Is this unique enough?

[travfar]

<p>I've been reading the forums over the past couple of weeks and a common theme I see every time is the ability to distinguish oneself from other candidates. I've been thinking about all the things I do and I've been wondering how to make myself unique.</p>

<p>My dream school is MIT and my other top schools are Stanford, Harvey-Mudd, Caltech, etc.</p>

<p>I guess the most unique thing about me is that I started and am now running an open-source software project that deals with distributed computing. I also am in the process of getting together a online green energy retail store.</p>

<p>My intended major would most probably be computer science, although that is subject to change.</p>

<p>What's been bugging me over the past few days is whether this is unique enough. I don't know enough people who are applying to these schools to make this kind of judgment. I was kind of hoping that maybe you guys will.</p>

<p>My early action application is due in less than two weeks. So I would appreciate a quick response.</p>

[nmcm007]

<p>Having a debate over similar questions myself, I found that (after talking with my English teacher) what makes the applicant unique is not just what he or she does that is different but why? Why did you chose to engage in computer-software programs? What influenced you? Reflect from your past what made you do that and then bring into the present. Talk about a specific series of events in which computer programing has changed who you are and how it has helped you now.</p>