Darden has a place for hobbies. I am a legitimate Scotch connoisseur, and it is something I am passionate about, but I feel like putting that will only get me trouble. I'm not pounding keystone light until I fall over; I have a genuine love for different types of highland single malts and speysides. What do you think? Should I put it down or nix it?
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No. The only people who would get it would be other scotch aficionados, and chances are they don't work in Darden admissions.
I think it adds character and is a good conversation starter. Adcomms are generally pretty conservative so if you think they will have any inkling that you are a raging alkie then I would refrain from including it. I personally would include it so long as the rest of your hobbies demonstrate that you are well-rounded.
How does this add character? It bothers me that someone exists that actually think this adds character.
I think this would be interesting to put on for a job interview, but risky for MBA admissions.
You should probably list your favorite foods as well, say something sophisticated like: "I enjoy fine dining at 4 star restaurants". Also, while your at it why not mention that you golf and play tennis.And perhaps include a picture of you with reading glasses that you don't need but are to sweet to realize, a black turtle neck, and jeans with an additional sweater around your neck reading a copy of the wealth of nations, without actually ever reading it. Maybe say something like "i'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative". I mean there are other ways you can really look sweet, but that'll knock the socks off of the darden admissions people.
btw, drinking scotch and wine doesn't make you sophisticated or say absolutely anything about your merit for getting into a business school. However, putting it on your resume seems to me like a desperate attempt to compensate for a shitty resume. The fact that you are a scotch connoisseur and have taken the time to become proficient in something so useless (may be a complete oxymoron to say proficient), not to mention that you even have the pride to mention it as a possibility for a resume, is a likely sign that even if you get into Darden, which I doubt you will by the implications of your question, you will never do much better than that.
The reason why you are a "connoisseur" is because when you were in college you looked around and you wondered to yourself, 'hey what can I do where i can stand out, requires absolutely no intelligence, work, or skill, is completely useless, but to some superficial morons may make me look semi-sophisticated', and sure enough you answered scotch and wine tasting. You are truly talented.
Dude, blow me. I am better than you.
NYCadvisor is a douchebag, but honestly, his viewpoint is pretty comparable to an admissions committee member.
Personally, I would leave it off for MBA applications, leave it on for MBA recruiting. You have to know your audience here. Most senior bankers will like it (it's a hobby that you can share with many clients of investment banks -- senior execs, just like golf). Most admissions committee members are early to mid-30s women who lean EXTREMELY left. Even if you're not a liberal, you need to act like one for MBA applications.
There's a huge disconnect between the culture of an admissions committee at an MBA program and the culture of real business. Realize this and exploit it to your advantage. Most men, especially ones interested or already working in Finance, really need to open up hearts and become well-liked by the admissions committee (see demographic above) during the application process. Scotch tasting will NOT accomplish this. Know your audience.
Thanks for the advice that actually makes sense.
While we're on the topic - what about Blackjack under interests, for FT IBD recruiting? I asked someone at a top boutique to review my resume, and he said he would advise to leave it off. But I would think bankers like blackjack as well and wouldn't categorize me as a gambler.
I decided it's better safe than sorry. Thoughts?
Not so much for b-school... more for IBD and PE recruiting am I alone in thinking it is better to downplay anything to suggest you come from a privileged background, whether you do or not. You'll generally deal with 2 types of people, those who come from privileged backgrounds and those who don't. So you've got 2 routes... (1) present yourself as the son of a blacksmith, being really smart and ambitious and being amongst the well heeled bunch through hard work... or (2) the well connected privileged kid who may have gotten into a top school and good job because of family connections, or may have on his own merit.
IMO, if someone in recruiting is from a middle class background... they will be able to relate to the challenges for a middle class person making the cut and excelling... showing how hard of a worker they are. And while not everyone will feel like this, it is possible that if presented with the second type of person, they will wonder what degree of merit and what degree of connections got that person to where they are today. Generally speaking, the modest background, rags to riches story is more likable and charming. As opposed to the kid who went to Hotchkiss Prep, Yale UG... and under interests he lists racing regattas, playing polo and collecting/smoking pre-embargo Cuban cigars
I'm not saying it is easier or harder for one person or the other, all I'm suggesting is that downplaying certain traits or signals could offer a benefit in perception. Lets face it, perception is reality.
Agree? Disagree?
Excellent post and I agree. It's best to downplay your socioeconomic background if at all possible (most of the upper class is taught this, so not a problem). Some MBA applications will ask you where you grew up (UCLA has a whole essay question on it, Columbia has a field in their application for where you grew up). If you list Greenwich or McLean or something, you're not going to be able to pull the middle-class kid card.
If you feel like it shouldn't be there then it probably shouldn't.
There are definitely other advantages to coming from a priviliged background than just "connections". For example, a kid who is going to be 2nd generation in the private equity or venture capital industry after his father (who has made partner), is going to understand things a lot better than a kid who grew up on a farm in Iowa. He is going to grasp the big picture much quicker. He is also going to have solid mentors to bounce ideas off and run to if he has issues/troubles.
These things cannot be overlooked and will all factor into total performance. In some cases, they can offset an average work ethic.
NYC fag:
gekko is a fucking military officer deployed in Iraq and an Air force Academy grad. With his 720 GMAT he can pretty much write his ticket
gekko: Most MBA programs have a wine club. They are also very social and have organized events with alchol served. They want people to be the social, drinking type.
I would list Wine under interests, and if they ask what clubs you will join, list wine club. Scotch probably is to aristicratic, but wine appeals to the liberal adcom types as well.
I also think it will take the rough edges of your military background. Make you seem more approachable.
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