<p>^ If x is illegal, to do x is to commit a crime.</p>
<p>Agreed with “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.” Just pointing out that ivygeek need not be so high and mighty:
“”“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 = crime though. </p>
<p>My point was that there are degrees of crime. This one is not massive, proven by the fact that the punishment is - as you say - so minor.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter if anyone thinks you’re clever for making the money. You are telling adcoms-who look for evidence of your character- that you are willing to break some law. You are telling them you think this is an appropriate topic for the app essay. It raises questions about your judgment, in both respects. </p>
<p>There are plenty of kids applying to Harvard and other top schools who made money by using their brains…legally. In this respect, yes, they might very well be more impressed by the kid who flipped burgers. As we say, “Danger, Will Robinson.”</p>
<p>Gambling under 18 is illegal in the U.S., and I think that’s the end of the story. Harvard might be required to report you to the IRS or something even if they were impressed enough to admit you. </p>
<p>There are many legal ways to pay for school, such as applying for grants, explaining your situation to the school, or getting a job. Believe it or not, there are people out there who WANT to give away money to deserving students. I’ve raised probably in excess of 50K as an officer in various clubs.</p>
<p>99% of students do not apply to Harvard, and I like to think that despite and in spite of what was portrayed in the Social Network, most of the admits don’t do illegal stuff.</p>
<p>Well, sorry for not telling before, I am international, and have payed 20% taxes. Seems like a bad idea, ok thanks!</p>
<p>Is it illegal to play, say, poker, without placing any bets (i.e., not for money) while under 18? Can’t see why it would be…</p>
<p>No, the play money tables are legal for all.</p>
<p>My advice? Take this experience and write a memoir, not a college essay.</p>
<p>Eh. I might go for it. It’s definitely a risk, but with 35,000 applicants, it something big like this to stand out.</p>
<p>Could you be cloudy with your timeline? That is, never say when you first began playing poker. That way, you won’t be lying, and you also won’t be admitting to illegal activity.</p>
<p>I’d say go with the “I used my brains to help my father” idea. I suppose it is bending the truth though, and that is definitely a big no-no in college apps. Morally I really have no issue with what you did, but to a college, this could be deemed unnecessary and scandalous, which is bad.
If you can find a way to play it off as legal without straight up lieing, then go for it. </p>
<p>But you could always own the negatives of your actions, and prove that you have been desperate, had a life experience, but learned something from it. It’s like having your cake and eating it too; not only are you brilliant and unique, you’re also more mature.
That’s the best option I can think of.</p>
<p>Wow, this is a HUGE risk…I think that it is a very interesting story, but you need to make it more of a college essay. From the way your synopsis sounds, you played online poker to pay for school. You need to emphasize how you really needed to pay for school, and how you decided to use your brains to support your educational goals in a different way. And if you write this essay, you really should write about it in an ethics-based discussion about whether your actions were justified or not (i.e. your actions were illegal, and you swindled hundreds of thousands of dollars from a company illegally, and is this a degrading source of income, and will you continue to do this in college; however, you needed this money to pay for an education, and doing this alleviated the burden off of your parents so they could support your family, and you will be an accomplished person who will help the world but you couldn’t do it without this education. just brainstorming). Harvard may be nervous that you’ll continue this gambling as a way to make income, and you need to stress that this was a temporary thing so that you could go to Harvard so that you could get a degree and make a positive impact in the world through your non-poker-related talents. This is a high-risk essay, but it is VERY interesting. You could either get immediately rejected, or you could immediately land a seat in next year’s class.</p>
<p>If you’re so lucky to have gambled and won over $100k, don’t you think you can gamble your luck with the essay and win one admission ticket to Harvard? :)</p>
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<p>I agree with this.</p>
<p>Still viable…</p>
<p>Please discuss.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>bump this thread</p>