<p>I thought so… The fact that you deposited a small amount means that you weren’t “gambling” too much of your own money, which sounds better. Point out that that was the minimum deposit (at least it is where I play) and that you started playing micros - 1/2c ring games or 1$ sngs I assume? - which again lends credulity to the fact that you took this seriously.</p>
<p>The fact though is that whichever way you spin it, it is illegal. You just need to find all these factors that appear to mitigate it. Hmmm, this interests me.</p>
<p>There must be a way to get them focussed on the fact that this was GOOD for everyone, despite the fact that it was illegal…</p>
<p>Yes, I have deposited 50$ and it actually took me quite some time to start winning, however I never deposited again. Yes, zero gambling on my side, 1$ sng’s, I fully sticked to money management.
From that point on, I have been playing solely cashgames. It is illegal and this upsets me. I think it is major accomplishment, right now I am thinking how to make it look appealing, or at least not as an illegal activity, in legal ways.</p>
<p>I’d say go for it, and embrace all the aspects good and bad about it. Face it, you have been gambling since you were 15, you are a risk taker and a good one at that if you’ve truly made that kind of money. That is who you are, and the next risk you get to take is whether Harvard likes that in a person. Those types of personalities can be very successful and depending on what the rest of your app looks like it could make for a positive result. Your essay is supposed to reveal who you are at your core, and this is what you are at your core: a scrapper and a scrambler who does what he needs to do to accomplish his goals. If Harvard likes how you write about it, you might get in…it’s another wager, just with way more daunting odds :D. Seriously though, don’t hem and haw about it and get all mealy mouthed about whether it’s right or wrong , just say “this is me, this is what I did, this is who I am…”</p>
<p>He hasn’t been gambling, that is the point he needs to make. Poker, if played intelligently and most importantly with good bankroll management is fairly predictable in the long term (25000+ hands). He has certainly played intelligently and with good roll management.</p>
<p>I do agree with almost everything else you say though nowletmeexplain.</p>
<p>I have played over 400k hands, meaning standard deviation is very slim for the winning rate I had. Proves it was not gambling, but matter of skill.</p>
<p>However, Wheeler story does not fit in… Anyway, I will apply only in 2 years from now.</p>
<p>If you do decide to present this story, it’s imperative that you be completely honest. With such a far-fetched story (that sounds rather like a movie plotline) you can bet that there’s going to be some digging. When AOs find inconsistencies or even a small white lie, they reject off the bat. With 35,000 applications to go through, anything is an excuse to get rid of your application.</p>
<p>Also note that this may complicate your financial aid application Plan on paying taxes sometime soon.</p>
<p>Mentos, would you say this is a good thing to base my essay on? How do you think adcoms will look at it? I need such story, because I am no way exceptional by any means other than that.</p>
<p>Hmmm… professing to an illegal activity to get ahead is a very bad idea in today’s ethics centered ideology…</p>
<p>Its not like you prostituted yourself to feed your family, more like you wanted to participate in the pleasure of a private education/ A better essay would have been you decided to forgo that money donate it to a worthy family who had a deserving student.</p>
<p>Saying you participated in that activity to buy the luxury of private education ( and perhaps better position you to “buy” your way into Harvard) is a very, very bad idea.</p>
<p>I actually would say you are precisely what we would not want to see at Harvard…</p>
<p>That said, and if you feel strongly you could hold your head up attending the most prestigious University in the world, and perhaps take a spot away from some deserving student who worked minimum wage to feed his/her family attending a public school with minimal resources trying to attend Harvard, then under those circumstances, why not write your essay allegorically, ( perhaps channel Tom Cruise in Risky business) such as, I invested 20 hrs a week in an investment that generated 100k a year…</p>
<p>What is even more saddening is all those who thought that this might be an acceptable practice, and we wonder why there is such distruss in the product of our edcuation system.</p>
<p>Would it be too much of a stretch to say that you coached or teamed with your Dad in playing poker to fund your education? Did he approve of, maybe sponsor your activity? I’m interested in your technique and as a non-poker player, how the game can be won using wit and logic. I think if you focus on your view of the game and strategy employed in your accomplishments, you can be a little vague about the identity of the actual player.</p>
<p>*I need such story, because I am no way exceptional by any means other than that. * </p>
<p>Harvard wants exceptional admits. </p>
<p>IF you are unexceptional, an essay about under-age gambling won’t make a so-so record into gold.<br>
IF you actually do stand a chance at Harvard, this essay can hurt. Adcoms are savvy adults. Do you want to risk a reader writing this comment: “uneasy about his willingness to admit breaking a law for personal gain.”</p>
<p>I don’t think Harvard will look on illegal acivities well and I don’t think this will help your application.</p>
<p>That said, anyone criticizing the OP’s character is being ridiculous. Gambling and drinking age limits and outlawing of drugs are laws in place to protect people from themselves. Drinking or doing illicit drugs, as long as you don’t hurt anyone while under the influence, is a completely victimless crime. Same with gambling: playing poker with the mindset and experience of an older player, but happening to be less than 18 does not hurt anyone.</p>
<p>What is against the law is not always wrong. Slavery, literacy, and poll taxes were once laws in this country. Call the OP a criminal, but don’t criticize his character or his conscience.</p>
<p>For the sake of conversation, lets pretend you get accepted. Have you considered how your poker income will affect your financial aid? </p>
<p>Also, did you report that to the IRS? Some online players face charges for not reporting winnings as income.</p>
<p>Finally, what room did you play on? I was in a similar situation and I managed to turn $10 (minimum first time deposit) into about $5,000 last summer; it was quite a grind, to say the least.</p>
<p>You have to decide how likely you are to get accepted without that information. I personally don’t think it would help you as much as it would hurt you, so a pro/con analysis would suggest that it’s a bad idea. If it helps you, it’s because it’s an interesting fact that may differentiate you from other applicants. If it hurts you, it’s because the admissions officer frowns upon illegal activity and you get rejected. The former is a little bit of help; the latter is a whole lot of hurt.</p>
<p>I don’t know any “victimless” crimes, depends on what you definition of vicitm is. Just becaue you think something is not a crme does not make participating in it any more favorable.
Illegal is illegal, plain and simple and I would not want anyone who thinks differently ( when there are so many other deserving poeple who beleive in getting by following laws) in my school, workgin for me whatever…</p>
<p>Illegal is not illegal, plain and simple. Even the law recognises that.</p>
<p>I would wager that 99% of 18 year olds have broken some law at some point - speeding, underage drinking, drugs… I can think of a hundred other minor misdemeanours that kids might commit.</p>
<p>This does not, however, translate into the idea that it would be prudent for students to write about profit-motivated speeding, drinking, and drug use.</p>
<p>Ivygeek - I can’t understand why you suppose that someone who worked for minimal wage deserves the place more than someone who invested money and made it by brain, not hands. Intellectual activity is a lot more stressful and difficult than just flipping burgers in McDonald. Would it be diffrent if I have traded on FOREX and made same amount of money? FOREX is illegal under 18. I can not show my skills and advantage because it is illegal. Again, I simply can not understand why someone should be rewarded because he could not find a more proficient way to solve the problem, why a guy who worked his ass off in McDonald should be a favorite to take a place? Please, explain.</p>
Plan on paying taxes sometime soon.</p>