<p>I started a small social media management and web design firm, and I was wondering if the admissions counselors will view this as a good thing or a bad thing. I was thinking that it will make me stand out, but not I am worrying that they might view it as something that will take my time and attention away from school. Should I put it on my applications or not?</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Try reframing the question: “How can I ensure that this is seen as a good thing?”</p>
<p>If you plan to continue the company while pursuing your studies, you should in any case be starting <em>now</em> to create ways to minimize the time the company requires of you. Find ways to delegate, outsource, automate and streamline so that you maximize value while minimizing the demands of the company on your time to learn.</p>
<p>Then, now that you are taking those steps, write not only about how you founded the company and built it up, but how you are consciously designing it to complement your education instead of conflicting with it.</p>
<p>Demonstrating that with your actions will be far more powerful than words alone saying “I promise you this won’t distract me. No, really.” </p>
<p>@DreamSchlDropout Where would I do that? I am using the common app, so should I put that in the description of activity? Thanks for your help! </p>
<p>starting a company means what? If you have actual sales for non-trivial amounts and accounts it looks good, provided they are not relatives and family friends. You ought to think about showing that it is a real company and not just a resume-filler.</p>
<p>“Where would I do that?” Your essays, perhaps. </p>
<p>If you’re just listing it as an activity, then do so and don’t worry about it unless you are asked about it. I thought you meant to feature it more prominently, perhaps in your essay.</p>
<p>You should still work on minimizing the time investment, though. It’s not just academics that will demand your time in college, but a vast array of social and extracurricular options. You’ll thank yourself later for spending time now to carve out time to explore it all.</p>
<p>@mikemac I’ve made a small amount of money, not from family,friends etc. About $300 dollars. Should I still list it?</p>
<p>$300? It’s your call. I’m not an adcom, but if I were I would translate it into equivalent hours at minimum wage, which is roughly $7/hr. So you could have earned $300 with around 40 hours or so of work. Would someone list that as an EC? Is 40 hours of work or volunteer time a significant amount? Your call. </p>
<p>Why did I translate it to min wage? Its a coarse measure of effectiveness. If you spent 1,000 hours and the result is $300, it wasn’t time well spent in terms of business, and part of what you’re selling colleges on is your judgement. I’m not really seeing this side business stand out as a business, as an impressive “social media management and web design firm”. “Starting a company” sounds wonderful, “Starting a company that has earned $300” less so. But that’s just my point of view, others may differ.</p>
<p>@mikemac Thanks for your opinion. I’m going to make sure I mention several times that it is a small business. I’m hoping that the adcoms don’t look at it purely for the numbers, but also see that I worked hard, persevered, did what I enjoyed and was ambitious (even with a lack of success). I think that even with a lack of success, it can help me stand out because of the other qualities it shows. What do you think?</p>
<p>I also don’t want to seem like I’m lying or making it up or exaggerating, so should I mention specifically how small it is? </p>
<p>Do you think the adcomms would call and ask for the numbers? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>positively. i wouldnt be too worried about how much money the company actually made.as long as you have decent grades, then i think it shows that you have initiative to start a company. its a positive thing. i would definitely mention it.</p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>I wouldn’t describe what you’ve done as starting a company–basically, you’re an independent contractor who’s doing work for hire. That’s not peanuts, but it isn’t really starting a company. I’d focus on the fact that you took the initiative to market your skills and that people have hired you to do jobs. How does this fit in with your career goals? I’d put it on your resume under employment and figure out a way to weave it into your “story”. What’s your intended major? Is it related to the work you’ve been doing for people? If so, figure out a way to highlight that.</p>
<p>@Bromfield2 I’m not sure about not saying it’s a company. I do view it as a company, and unless there is a reason to list it as otherwise, why should I say its not? Why do you think I shouldn’t say it is a company?? I’m very curious! </p>
<p>When it comes to stuff like this, it’s all about the details. Is it a registered business? Are you filing taxes for it? What are the specific numbers of clients, total revenue, etc.? </p>
<p>To actually be significantly impressive, these are the things that can make one who started an actual legitimate company stand out. I would guess that unless you’re delegating tasks and managing finances, it’s not really a company and, like Bromfield2 said, you’re more of an independent contractor who’s made a few hundred. I’d really just describe the same things but spin it in a slightly different way than as a “small business”.</p>
<p>@capitalamerica I’ve not made enough money to require registering my company or filing taxes. I’m planning on putting it in the activities section of the common app. How would you word it? I’m not going to make a huge deal about it, so I don’t think the details are too important. I feel that it is more important that I stuck with it, put in lots of time, was a leader of my own business, and learned alot about business, rather than made alot of money or anything else you described. What do you think? </p>
<p>Thanks for your help! </p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>Any other opinions?</p>
<p>JRBG–Simply say you started an independent contracting business that provides X, Y, and Z services to clients.</p>
<p>The success of a for-profit company is measured in $$. As CA pointed out–without specific numbers of clients, revenue, etc. just saying you started a company isn’t going to tell the Adcoms very much.</p>
<p>Bumo</p>