Stanford rejected me. My next choice is MIT (though I’m really missing Stanford – after my 8 weeks of summer there).
So how significant does a project need to be to make it count in the Maker Portfolio? I’ve developed an app or two and I’m sure many applicants to MIT have done so. In 2015, it’s not something too arcane. It’s not a world changer either. Anyone with reasonable coding skills should be able to do it. I did it for a Canadian-American company that employed me and I’m an international student.
Should I submit it as a part of the Maker Portfolio or will I seem very superficial or “fluffy” for doing so?
I remember reading a similar question by someone else, and Chris answering that a Maker Portfolio can’t decrease your chances of being admitted to MIT (or something along those lines) - so having said that, it could be worth submitting if you feel that it could help your application (and if you feel that the money and time is worth it).
Now, I can’t seem to find the exact comment, but I do recommend watching Chris’ talk on the Maker Portfolio from October last year. It’s really great and it might give you a general idea of what some people submit: https://youtu.be/vCpk2R4ak9k
I also highly recommend watching Dr. Dawn’s talk from the World Maker Faire New York City 2013. She covers a lot of great stuff that can help when thinking about submitting a Maker Portfolio: http://library.fora.tv/2013/09/22/when_makers_apply_for_college