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[GMATcoming]

Hi Lisa,

I had a few of questions:

1. When B-Schools ask students to list out months of full time experience, can one include the summer internships that one had in college?
I have a Masters degree and I had 4-5 different internships adding to a total of 11-12 months. That is a substantial amount of time and I don't know if I should add that to the months of full time experience when I am applying?

2.I belong to the most doomed profile for B schools (Indian/IT male),although I am working in USA currently. I have been a volunteer fire fighter with my county's fire department (20-25 hrs/week) for 2 years. Do you think this experience would be something I can write about in my essay to differentiate myself? I feel I can write more about my fire fighting experience than the job that I currently have

3. I have worked very closely with the fire chief of my department. Do you think I should consider getting a recommendation from him ?(I will be applying next year so I have plenty of time to talk to him)Could it be my second recommendation or will it have to be the optional third recommendation (if schools allow)?

Thank you for your response

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear GMATcoming,

1. When B-Schools ask students to list out months of full time experience, can one include the summer internships that one had in college?
No, you do not include your internships in the quantity of work experience. Those experiences are important and can be included on your resume. However, reporting standards define work experience as full-time, professional experience after graduating with your bachelor's degree.

2. I have been a volunteer fire fighter with my county's fire department (20-25 hrs/week) for 2 years. Do you think this experience would be something I can write about in my essay to differentiate myself?
I definitely think you can write about your experience as a volunteer fire fighter and that it will differentiate you from the applicant pool.

3. I have worked very closely with the fire chief of my department. Do you think I should consider getting a recommendation from him?
Yes, I think he would be a great recommender, especially if you write about your fire fighting experience. He would serve as your second recommender and a current supervisor to some degree.

Good luck,
Lisa