Extracurriculars, hobbies, community – what makes your MBA application stronger?

There is a common mistake MBA candidates make way too often. One that can end up costing them a lot.

At the start of the MBA application process, they look at the class profile of their target MBA programs. There, work experience is always featured prominently. Maybe it’s an average of five years, or a mid-80% range of around 3-8 years for many full-time MBA programs. 

The mistake candidates frequently make is to simply confirm they fit within the range and move on with the application. Not a good move, dear MBA hopeful! Work experience is far more than merely the number of years you have worked in a post-undergraduate job. There is a big difference between two years in a high-responsibility position under challenging circumstances vs six years doing pretty much the same thing.

More importantly, one thing the work experience ranges don’t capture is actually not related to work at all. It’s what you do outside of what you are paid for! What you do with your free time can make all the difference and might just nudge you from a good applicant to a “must admit”.

Early in your application process, ideally as you create your brand-new MBA-specific resume, a deep analysis of your professional experience is invaluable. Part of the analysis should answer the question “What is missing from my work stories?”

Which brings us to the topic of extracurricular activities.

But what does “extracurricular activities” really mean when it comes to your MBA application?

Collectively, the term refers to everything you got involved in outside of class as a student, outside of your job responsibilities as a professional, and in your life outside of school and work in general.

What qualifies as an extracurricular activity?

From sports to hobbies to being part of a community that is important to you, everything is fair game! But that doesn’t mean that you should not put a lot of thought into parsing out what to include, where, and how. You may have heard me talk about how your MBA application is an exercise in strategic communications. Well, this very much applies to how you think of your extracurriculars.

Extracurricular activities may end up being the perfect way to showcase your leadership, teamwork, and time management skills. I call it “being part of something that is bigger than yourself”. What might that be in your life?

Here are seven important rules about extracurricular activities you should follow in your MBA application:

Rule #1: Show, don't tell.

In your MBA application, the most unconvincing thing you can do is to simply say that you possess leadership qualities. Instead, you need concrete examples. Little vignettes that tell a story of leadership on your behalf. Here, extracurricular activities can come in handy. Whether it's leading the entrepreneurship club as an undergrad, volunteering for a non-profit where you tutor young minds in math, or even starting your own venture (even if it failed!), your extracurricular activities can showcase your ability to motivate, inspire, and help others. So, it’s time to show the admissions committee how you've put that into action!

Rule #2: Quality over quantity. Impact is king!

It's not about having an endless list of extracurricular activities on your MBA resume; it's about the impact and depth of your involvement. It’s also about your motivation for getting involved. MBA admissions committees are looking for candidates who have made a meaningful contribution to their community or organization. They want to know how you made a difference. Harvard Business School calls it “Engaged community citizenship”. They look for candidates who are “eager to share their experiences, support their colleagues, and teach as well as learn from their peers”. So, instead of listing every activity you've ever participated in, focus on the ones where you've made a significant impact and left a place, project, or a group of people better or stronger than you found them.  

Rule #3: Connect the dots - to your career goals, that is.

Extracurricular activities can be a great way to strengthen the case of how you will accomplish your career goals (yes, business schools expect you to do that in your MBA application!). You can use them to show how you have gained experience and developed skills that will be useful in your future career goals. Involvement in a start-up company or a business plan competition can be part of your story about your pivot to a new industry. Or you can highlight your experience leading a small task force at work or in school as the place where you honed your leadership skills, even if you never managed anyone.

Rule #4: Show diversity in your interests.

While it's important to have a clear focus in your extracurricular activities, it's also great to show that you have diverse interests. This could include participating in a cultural club, joining a debate team, or learning a new language. As a former MBA AdCom and now an MBA admissions expert, one of my favorite lines in an MBA resume is what I call “the fun line” – where you list your hobbies and interests. In my life as Dean of MBA Admissions, if you listed “travel” or “reading”, you could bet I would have started your MBA admissions interview there – maybe even spent more time on those than your actual work experience!

Rule #5: Highlight your leadership contributions.

MBA AdComs are looking for candidates who have the potential to be future leaders in their industry. Your extracurricular activities can demonstrate your leadership potential by highlighting the roles you've held in your community or organization. Whether it’s leading a team in a sports league or organizing a fundraising event, your extracurriculars can be a perfect way to augment an MBA resume that might not have “manager” in any of your titles.

Rule #6: Connect it to your academic record.

Your extracurricular activities might just be what mitigates any weaknesses in your academic record. For example, if you had a lower GPA in your undergraduate studies, your involvement in a business club or competition can demonstrate your interest and aptitude for business. But don’t forget that a low GPA needs a much more serious look so use the “Guide to the GPA in MBA Admissions” to do that.

Rule #7: Be genuine.

Stay humble and authentic. I can’t say this enough. Don't choose extracurricular activities solely because you think they will impress the MBA admissions committee. Instead, choose activities that you are genuinely interested in and have a true passion about. This will come across in your application and demonstrate your authenticity and commitment. And in general, trying to impress the MBA AdCom is usually an exercise in futility. We have seen it all and can spot insincerity from a mile away! Don’t aim to impress, aim to excite!

Bonus tip: Your extracurricular involvement may also end up being the perfect place to demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Onwards and upwards,

Petia