<p>For the past year, I've been thinking intensely about starting a business. I'm still deliberating over which market I would be aiming at, but I think it would be aimed mainly at teenagers around my age (15). I realized (only yesterday) that opening a business may be something interesting to write about on a college application. Is this something that would necessarily impress universities, particularly if it were a successful business? And what would they consider as being "successful"?</p>
<p>Obviously I'm not starting a business purely to impress colleges. It's something that I'm genuinely fascinated in. However, I will most probably be applying for Engineering at college, so would it be pointless to include the fact that I run a business, or is it useful in showing that I've got determination and leadership?</p>
<p>A couple other questions:
I will be creating a computer database for a hotel in the UK over the summer. Is this something to include in my application?</p>
<p>For work experience, I will be working at my uncle's factory. He owns a fairly successful business (I understand that my cousin at Harvard U coincidentally had to do a case study on his business!!), but I'm not sure if this will actually "count" as work experience considering that I will be working for a family owned business!</p>
<p>Sorry if these questions sound stupid, but as an international student, I'm still learning about the US admissions process...</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>As a general rule of business, DON'T START A BUSINESS UNLESS YOU HAVE TO, or at least know what the **** it is that you are doing.</p>
<p>Database for a hotel? ***?</p>
<p>Even though you've already addressed this, I'd like to stress that a business shouldn't be started unless you're truly invested in it. It also sounds like you don't have an idea of what you'd venture in. </p>
<p>I don't think it would impress colleges. Anyone who creates a website or tacks a flier to a jobs billboard could claim they have a business. If it were a notably successful business that the average person has at least heard of, like the students who created that moving company (I can't recall the name at the moment); then yes, it should be mentioned. </p>
<p>As for creating a database for a hotel, personally speaking, that wouldn't impress me. Creating a MYSQL database and plugging in some figures doesn't require much effort and I can't imagine the hotel having a large clientele if they're hiring a 15 year old.
It should be mentioned, though. Just don't focus a great deal of time emphasizing it.</p>
<p>Good luck in your venture.</p>
<p>If it's something that you're genuinely fascinated in then that's great. For the college application part, I think that running a business shows success in areas outside of school, and the personal qualities it takes to run a business such as leadership and determination. If it's particularly successful and you find great joy in it, then it might be a great essay topic to write about detailing each hard working step you put into creating a business from start to finish, and/or any problems you had and how you overcame them.</p>
<p>Good luck :)</p>
<p>Sorry for the double post, but Plattsburgh posted while I was writing mine up.</p>
<p>I think that Colleges have seen almost every single extracurricular activity, and that they truly would only be impressed at something like a student creating a health organization that later would be recognized internationally. I think that the point of mentioning things like "creating a website" or "tacking fliers to a jobs billboard" is beneficial in the way that colleges are able to see that at least you do something outside of school, and that you're not all grades. In my school, and I'm sure in almost everybody else's school, there are people that get pretty decent grades, but don't do anything except watch TV at home.</p>
<p>Something that I see as a great potential for students is to create a grassroots service organization that fills a need in their community. One girl collected winter coats and donated them to organizations that helped homeless women. The student has all the challenges of running a business w/o the cost of inventory or need for sales. Huge learning experience with no financial risk.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments. I appreciate everyone's input. Do note that starting a business is not something I'm doing only for the appeal it may have to universities, so it is not something that I'm going to jump into right away until I have a sound knowledge of both the market(s) I'll be entering and a good business plan. The probability of it becoming internationally known is slim (obviously) but that won't really deter me in any way - as I said, I want to start a business because it's something I personally enjoy.</p>
<p>Benellis, I disagree with your comment:
"DON'T START A BUSINESS UNLESS YOU HAVE TO, or at least know what the **** it is that you are doing."</p>
<p>I understand what you're saying, but to me, starting a business is not something that people are forced into doing, or "have to" do. If they've got the correct determination, and they put good work into it, then they can be successful. Also, part of the starting a business thing is about learning. Starting one at this age means that the consequences I face if I'm unsuccessful are much less grave, and, overall, beneficial because I'll be able to improve from it. That's my perception of it...</p>
<p>There's a general assumption that the business will involve creating a website etc. I've actually already created multiple websites (such a science one for students where I created a podcast etc, but that was completely personal interest and more of a summer hobby). I'm still not exactly sure what I want the business to be aimed at. I'm still thinking hard, and often have ideas that come up, but until I'm completely assured that I have a good idea that I will enjoy working on, I will continue to brainstorm...</p>
<p>Once again, thanks for the help, and I'm still open to any further comments :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Sorry for the double post, but Plattsburgh posted while I was writing mine up.</p>
<p>I think that Colleges have seen almost every single extracurricular activity, and that they truly would only be impressed at something like a student creating a health organization that later would be recognized internationally. I think that the point of mentioning things like "creating a website" or "tacking fliers to a jobs billboard" is beneficial in the way that colleges are able to see that at least you do something outside of school, and that you're not all grades. In my school, and I'm sure in almost everybody else's school, there are people that get pretty decent grades, but don't do anything except watch TV at home.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If I walk outside and sell twigs for an hour, should I be able to claim I have a business?
There's a substantial difference between creating a business because you're truly invested in something and creating one for the sole purpose of filling out an application.
You may consider the former to deserve recognition because they did "something outside of school". I don't.</p>
<p>I agree with most people here. You are obviously 78% doing it because of college applications. As far as I've seen these things come naturally. If you try to force it, you will fail most of the times.</p>
<p>PlattsburghLoser, I see what you're saying, and I understand that the business would need to be something I'm "truly invested in", even to gain a little bit of recognition for it.</p>
<p>I do want to emphasize that I most certainly am not doing this for the sole purpose of my college application. I'm 15, and I'm enjoying life. It crossed my mind that this might possibly help a college application, but that was definitely not my primary intention. If I fail, so be it. It's a new experience and a new lesson learned. If it doesn't appeal to a college, so be it. I'll still want to do it, regardless.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all your input.</p>