<p>i founded my schools local chapter for fbla when i was a sophomore…is fbla a total joke or is it something that would help me get into the wharton school of business?</p>
<p>Sure, it'll help and communicate your interest in business, but I'm sure that many Wharton applicants participate in FBLA.</p>
<p>Are FBLA and DECA merely watered down business activities that do a poor job of simulating real economic conditions or does Wharton seriously favor these activities over other more logic-oriented and critical thought-based activities like Debate and Quiz Bowl just because they ae business related???</p>
<p>they're watered down. DECA is more serious than FBLA, but even then only some events are actuall relevant--ie financial analysis for DECA.</p>
<p>but, nevertheless, it's a better idea to invest your time in something real like debate. just an illustrative anecdote: i've done debate for the past 3 years, haven't taken a single formal econ class, and was state and regional champion in financial analysis the first time i ever did it, and finished in the top 10 at the international competition. the solid foundation provided by debate is absolutely essential to success in other things in life, and colleges understand that and reward you for it accordingly.</p>
<p>thanks for the comments...so in this case, would putting fbla be considered a bad thing?</p>
<p>FBLA would definitely be a good thing to put on your app. If you didn't really do a lot in the organization then yeah it may not be that impressive but if you placed at nationals or held an officer position then it is definitely worth it.</p>
<p>no obviously let colleges know about it, but as the guy above me just said don't expect it to matter much if you didnt <em>do</em> anything.</p>
<p>The most recent posts refer to letting colleges know about FBLa if you actually "did" something. Are you all referring to if the club actually did something or if you as an individual had a position in the club and did something to better the club?</p>
<p>I also started my local chapter of FBLA in my sophomore year. If you started the club purely for college apps, it’s honestly not worth it. Whoever said that FBLA is “fun” and not as “serious” as DECA, I completely disagree. As president, I expect all my members to be actively involved, attend conferences, and compete. I myself have to dedicate a lot of time and effort into this club, and I’m sure it will help me get into the college of my choice.</p>
<p>Being the president of a local chapter is impressive. However, if you would really like to stand out, run for a sectional/national position.</p>
<p>For FBLA, I think it depends on your school’s president and club advisor and how involved they want to get. </p>
<p>Not meaning to offend anybody but I thought FBLA (the chapter at my school at least) was a complete joke, all we did was take a test, attend a really boring regional conference, and then attend the state conference. I don’t plan on putting it on my app. </p>
<p>I was really unimpressed with the entire thing. For example, a girl at my school made it to states without even studying and a guy made it to nationals without even studying (or at least that’s what he told me). And at both the state and regional conferences, I just got the impression that almost nobody cared (i.e. most of the kids there just wanted to get out of school). </p>
<p>But then again, I know FBLA chapters at other schools that get really involved with fundraising, activities, etc.</p>
<p>Does Wharton see FBLA national winners as impressive? Especially in Banking and Financial Systems since I want to get into I banking?</p>
<p>I’ve participated in FBLA all four years of high school and I’d say colleges see it the way you treat it. If you pursue leadership positions and use those positions to get things done, FBLA is definitely a worthwhile endeavor. If you’re just one of those kids who participates in a couple events a year and doesn’t win anything significant, it won’t help you too much.</p>
<p>I think my circumstances are a fair example of the influence FBLA may have on college acceptances. I was president of my local chapter, a state board officer, 3-time state champion (including banking and financial systems, evidently they don’t care), one national top ten finish. I was waitlisted by wharton, but of the other devoted and extremely involved members I met at the national conference, those who are state officers from around the country, the experience pulls for b-school acceptances. besides wharton, I was accepted to every business school i applied. Wharton is more of a pot-luck than any other business school, a lot like harvard general admissions, but if you are actually interested in the fundamentals of business and not only the prestige of attending such an ivory tower as wharton, fbla will serve as a great supplement to your application, pending your success. Truthfully, there is little effort that need be applied to haul in big-time fbla awards, including state championships (though i would never say that’s true of national competition). Colleges, including wharton, will recognize national awards. good luck, i would do fbla and deca in addition to debate. as a debater as well, debate will widen your intellectual curiosity and breadth much more than either business organization and will make you a smarter, defter person.</p>
<p>^Agreed. Number one extracurricular I would recommend by far is debate. I did PoFo and LD, but I would recommend Parli because it’s not as much of a timesuck.</p>
Here is the thing. Any extracurricular activity could be made good. I believe that move of the people on here have bias towards what they have been awarded in. For example, I worked very hard in public speaking and placed 1st in AL FBLA, then later placed 6th in the nation. I have a bias towards FBLA because I do not do debate, other than personal arguments. It depends how far you take your passion or hobby. If you are in the skateboarding club… ok cool? But what if you founded your school’s skateboard club and opened it up to the community. You win local competitions, then state competitions, and later national competitions. And now as a high school junior, you teach kids all over the community skateboarding. This may surprise you, but colleges look for passion; They have seen billions of the same applications with piano, violin, debate, Honor society, math club, science club… It’s time to be different.
Joining any particular club is insignificant. However what you do as a member of the club (accomplishments, meaningful activities, leadership etc.) can be significant.