Stock trading as extra-curricular in essays

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praslee: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 7; Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:39 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by praslee » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:12 pm

Can I portray stock trading as my extra-curricular activity. Honestly, I spend at least 2-3 hours a day trading stocks or researching about them. I know I can position it well, but even then can you tell if this will impress adcoms?

The one unimpressive aspect of stock trading is that I haven't done anything for the 'greater good'.
Thanks.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask Stacy Blackman | Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:12 pm

parore26: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 147; Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:43 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 19 times

by parore26 » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:15 am

Community service is an extra-curricular activity but you're right in that stock trading won't be classified as a community service. I'm not quite sure how effective this would be considered as an extra-curricular activity since many applicants probably have an active portfolio of stocks.

If you can show that you've beaten regular indices consistently then please pm me and I'll buy your paper portfolio

just kidding!

One way you could distinguish is if you've been able to actively beat the market by a reasonable margin and talking about how you achieved it.

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jelt: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 102; Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 3:05 am; Thanked: 13 times

by jelt » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:01 pm

I think, more problematic than it not being a community service is the fact that it does not really involve any other people. Traditional ECs are important because they involve interacting with and leading other people outside of your core work/studies.

Nonetheless, stock trading can show your passion (provided, I think, it isn't just money that drives you) as well as your drive and desire to learn more about a field outside of school/work.

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Amy: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 573; Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:58 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 29 times

by Amy » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:56 pm

Hi praslee,

Stock trading is both a common side hobby of MBA students, and an activity that does not include other people as both jelt and parore26 pointed out.

I think it's a great hobby to mention in your application when asked about hobbies, or within an essay that discusses your interests in general, but I would not spend an entire essay on it. You want to demonstrate teamwork skills, leadership skills and management potential, and I think other examples are generally better for that purpose.

Good luck!

Amy

Amy
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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praslee: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 7; Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:39 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by praslee » Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:37 am

Thanks everyone. I do understand that it is a common interest that most of us have.

I haven't done any one thing that really shows my extra-abilities. However, there are many small thing that I do that may all add up. I guess I will have to formulate a strategy to come up with a holistic package rather than these individual ones.

Thanks.

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