Leadership & Extracurriculars to focus on?

Question

Hey fellow GMATClubers!

While studying for the GMAT, I've also been thinking through a lot of the extracurricular/volunteer/differentiation things I've done in the past few years. I wanted to get some opinions and suggestions from those on here who have applied to many schools, and see which of these activities I should focus my essays on. I know one should not list too many or talk about too many, but I'd like to get some outside view to see which ones will help my chances the best.

BTW, I apologize for the stream of consciousness style of writing below. Just "dumping" some ideas out and hoping to start a good discussion.

FYI, I'm applying to Stanford, Haas, UCLA, and maybe one of Stern/Columbia/MIT.

Leadership + Extracurriculars: These are the ones *I* think I should focus on:

I believe I can talk the most about #1-5, with 6 and 7 just as supplements if the questions calls for them. I would love to hear from people on which of the #1-5 would be the most favorable in helping me get into the B-schools of my choice? Any help would be greatly appreciated! 

Thank you again everyone!

aaudetat · Answer

Since no one's replied I thought I'd take a crack at it. These are just my very brief responses, based on my impressions from you wrote.

This is good. Unlike the stereotypical engineer (and I mean stereotypical, no one jump down my throat), you've got demonstrated soft skills, and a compelling reason for getting an MBA. It's not very sexy (think inventing a cure for AIDS or climbing mountains) but it's useful. And if you can sound deep and full of self-knowledge, all the better.

I think this one is actually better than the one above. It also shows the soft skills, shows that your superiors dig you, and has a nice us-rah-rah feel to it. Schools are gonna dig that you're a joiner and giver: you give back to your community.

Also nice on giving back and makes you sound like you're likely to do alum interviews or give money to the school post-MBA. Seems less interesting in terms of hands-on leadership and probably provides fewer opportunities for introspection.

Nice. Works for the community-giving thing and shows your initiative. Tennis is a little ho-hum - again, it ain't rock climbing.

This is much more interesting - sorta sexy. Also about giving, teaching teammates (math morons like me), community giving. Too bad it's not more recent.
 
Ok. Kinda boring. Not as strong in terms of leadership or community service.
 
Probably less interesting/less participation than the others. You've got good stuff to work with.

kryzak · Answer

Thank you aaudetat for the response! Somehow I didn't get a notification for this and missed it! I loved your comments!!!

Looks like 1+2 for company leadership (showing how I can lead and work in a team, and have good relationships with company leaders)

3 to show that I will be one of those very active students and future alumni

4+5 to show extracurriculars. I STILL do the volunteering teaching thing, just not as much as I used to, so I can legitimently talk about them. 

I'll ignore 6 and 7 and maybe mention them in passing or in the application itself.

zakk · Answer

I like #3, 4, and 5 for your community involvement with leadership in it and I think #1 is damn good for leadership, but I am a little concerned that it is still in a work setting. This would have been stronger if it was outside of your company, but it’s still good. 

One thing that I would try to keep out of with someone with your breadth of experience is the laundry list. Take from all of this key points and how it has made you into the leader in the community you are today and focus the essay around your attributes and use these experiences are supporting those attributes.

kryzak · Answer

great comments zakk! I will avoid making this into a laundry list and focus focus focus!

as for your comment on leadership, I think they wanted to see leadership both in the workplace AND in the community, right?

Leadership & Extracurriculars to focus on?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards