Dear Darryl,

I think it depends on the circumstances of why you are leaving and what you will be doing. If you present it as being your plan from the get go, meaning you always planned to apply to b-school, then quit your job and do a volunteer experience for a few months before starting a program, I think it will be ok. It also depends on what the volunteer activity is--if it will aid your personal, and perhaps professional, development, then it will be much more palatable.

If you decide to disclose these plans upfront, then I would suggest having your volunteer experience already lined up. One last caveat--if you know you will interview after you quit, then you definitely should disclose the information in your applications; if you get asked about your current job in the interview and then you tell them you are not there anymore, it will give a negative impression.

Best of luck,
Lisa