Law school app- not sure if right place or not

[WHEN_WE_ESCAPE]

I need to write an essay on 'interesting background experience' and I wrote about poker and it sounds like one big brag.

Roughly, poker has made me lots of money to do lots of cool things that most people cannot do. And I do it while working less, traveling more and at the end of the day I'm much happier than those 9-5 bastards.

Is this a really bad idea?

[chesspain]

Good luck with the impression you'll give about being a slacker.

[Henry17]

Your grades and LSAT are what matter. I wouldn't worry too much about the essays. Also the quality of your writing is much more important then the content.

[WHEN_WE_ESCAPE]

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Good luck with the impression you'll give about being a slacker.

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Ya...is there a better way to address poker as an interesting background experience? Or should I just avoid it in your opinion?

[golfnutt]

I would avoid talking about it. Might end up in the hands of someone who associates (rightly?) poker players as degenerates.

[BRDSR]

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Your grades and LSAT are what matter. I wouldn't worry too much about the essays. Also the quality of your writing is much more important then the content.

[/ QUOTE ]

For instance, be sure to use the word "than" when comparing two things. Be sure to use the word "then" when describing something that happened subsequently or as a result.

Henry and I have a little feud going on about how difficult law school is; he thinks it's really easy.

I would advise against a brag essay as part of your admissions application, but I won't go so far as to say it's definitely a bad idea. Just a riskier one than other possible choices.

[WHEN_WE_ESCAPE]

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[ QUOTE ]
Your grades and LSAT are what matter. I wouldn't worry too much about the essays. Also the quality of your writing is much more important then the content.

[/ QUOTE ]

For instance, be sure to use the word "than" when comparing two things. Be sure to use the word "then" when describing something that happened subsequently or as a result.

Henry and I have a little feud going on about how difficult law school is; he thinks it's really easy.

I would advise against a brag essay as part of your admissions application, but I won't go so far as to say it's definitely a bad idea. Just a riskier one than other possible choices.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lol @ then. Anyway, I guess I'll have to think of other interesting background experiences I have, other than, of course, the obvious. But I'm afraid there might not be too many others. Hmm

[pococurante]

You definitely run the chance of it being read by someone who has no clue about poker, and thinks gambling is for suckers.

But if it's way better than any other idea, I think it could work. Those people get tons of generic everyday stories... giving them something interesting to read about might be nice.

I recommend focusing on the "do lots of cool things, working less, traveling more, much happier" aspect of it. Simply explain poker as a game of putting the money in when you're favored, much like the house does in casino games. Maybe explain a bit about how emotional play, tilt avoidance, and bankroll management are important... take the focus off the gambling/luck.

Stock market comparisons could work (some people invest in mutual funds, you invest in TPTK). Or you could compare it to running a business... you make an investment, put in some work, earn some profit. If you have a high ROI and continue to do well, you expand into more profitable markets (moving up in stakes), and so on.

[Johnes Benjamin]

That old dude from rounders was totally down, go for it!
Seriously though, I agree you should focus more on what it enabled you to do but it is also better to talk about something interesting and unique than the same boring crap.

I would presume taking the risk of finding someone who hates gambling is +EV compared to, you know, building churches in mexico or whatever.

Also LOL at then, quite humorous

[Ganjasaurus Rex]

[ QUOTE ]
I need to write an essay on 'interesting background experience' and I wrote about poker and it sounds like one big brag.

Roughly, poker has made me lots of money to do lots of cool things that most people cannot do. And I do it while working less, traveling more and at the end of the day I'm much happier than those 9-5 bastards.

Is this a really bad idea?

[/ QUOTE ]
You're much more successful and happier than those 9-5 bastards, but yet you want to go to law school and join them? Makes no sense.