So apart from my academic and athletic extracurriculars, I have run an Instagram business since the age of 14. This business, to be brief, basically offers promotion to beta app developers and also sponsors applications through links or a post about the application that I have been hired to promote. I make a profit through ‘pay-per-click’ links as well as through fixed rates for promos that are wired through PayPal. While it is a ‘non-academic hobby’, through my time running this business I have garnered over $3,000 and been in control of Instagram profiles with over 1,000,000 followers (not total, on a single account).
I mentioned this in my college apps as an aside in the ‘additional information’ section. My first few responses from colleges were all acceptances, so I didn’t think much of it. However, after being deferred by UVA and rejected by Johns Hopkins, I’m beginning to wonder if I should have mentioned my social media entrepreneurship more.
The reason I ask is because I have 5 colleges yet to hear back from, including Duke and the University of Pennsylvania. I did mention my social media business during my interviews to these colleges. Will these help my overall application? If so, to what degree? Thanks.
(P.S. I am aware of the selectivity of UVA and Johns Hopkins, but am concerned that mentioning this hobby could have helped my chances considerably, as it discernibly differentiates me from other applicants.)