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Would community work done in high school count?

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Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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Would community work done in high school count?

by xyz21 » Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:03 pm
This is for the 'community impact' part of the application. I haven't been involved in any NGOs / charities / social work after graduating from high school.

However, for two years in high school I taught poor kids in a poor neighborhood. This was almost 10 years ago. I wonder if I can use that experience in my applications or if it's too old?

If I do any community work between now and R2 deadlines (Dec / Jan) then AdCom will probably see right through it as a way of checking a box, right?

How important is it to have community work experience?
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by Lisa Anderson » Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:21 am
Dear xyz21,

Yes, anything done in high school is probably too far in the past to have any real impact. As employers do when evaluating applicants for jobs, business schools also put the most value on what you have done in the recent past (i.e. the previous 3-5 years). Any activities you have done in college are noted, but it is what you have done since college that tends to make the most impact. It is possible any activities you take up now will be disregarded, but you never know. If you do decide to get involved, it is probably best to pick something you are genuinely interested in.

How important community service is in your evaluation is relative to the schools you apply to as some value this experience more than others. It is not an automatic rejection if you have no recent community service activities, but it can be a positive if you do not have much work experience. Similarly, it is another way to demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills if you do not utilize those skills much at your job.

Good luck,
Lisa
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Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:51 pm

Thanks very much

by xyz21 » Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:34 pm
Lisa,

Thanks for your response.

I have 4 year of work experience after graduating from masters program. I was in consulting so basically I worked most of the time. I know that's not an excuse because all the consultants will say pretty much the same thing. I'll try to think of something creative.

By the way, I am working in industry now.

Regards,
xyz
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