I am planning on applying Round 1 to various top schools (MIT, HBS, Columbia, and Wharton). My terms on various non-profit boards are ending this summer (3 in June and 1 in August). I've really enjoyed my work with these boards and I've been involved with all of them for between 2-4 years. But I'm spread very thin right now between work, traveling back and fourth (about 8 hours each way, so 16 hours total, every other week) to be with my Mom who has stage 4 cancer, and getting in gear for apps.
So, my question is essentially this: Is it okay to NOT renew these board positions JUST as I'm going into the admissions process (since I'm applying in October)? I'd essentially only be serving on one low commitment non-profit Associate Board (not amongst the 4 activities referenced above) and MAYBE staying on with one of the above non-profits (they've asked me if I'd like to continue onto the governing board since I'm currently Past Chair of the Associate Board). I'd also be teaching a law school course in addition to my day job (at the same law school).
I don't want to look like I dropped those commitments as soon as it came time to apply but I'm also really over-extended and need time for myself, my family, and my apps. I've been the Chair/president of 5 different activities already and been involved with the orgs for years so there's kind of no where else to move within the orgs.
So, my question is essentially this: Is it okay to NOT renew these board positions JUST as I'm going into the admissions process (since I'm applying in October)? I'd essentially only be serving on one low commitment non-profit Associate Board (not amongst the 4 activities referenced above) and MAYBE staying on with one of the above non-profits (they've asked me if I'd like to continue onto the governing board since I'm currently Past Chair of the Associate Board). I'd also be teaching a law school course in addition to my day job (at the same law school).
I don't want to look like I dropped those commitments as soon as it came time to apply but I'm also really over-extended and need time for myself, my family, and my apps. I've been the Chair/president of 5 different activities already and been involved with the orgs for years so there's kind of no where else to move within the orgs.
