<p>Um...yeah...this is a serious question. Today I was listing all my ECs and I surprisingly found out the out of all of them, the one that took the most of my time is playing video games. I play on all systems (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii), everyday ranging from 2-20 hours (depending on my free time, obviously).</p>
<p>I plan on applying at top schools (i.e., HYPMS). I consider myself a competitive applicant with toughest workload (IB candidate + APs), Top 5%, 2200 SATs (at least on practice tests), really good ECs overall (President, co-founder, math competitions winner, 500+ volunteer hours, blah, blah, blah).</p>
<p>No, I'm not a professional gamer by any means (but I'm sure I can beat you at Halo 3 :)) I don't program games or intend to pursue a career related in videogame making. I'm simply a passionate videogame fan and I enjoy what I do.</p>
<p>Should I put videogaming on my application? How will HYPMS perceive this EC?</p>
<p>Yes, I believe you should just be yourself on your application. I think that honesty on an application is the most important thing. So, many other CC posters may tell you that it is a bad idea, but if you truly love playing then put it down. I say let the adcoms figure out the rest. Just be yourself, that's the only thing you can do.</p>
<p>The preconception that gaming = slacking off is really popular, though not always justified. If it's really important to you then put it down as an EC - but also write a essay that will make the admissions committee reconsider their stereotypes and view it as something valuable.</p>
<p>an essay topic for you could to be how gaming is often perceived as an activity meant for one person..that often anti-social people game tremendous amounts..but you can write about how gaming is really a social activity (like with xbox live and ventrilo and other communication services) and write how that impacted you in some way? idk, just a thought</p>
<p>I think it'd certainly be unique if you put that on your ec list. Just don't say that you spend 20 hours a week on it though, cuz that would look bad.</p>
<p>Today I wrote how shooting peoples head off in Halo 3 is my most time consuming EC. Oh, almost forgot, and stabing people repeately because I am ****ed.</p>
<p>No, the risk is not that they will perceive him as a "slacker," due to his otherwise impressive resume.</p>
<p>The risk is that he will appear to be an antisocial supernerd of epic proportions who spends all free time locked up in his room playing Halo until his eyes bleed instead of actually interacting with other human beings.</p>
<p>And it's a valid concern. Elite schools have more than their fair share of socially backwards geeks.</p>
<p>I don't know how unique it is, though. I thought the assumption was that nowadays kids play a fair share of video games. I would think that it's about as unique as watching TV, listening to music, or reading. I don't think it's a negative, but I really don't see it as something that enhances you beyond the average student. It's really not worth mentioning, in all honesty.</p>
<p>Adcoms are NOT impressed by gaming. Don't mention it. I've seen it listed as an unofficial 'rule' in a couple of college admissions book. </p>
<p>Don't argue for the 'social' aspect of gaming, don't do ANYTHING with it. It isn't unique.</p>
<p>I'm not saying it's a bad thing, because I play video games too. It's just that it can make you look pretty bad, and I think you'd be a better applicant without out.</p>
<p>So here's another vote for anti-listing-video-games.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You could try founding a gaming club or hosting a tournament for charity?
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Oh goodness. Why must all clubs and charity events begin as a manifestation of our own self-interest?</p>
<p>
[quote]
The preconception that gaming = slacking off is really popular, though not always justified. If it's really important to you then put it down as an EC - but also write a essay that will make the admissions committee reconsider their stereotypes and view it as something valuable.
[/quote]
I completely agree. Be honest. And if it is what you spend the most of your time on, mark down your hours with the truth and write your 150-word short answer on it. I think that's awesome.
Don't sell yourself short just because your peers don't think it's valid. You seem pretty committed to it.
If the concern is coming off as a slacker or antisocial, your other impressive ECs should cover that enough. It's okay to have your more introverted activity, not that gaming isn't social either.</p>
<p>I agree with shiftyeye. If you really want to do it, then do it. It'll definitely make you stand out (in a good or bad way), and if you do explain it in your 150-word short answer and explain how it fits in with the rest of your life and put a lot of care into it, it could definitely work. I'd expect mixed results from it (some schools might end up loving it, some might end up hating it), but then again, what do I know? That's just a guess.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why must all clubs and charity events begin as a manifestation of our own self-interest?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So are you saying that I should have founded a knitting club instead of a debating club at my school, even though I am interested in debate, and completely apathetic towards knitting?</p>
<p>To answer your question, people want enthusiastic leaders who are following their passions. This inspires people. If I founded a knitting club, it would die quickly because I have no interest in knitting. If you're founding a club just to look good on a college app, then potential members and adcoms will see through that.</p>