Ask Stacy Blackman

Hello Amy and Stacy

First of all I would like to thank you for contributing your time to the forum. It is always interesting and helpful to read your opinions.
I have a couple of questions regarding my application.

1)Is it better to highlight ones interests and extracurricular activities in the resume or in the essay? How does one include this info in the essay if there is no question on hobbies.

2)I have been very active in all extracurricular activities during my university days, but for the last 5 years I have been working for 15 hours a day. So all that has stopped, will this hurt me?

3)Have taken a year off since I got married last year and had to relocate to USA. So have a gap of 1 year in my CV. I can explain this but any idea on how this is viewed?

4)I will be applying only to Ross Business School . What do you feel about my profile?


Thanks you in advance for your guidance

Below is the relevant information on my profile –

GPA, major, school
1) BSc Food Science & Quality Control – India, First in the University (All India Level)
2) MBA Marketing, Pune University – Distinction ( Note - based on what I want to do next and my current needs I find the old MBA lacking. So I want to pursue a 2nd MBA)
3) MSc Food Production Management, Nottingham University. Distinction (Top of the class)

Resume Highlights

Work Exp – 4.5 Years Nestle Switzerland (Global Head Office)
Job Profile – Project Management / Internal Consulting
Area – Operations Improvement, Procurement & R&D related Projects
Role – Business Analyst (1 year), Senior Analyst (1 year). Project Leader (2.5 yrs)
International Exposure – Worked in over 25 countries & all continents

- GMAT with breakdown – will appear in Dec 1st week

- Extracurricular involvements
First prizes at state level (all three years of undergrad) in Elocution & Debate
Student Body Leader – Held various positions including class representative, treasurer, and cultural secretary. As such active in various non academic activities
Active member of the university NSS (National Service Scheme - NSS volunteers are required to complete 120 hours of national service per academic year. They are also required to complete one special camp for sustainable national development)
- Awards
Best All Round Student (Undergrad)
DIFID Scholar (Awarded by British Government together with University of Nottingham). Range of other scholarships

Hi ri2007,

It sounds like you have some interesting work experience, but you do lack extracurriculars which may be a weakness. Since you don't have any recent extracurriculars to highlight in an essay, you may want to list them on the application. If you were to discuss extracurriculars in an essay, it would usually be in a question about leadership or impact on a group or organization.

If you have a good reason for your year off you will just need to explain it. I would suggest applying to more than one school, there is never a guarantee at the top MBA programs, and if you are set on attending this year your chances will be better if you apply to several schools.

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Amy

Thanks so much for your reply. A question about extracurriculars. What can you include as extracurriculars ? In the last 5 years I have arranged many team building activities in various parts of the world, done some amazing things including trekking the Himalayas, white water rafting in Siberia, gone diving in the great barrier reef. I have also contributed money every year to certain charities. However with a 15 hours work day it was not possible for me to do any active community service. How would you suggest I best represent myself? Would the admission committee be interested in some of the things I have mentioned?

Thanks again.

Hi ri2007,

I think they would be interested in all of the things you mention (with the possible exception of making charitable donations). Organizing team building sounds like a volunteer activity, while travel and sports are generally considered hobbies.

Good luck!

Amy