<p>My dream is to get into Wharton undegrad business school. I try to involve myself in afterschool activities, like Student Government, DECA, and the Academic Quiz team, but I feel like I need something more. What EC’s would be best for a prospective wharton student like me? I would love to do community service outside of school, although I’m not sure where or how to get started. Do you just ask if a place needs volunteers? It seems obvious to volunteer at a hospital if you want to be a doctor and go to med school, but i can’t think of any obvious things for a future businessman (community service) </p>
<p>Sorry for all the random questions, but as a sophomore, I have to decide what do with myself in my final years of high school. If anyone has done some great, fun, and rewarding EC’s, community service, internships, or jobs that also helped you get into wharton, please share it. (please don’t think I would do community service just for admissions, I really do care about people and want to do something that would be most rewarding, in every possible way.)</p>
<p>i think you shouldn't plan your next two years based on how you will fit wharton...instead i recommend you to do what you like to do and perhaps you will find something that you are really good at. I just don't want you to try to shape yourself to be a whartonite and realize that that isn't what you want. </p>
<p>a good way to see if you like business is intern at a business firm. do you take econ classes at school?</p>
<p>metaphor..I think you are right and wrong.. you do need to plan your high school according to wharton standards..which means good grades/scores/leadership without that you wont even have a chance..but what I think fuzz was trying to ask is if Penn accredits any EC or leadership activities. :)</p>
<p>excel, that's exactly what I want to find out---EC's that LEAP! off the page for admissions! Anything that will help. Plus, I probably would like any of your suggestions pertaining to business EC's, since I love every aspect of it! So, any suggestions?</p>
<p>I was accepted ED to Wharton this year. The only thing I had close to a business EC was that I became a 2004 certified tax preparer. But, that was sort of an offbeat activity. I also started a club helping mentor incoming freshmen at my school. I think the key to finding an "ideal" (there aren't really any ideal ECs) EC is to make sure it involves: 1) Passion 2) Initiative 3) Leadership.</p>
<p>When I was in a similar situation to yours, I got involved with the local chapter of Habitat For Humanity. At first, I got into it solely to have community service on my resume. After only a short time of working directly with the recipient families, I really began to enjoy my time there. Last summer I was in Detroit Michigan working with Jimmy Carter and helping build 50 houses in a week. I even got my picture taken with Jimmy and Rosalynn. After putting in over 100 volunteer hours, I had my contributions certified at <a href="http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov%5B/url%5D">www.presidentialserviceawards.gov</a> I received a bronze pin award, a certificate and a letter from Prez Bush. In addition to house contruction, I was also involved in many PR, media relations and other community awareness programs with Habitat.
There are numerous organizations like this which have a continuous need for volunteers. On an application, it doesn't matter what charity you volunteer with, but rather how much passion and commitment you have to the cause.</p>
<p>I think they are more interested in leadership and commitment than business accomplishments, unless what you have done is absolutely earth shattering.</p>
<p>^ I agree. And also I would advise that you may want to stand out in your activities, become a founder of a club, introduce your school to a new community service opportunity or sport--whatever. don't just sign up for typical business clubs because wharton is a business school. it's a fine balance between commitment and diversity.</p>
<p>i tend to think that deca isnt worth much - i know a kid who won at nationals (as a senior, came in 2nd as a junior) and didn't get into wharton. I also know a kid who didn't do anywhere near as well and did (from the same hs).</p>
<p>...DO NOT DO ECs TO IMPRESSS COLLEGES!!!!!!</p>
<p>It's impossible to fake passion; rather, do what you like, and do it with confidence. IMO, if you can't think of something to do without having to post on this forum, then the ideas on here/this forum are useless. Don't pursue an EC b/c it appears here and member X thinks it'll look good. </p>
<p>On another note, I don't think Wharton has or will ever care if your ECs are or aren't business related...as long as you can prove your passion in them.</p>
<p>has anyone who got accepted into wharton started a club? ex: wall street, finance, etc.? I want to start something, although I don't know exactly how to do it or where to get started. (and yes...I really want to do this!)</p>
<p>I was accepted ED this year. I started a club during my Junior Year. It was a freshmen mentor program. It's not a business EC, but I saw the opportunity to take intiative and I took it. It seems like you want to start a business club. I suggest talking to an econ teacher at your school, a GC, friends who share similar interests and what not. </p>
<p>Actually, they have those online sites that let people use mock money to invest in the stock market. Maybe you could start a club in which you gather members who would play the game and then at the end of the year, offer cash prizes for members who made the most money. At the same time, you could hold information sessions about the stock market, wall street, investing, etc.</p>
<p>I'm the secretary in the stock market club we have at school. we use investopedia.com for their stock game. Each meeting we discuss strategies and whick stocks are good to buy/short, and then we also fundraise by going to other clubs and selling food. and we play halo. halo actually takes up most of our time. but thats besides the point. but you could do things like htat.</p>