Help in Extracurriculars

You are where I once was. I had learnt french, salsa, digital marketing, etc etc. In fact, I couldn't believe all that I had done. And I got into a few schools too, but not into my target schools. You know why? Schools don't really tell you why, but this guy who interviewed me at this one top school did tell me:

My profile wasn't focused enough! My resume did not show passion. It showed more of a "touch and go" sort of approach. I think they call that personality type "a dabbler". Dabblers dabble with something for sometime and then move on. Even in my essays I humbly bragged about how energetic and innovative I was, since I could get so much accomplished in so little time.

So the lesson? Be Specific and Focused. Your resume, essays, linkedin profile, anything that you have ever put online or even in your application forms has to present you as a focused BRAND.

You know what coke is known for? Soft drinks. Not chips, right?

Same way, you have to ask yourself: What is your Brand?
Would you like to be known as the girl who does a lot of good in society and would like to go into social entrepreneurship or the girl who is highly passionate about music and wants to be a marketing exec? The brand has to be unique to you!
Refer to this book by an admissions expert: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Business-Sch ... 492603880/

Or you can talk to some expert on BTG or locally who has a solid track record.

And remember you have to tie that Brand into your whole profile because adcoms spend less than 18 minutes looking at your WHOLE profile- essays, resume, transcripts, forms, recommendations, etc etc. So learn branding.

BTW, because I rambled on for so long, here is a tip about NGOs too. You can try United Nations Volunteers: Be a regular volunteer at www.unv.org or an online volunteer at https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/index.html

Hope this helped.

Hi Ananya,

I know your pain! I love to do 100 different things at once. In fact, my poor employees have to field all my ideas on a weekly basis and help me figure out which ones we're actually going to move forward on. The multipassionate struggle is real, my friend!

Digvijayk's generous sharing of his/her story and advice is spot on.

I just wanted to add my advice into the mix in case you needed help narrowing down your options. I think your best bet is to focus on your passion for music and helping others. Sure, go ahead and take the Alliance Francaise test (I also take French courses at Alliance Francaise!) if you're already well on your way to acing it, but I don't recommend you spend a lot of time studying for it. I want you to get out into the world and use your (likely very scarce) free time to make a difference while doing something you love.

Rather than separately taking music classes and joining an NGO, I suggest you combine the two and volunteer with an NGO that uses music, theatre, and/or dance to inspire, guide, and mentor disadvantaged youth. Some examples here in the U.S. are Ballet Afrique (https://balletafriqueaustin.org) and The Stargate Theatre Company (https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/education/stargate/).

There are a lot of these organizations, no matter where in the world you live. Why? Because everyone loves music and movement is so good for you! A quick Google search of the name of your city combined with phrases like "at-risk youth" or "disadvantaged youth" is a great place to start.

You can integrate your passion for photography by taking photos of the youth during their practice sessions and performances. Perhaps you could help the NGO put together a fundraising calendar featuring performance shots of the students during their first rehearsal or performance. Of course, remember that when working with minors, you should get their parents' permission before taking photos of them and/or selling those photos.

This is just one example of how you can wrap all of your passions into one cohesive extracurricular activity that makes you look creative, dedicated, and like a leader rather than scattered and confused.

Best of luck and have fun!

Kaneisha

Thank you so much Digvijayk and Kaneisha. Your suggestions are really insightful and helpful.I will definitely keep your advice in mind and try to follow it as much as possible.

ananya2710 wrote:Hi Everyone,

I'm interested in applying for HEC's MIM programme,but i have no extracurricular under the belt as of yet.I have an year to make up for it. I love music and helping others, so i'm planning on joining music classes and NGO, since i'm really passionate about these two. I have learnt French and i'm giving Alliance's Exam in December. I'm a decent photographer so i'm also contemplating with the idea of going for a photography course.Are these ECA enough to get me through HEC ?

Hi Ananya,

In a b-school application, the extra curricular activities that count the most are the ones where you make an impact not just on yourself but others too. With this perspective, your music interest will be termed as hobby, which is not as impactful as volunteering. Same is the case with photography. But if you were to start teaching music at the NGO, then you would make both your activities very relevant.

Go ahead and take your French test because it matters to HEC Paris.They'll be happy that you are already learning French.