Extracirriculars

[thsdmchne]

Hey,

I have a question about extracirriculars.

I just started filling out the applications, and there is a whole section on there about extracirriculars. They're asking questions about elected positions and boards you've served on, hours per week, etc... and I really don't have any experience with that.

I've got a 760 GMAT, a 3.67 UGPA, and pretty good non-traditional work experience. I'm applying to Harvard, Kellogg, UNC, Texas, Duke, and Virginia. I knew all along that the extracirricular portion was going to be my weakness. Basically, I spent two years working on political campaigns, which literally required 7 days a week of work, often up to 15-16 hours a day. The year and half since I stopped working on political campaigns, I've been enjoying my free time.

My question is, do I write something about this in my optional essays? I really don't have an explanation for it besides that A: For two years I had zero time and B: After two years of no time for a social life, I've really enjoyed said social life.

Also besides the optional essay, should I try and look for SOME volunteer stuff I've done? I've spent some time volunteering on political campaigns since then. My question on this is, are a few realtively minor things going to stand out with how crappy they are, and look like I'm wasting their time?

Thanks for your help.

[MBA Mission]

Thank you for your inquiry.

The schools generally understand the rigors of certain careers. In your case, as a member of political campaigns, you have a differentiable professional profile that you can use to your advantage. If you were entirely over-represented and had no "other side" then you would need to be more worried. As is, you can probably explain your situation to an empathetic committee. if the stuff that you have done is minor, I deifnitely would not try to play it up.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php

Hey,

I have a question about extracirriculars.

I just started filling out the applications, and there is a whole section on there about extracirriculars. They're asking questions about elected positions and boards you've served on, hours per week, etc... and I really don't have any experience with that.

I've got a 760 GMAT, a 3.67 UGPA, and pretty good non-traditional work experience. I'm applying to Harvard, Kellogg, UNC, Texas, Duke, and Virginia. I knew all along that the extracirricular portion was going to be my weakness. Basically, I spent two years working on political campaigns, which literally required 7 days a week of work, often up to 15-16 hours a day. The year and half since I stopped working on political campaigns, I've been enjoying my free time.

My question is, do I write something about this in my optional essays? I really don't have an explanation for it besides that A: For two years I had zero time and B: After two years of no time for a social life, I've really enjoyed said social life.

Also besides the optional essay, should I try and look for SOME volunteer stuff I've done? I've spent some time volunteering on political campaigns since then. My question on this is, are a few realtively minor things going to stand out with how crappy they are, and look like I'm wasting their time?

Thanks for your help.

[thsdmchne]

Thanks a lot. So should I address the lack of extracirriculars in my optional essay or would that just draw undue attention to it?