BusinessWeek: "Extracurriculars That Count" for undergrad B-schools

Applying to College
1

<p>good general advice, too, for non-business school undergrad hopefuls....</p>

<p>Extracurriculars</a> That Count</p>

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A full application of out-of-classroom activities doesn't necessarily win admission to undergrad business programs

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<p>INTRO

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Undergraduate B-schools have a message for college applicants treating extracurricular activities like an all-you-can-eat buffet: Stop gorging. </p>

<p>In the increasingly competitive application process for business programs, extracurriculars have become essential for students to distinguish themselves from the pack of eager, over-committed applicants. Some hold down jobs, from computer repair businesses to service jobs at McDonalds. Others attend out-of-school conferences and camps, such as DECA, an international program teaching students about marketing, managing, and customer service. But when it comes to high school clubs and other outside-the-classroom activities, admission directors from top undergrad business programs agree that the key is depth, not quantity.

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2

<p>This part, too, was interesting:
"“We saw one [applicant] who commuted an hour to school every day to get a more rigorous education, and he went home to take care of seven brothers and sisters,” Tarbouni said. “So he couldn’t be on the newspaper staff. But that’s still extracurricular, and to me it was a big ‘Wow.’ We want people who can follow through.”</p>

3

<p>I think most schools can see through the laundry list approach to ECs. Just do a few things well.</p>

4

<p>what if you just realized that you want to do business junior year … and your ECs are not at all business related ?!
i have community service teaching little kids for 3 yrs (including junior year), speech and debate, newspaper, NHS officer, peer counseling… none business related at all. i do have leadership positions in those ECs, but will the lack of business focus rulel me out ??</p>

5

<p>No, not at all. (I know this for a fact) Just have a really good reason in your essay for going to b-shool.</p>

6

<p>oh ok. thanks!!! that’s a relief!!</p>

<p>may i ask how do you know?? out of sheer curiousity, of course.</p>

7

<p>I know people who got into Wharton with 0 business ec’s. Thought come to think of it…they had work experience.</p>

8

<p>oh. that explains it. i guess they value work experience highly …</p>