Paul, great advice. Perhaps I was undervaluing my extra curric

PaulBodine · Answer

You're welcome.

Blayze · Answer

Hey Paul,

Just to follow up on your recommendation, I am pleased to say that I was recently elected president of the board of directors for the non-profit described above. The election was based on my long-term commitment to the organization and my plans for its future.

The only concern I have is that given the timing of this, it may appear to adcoms as though I'm simply "leadership role grabbing" for the sake of my application given how close it is to the date I'm going to apply to the top 5 (early Jan). How would you recommend I play this so that I don't give that impression?

Thanks for your time.

PaulBodine · Answer

Blayze,

Schools are under no illusions about many applicants' motivations for getting involved extracurricularly. Fortunately, what they care about is your impact, your personal takeaways, and how you describe your involvements. They care less *when* you signed up (though of course they prefer long-term involvements over recent ones). Since in your case you've been with this organization for a while, they probably won't give the timing of your promotion a second thought. Just make sure you make your new responsibilities credible and try to rack up some impact in the new role before you apply.

Good luck,

Blayze · Answer

Thanks Paul, this is helpful.

PaulBodine · Answer

You're welcome.

How to deal with weak extra currics?

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