<p>My resume has the typical 4.0, 2300+ SAT, 5’s on AP’s, club presidencies, and state/national honors in various extracurriculars, but something that I consider interesting about myself is how I’ve made around $3000 from selling video game items. Yeah, in-game items (TF2 hats to be precise).
I’m torn - it shows my business savviness (if that’s a word) and moral character (admin/moderator/trusted seller of various sites), but it could also show a negative side (Asian male addicted to video games). If a college likes it, it would probably set me apart, but it could also kill a borderline app, which I will in all likeliness end up as.
There have probably been threads similar to this (or at least about competitive video games), but I can’t find any of them.</p>
<p>Any and all input would be welcome, but I won’t add you on Steam.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You need a reality check. A 4.0 is not typical among admitted students. At schools with less than a 50% acceptance rate, admitted students are already above average. The same thing goes for a 2300+.</p></li>
<li><p>The typical club presidencies are pointless ones that are little more than titles. Colleges recognize this and therefore don’t put all that much weight into your so-called leadership unless you manage to demonstrate that you actually did something with your leadership role.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Anyway, as for your actual question, you should definitely include this on your application. It demonstrates business ability, responsibility, focus, and that you’ve managed to turn your hobby into something profitable.</p>
<p>It makes little sense to criticize you for playing video games too often, because the usual argument against playing video games too much is that they’re not productive and they’re pointless. Clearly, if you’ve made lots of money off them, they’re hardly a waste of your time.</p>
<p>I think this is a strong and unique aspect of your application.</p>
<p>However, if your transactions are in any way illegal or against the game’s rules, you should not include this information.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response! What you said was basically my ‘best-case scenario,’ and it’s good to hear that. I meant the first little bit somewhat in jest, mocking the average over-achieving Asian kid. But yeah, I’m looking at top-tier schools (10% acceptance ■■■). The transactions aren’t illegal.</p>
<p>From the way you’ve described yourself, this is the only thing that really sets you apart. So yes, I would include it. If one school sees it as a bad thing and one as a good thing, then you’ve got an acceptance and a rejection. But if both schools look at your application and don’t see what makes you different from their other thousands of statistically qualified applicants, then where are you?</p>
<p>Yes, include it. It’s your business adventure with pretty impressive earnings (considered you’re only a hs kid). It doesn’t matter if you are selling video games or fine arts.</p>