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Volunteer Experience?

by alexxasc » Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:57 am
Hello,

I am considering applying to Georgetown for Fall 2011. One of the essay questions has kind of stumped me because it asks about postgraduate work in the community and community involvement.

A) Please provide a bulleted list of your post-undergraduate involvement in the community. Indicate the nature of the activity or organization, dates of involvement, offices held, and average number of hours spent each month. B) What motivates you to continue contributing to the community?

With such a busy work schedule I haven't actually volunteered since I was in college. Is there another option/strategy in answering this question? I'm looking to apply during the Nov 15th deadline so I wouldn't have much time to join an organization. The only other involvement which is indirect would be contributing to public radio (NPR) for the last few years. Since my work schedule has mellowed out, I was thinking of doing some volunteer work for the station as they are very active in my community. If I aim to apply for the January deadline would this be a better strategy in answering the essay question?
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by Tani » Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:13 am
Your only option is the truth. Schools see thousands who claim volunteer work for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity based on one afternoon's weather-stripping. They are not impressed. Once you answer the first part of the essay, you are clearly labeled. The very specificity indicates that they are trying to avoid irrelevantly inflated volunteer resumes.

You can allude to your work schedule in the second part of the question, but only peripherally. You don't want to look as though you are whining about your lack of time. Be sure your focus stays on the primary question - your motivation. If your contribution to NPR is purely monetary, it won't help. If, in fact, you have contributed time or online material, for example, you can certainly talk about that - again focusing on motivation.
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by alexxasc » Mon Sep 13, 2010 1:54 pm
So the real question here is how do I write an essay about this topic if I haven't volunteered my time in recent years? This is a required essay so I'm not exactly sure what my options are. Going back to the NPR example I haven't contributed time or online material so I don't think it would be wise to use that example.
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by Tani » Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:13 pm
If you haven't done anything, simply say that your work demands have prohibited you from participating. IF you had a strong volunteer record in school you can mention that, but basically just tell it like it is and close. They see plenty of ibankers and that crowd who work seventy hour weeks and then collapse. You won't be the first. It won't help your application, but should not be a killer. If you are starting to get involved, tell them what you are planning and why it interests you and how you hope to benefit the group. Show them that you have thought about it. Just don't try to blow smoke - they are very, very good at figuring that out.
Tani Wolff
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by alexxasc » Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:58 am
Thank you both for your great feedback!

I was curious if I wanted to started volunteering now would that come across as disingenuous on my application? I recently was laid off by my company so I want to do something productive in addition to applying to school. I know that I will need to explain any gaps in my resume and volunteering is at least a relatively short term commitment.
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by mroper11 » Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:00 am
Hi alexxasc

Thanks for the post.

I know that your timeline is limited, but in case you decide to apply for the following year, please consider our professional group, USA Leadership Corps, as a way to enhance your volunteer experience essays.

We structure part-time volunteer nonprofit and small business strategy consulting projects for emerging MBAs who desire to strengthen their leadership, consulting, entrepreneurship, and/or community-involvement backgrounds. (Please google us to locate our website.)

Thank you & good luck.

Maxwell Roper
Outreach Director
USA Leadership Corps
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