Well-rounded MBA applicant from PE?
Hey all, likely going to be applying to business school next cycle from a UMM/MF PE gig. Im at a firm that does well with admissions (lots of H/S, some W) but not one of those firms with perfect admissions, and ideally would love to be at one of those three.
Issue is, I’m worried my profile is just not interesting / very generic on the IB/PE path.
I went to a good semi/low target with a good (not amazing) GPA, IB at a good (not absolutely top) bank, and am now at a solid PE fund, but just worry that nothing about this profile stands out. Im also a white guy so not doing myself any favors there.
Anyway, I’ve been looking at applications and wondering how people here deal with the community involvement aspect. The honest truth is I’ve been getting worked to the bone the last two years and don’t think this coming year will be any difference, and any time im not working I do things like socialize, work out, etc.
Have been reading about MBA admissions and it sounds like for someone like me, being involved in community service or on a nonprofit board or soemthing is a great way to differentiate (especially for HBS/GSB), but I don’t see how people in this field do that. I have some disposable income obviously but not enough to actually be a meaningful contributor (ie can’t just buy my way onto a board), and maybe I could spend the occasional weekend volunteering but I don’t see how I can be involved enough in an organization to show meaningful leadership.
Any advice here? Or any recs on good community service type organizations that offer low time commitment? I am genuinely interested and don’t want to just cheat to check a box here, just struggling to balance all of this with my job
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I did a couple sessions with an admissions consultant (who formerly worked in admissions at a T10 school) and his view was that extracurriculars are one of the least important considerations. Especially if you're working in highly demanding jobs, they understand you don't have that much free time. He also advised not to pick something up at the 11th hour just to put on your resume, as it can come off as disingenuous.
Although I can't guarantee the above is true at H/S since everyone is blue chip and you need to differentiate yourself somehow. Would defer to anyone with first-hand experience at those schools.
Board and community involvement is tablestakes, not a differentiator.
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