poker on college application

[chisness]

AJ,

What major are you thinking? Engineering? Econ?

[ActionJeff]

I haven't really decided, but I guess I should for the application

econ is a possibility. Probably not engineering or math, even if I'm good at it, I find it to be unbearable. I've always really liked physics, but when I actually took AP Physics I found it to be really dry and uninteresting, and I fell behind. Business and biology seem like candidates, as well as lots of BS majors.

At the moment I am not particularly interested in anything academic, and hate having to make a commitment. Several years down the line, I'd like to be doing something I enjoy or something I can have some free reign in. I just don't know what that is. Stock broker? heh. I really don't know.

[jgunnip]

There's nothing wrong with the list of schools you have right now. You can always transfer if where you end up is what you're looking for. Don't look yourself into academic commitments you don't make to fulfil.

If you're gonna talk about poker I'd focus your thoughts around the business that is cardrunners and your travels, and not much on anything poker strategy related. I'd mention that it is a game of skill once and then move on to something else. Be original though.

lol at the pay for 3 months up front comment [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[ARTYFISHALL]

Do both.

[Dave D]

[ QUOTE ]
birdy,

obv

catalyst,

is it bad if I dont know and am not going to decide until I have to write it in the application? lol

idk about ivey league, im not shooting that high. honestly id be pretty happy to get into northeastern or UNC or UWA. I don't think I'd even be up to the work load of a top notch school, even if I somehow could get in. I prefer taking it a little easier and enjoying making money at poker.

ty for the perspectives so far.

-Jeff

[/ QUOTE ]

LoL.

You still don't get it. Getting into UNC, or really any competitive southern state school is going to effectivly be as hard for you as getting into a top 30 private BECAUSE YOU'RE FROM OUT OF STATE. You probably will not get in to UNC. I don't know why you have this list of low schools, and then UNC. You might as well throw harvard on there.

My advice in the "what have you been doing" column is just to write that you were writing for a magazine called cardrunner. Don't even mention poker. That way it says you were writing, which is good.

There's no sense in paying for a rediculously expensive NU education when you can get a better one at a better school, for probably less money elsewhere.

[Dave D]

[ QUOTE ]
Please, I wrote my college essay on how I became an atheist and got accepted tons of places. You don't get much worse in terms of social stigma than that.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, do you know anything about the left wing intellectual elite in this country? They probably considered you a hero for writing about that.

Writing about poker would make them think "oh, another one of these poker brats, we have a serious problem with them on campus as it is, remember what happened at Lehigh?" Definatly won't make him stand out, that's fo sho.

[ActionJeff]

Dave,

ok, I get your point.

Do you think I should even mention CR on all my apps (at the risk of them researching it and seeing it is poker related?).

It seems that some people think anything poker related at all is a bad idea, but that I should mention CardRunners anyway-I'm not sure how I would do this without at least having to mention poker. On the other hand maybe I could get away with mentioning poker (without going into detail on the strategy or specifics of the game) on at least a couple applications just to differentiate myself from other applicants with better grades.

[Bill King]

[ QUOTE ]
Dave,

ok, I get your point.

Do you think I should even mention CR on all my apps (at the risk of them researching it and seeing it is poker related?).

It seems that some people think anything poker related at all is a bad idea, but that I should mention CardRunners anyway-I'm not sure how I would do this without at least having to mention poker. On the other hand maybe I could get away with mentioning poker (without going into detail on the strategy or specifics of the game) on at least a couple applications just to differentiate myself from other applicants with better grades.

[/ QUOTE ]

have you ever written for the 2+2 magazine? that would probably look good.

[ActionJeff]

no, I don't post much. Don't want to give away my secrets (which is why I make cardrunners videos obviously)

[higher_energy]

AJ,

i skimmed through the thread and i think you should:

1)raise your self-esteem. don't even think about having Northeastern as your top school. You can get into a better school and you loose absolutely nothing if you apply to the ivy's. Low GPA - it sucks and you better be able to talk well about it in an interview. There is always an option of writing an additional essay explaining your situation.
They schools receive thousands of APs 99% of which are the same with generic college app. essay about father-son relationships, adopting to a new situation and overcoming difficulties or how being in the band for 4 years got you nothing but blisters from masturbating.
You are unique and you will stand out if you can articulate your poker background well, together with your magic accomplishments and your high SATs. Maybe the guy who is reading your essay loves poker or also played magic => you are in.

This should occupy a TON of time and its worth every second. $50 app fee+50hrs of writing the essay+10hrs on each additional essay+a few minutes to order the school's original app.+campus visit+networking with alumni = diploma which is so much more valuable than the effort that you put in.
Once it comes time to graduate and you and your friends will be looking for jobs, you will be pissed at yourself after you look at the Harvard's career website and see Fortune 500 companies and top investment/consulting shops are kissing their ass 24/7.
i learned it the hard way. i had the opportunity to go pretty much anywhere but did not take the risk and [censored] it all up, got scared and decided to do ED to a decent but def. not top school.
i had strong ambitions but at the end of this process i was so drained and my college counselor lowered my self-esteem so much that i withdrew my aps from harvard and just rushed EDII.....ok harvard reject hahahha.

on the separate note, they are the biggest bitches cause they sent out a letter saying "Congrats, you are waitlisted!"

anyways...so take everybody's advice with a grain of salt. apply everywhere...just all over the place. you have nothing to loose but the opportunity to make the most of your time in the next 4 years.

also, i would def. say which major you are interested in. it shows focus ..maybe determination. colleges like it.

i just put down comp sci. + history cause i didnt know what i was doing and these were the APs that i was taking at the time. as soon as i got to school, i changed to econ/ir.

best of luck man....also have everybody you know read all your crap - essays, emails, thank you notes, resume etc.
more is always better here