Dear Applicants,
Why am I writing?
I am writing to respond to a standard statement I get to hear a lot of times
from the brightest of applicants:
"I do not have any associations with NGO's! How will I showcase my
community experience?"
Working on your applications, I do realize that many of you fail to understand
the term "Community Experience".
COMMUNITY WORK DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN AN NGO
EXPERIENCE!!!!
While there are applicants who not only had authentic NGO stories to present
to the admission committees, but also could project strong reasons for
supporting the society. In doing so, they could show the patterns of
continuous engagement from their past life (starting from the undergraduate
clubs and associations), and also weave in their reasons (why have you been
doing whatever you have been doing? What does that mean to you? Etc.
Etc.).
However, not all of you have had a chance to teach blind children or
participate in providing relief to the earthquake victims.
DO NOT WORRY ! You need to understand that Engagement in a
community has multiple forms. Schools are more keen on evaluating the
way you have been carrying yourself around in the society, and your
diverse engagements. You do not necessarily have to showcase a
humanitarian approach
Here are some activities that can be termed as 'community engagements' that
a candidate can incorporate in the essay (these include both NGO and
other engagements):
- If you graduated from your undergrad a long time ago, and are still an
active member of the alumni club, and have taken initiatives to
maintain that camaraderie, do mention it. It reflects your ongoing
involvement with your previous academic institution and is reflective of
your commitment for your next one too.
- Participation in a dance or drama
- Volunteering for social activities at school which includes either
participation or organising the same.
- Participating in a volunteering activity in which you were placed with
people different from you in various aspects such as education, income
level, nationality and so on.
- If you did some volunteer work that has some connection with your
POST MBA goals and you can weave the story around your equation
of employability, this is worth mentioning.
- You have been an active sportsman and have brought an immense
value to your sports team. It is also worth talking about along with the
skills that you developed while you were involved in those activities.
- Active involvement in politics, not superficial knowledge of the same
- Active participation in a musical band, group or orchestra in undergrad
or post that.
- Participated in a volunteer activity that helped you develop leadership
or teamwork skills
- Participation in an international social or volunteer activity.
- Actively organising an entire trip or activity for friends
- Having performed as an active member, organiser or leader of a team
which could be based on education such as an overseas trip, project or
a seminar
- Volunteering for social activities at the workplace which includes either
participation or organising the same.
It is important to remember:
A. 35 to 38% of the space on your resume should showcase your
involvement outside work( Including education and other activities)
B. If your school has more than two essays, you should create one
compelling story from your personal/social commitments while
responding to the question. Submitting three essays woven around
professional life may not be the best way to showcase a holistic profile.
Why am I writing?
I am writing to respond to a standard statement I get to hear a lot of times
from the brightest of applicants:
"I do not have any associations with NGO's! How will I showcase my
community experience?"
Working on your applications, I do realize that many of you fail to understand
the term "Community Experience".
COMMUNITY WORK DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN AN NGO
EXPERIENCE!!!!
While there are applicants who not only had authentic NGO stories to present
to the admission committees, but also could project strong reasons for
supporting the society. In doing so, they could show the patterns of
continuous engagement from their past life (starting from the undergraduate
clubs and associations), and also weave in their reasons (why have you been
doing whatever you have been doing? What does that mean to you? Etc.
Etc.).
However, not all of you have had a chance to teach blind children or
participate in providing relief to the earthquake victims.
DO NOT WORRY ! You need to understand that Engagement in a
community has multiple forms. Schools are more keen on evaluating the
way you have been carrying yourself around in the society, and your
diverse engagements. You do not necessarily have to showcase a
humanitarian approach
Here are some activities that can be termed as 'community engagements' that
a candidate can incorporate in the essay (these include both NGO and
other engagements):
- If you graduated from your undergrad a long time ago, and are still an
active member of the alumni club, and have taken initiatives to
maintain that camaraderie, do mention it. It reflects your ongoing
involvement with your previous academic institution and is reflective of
your commitment for your next one too.
- Participation in a dance or drama
- Volunteering for social activities at school which includes either
participation or organising the same.
- Participating in a volunteering activity in which you were placed with
people different from you in various aspects such as education, income
level, nationality and so on.
- If you did some volunteer work that has some connection with your
POST MBA goals and you can weave the story around your equation
of employability, this is worth mentioning.
- You have been an active sportsman and have brought an immense
value to your sports team. It is also worth talking about along with the
skills that you developed while you were involved in those activities.
- Active involvement in politics, not superficial knowledge of the same
- Active participation in a musical band, group or orchestra in undergrad
or post that.
- Participated in a volunteer activity that helped you develop leadership
or teamwork skills
- Participation in an international social or volunteer activity.
- Actively organising an entire trip or activity for friends
- Having performed as an active member, organiser or leader of a team
which could be based on education such as an overseas trip, project or
a seminar
- Volunteering for social activities at the workplace which includes either
participation or organising the same.
It is important to remember:
A. 35 to 38% of the space on your resume should showcase your
involvement outside work( Including education and other activities)
B. If your school has more than two essays, you should create one
compelling story from your personal/social commitments while
responding to the question. Submitting three essays woven around
professional life may not be the best way to showcase a holistic profile.
