<p>I've applied to HYPS, but I have quite a different situation from most applicants.</p>
<p>After graduating from High School, I didn't pursue my studies and instead started my own businesses and supported myself. It's been 4 years. It's been a long ride and I have now reached a stable financial situation on my own terms, and for personal reasons, I now want to pursue my studies at an ivy.</p>
<p>I'm confident I have a pretty strong application. My question is, does my age affect me in the admission process, positively or negatively, or not at all? I obviously have some kind of advantage since I have had more time to accomplish more and perhaps have a more mature outlook on life (well at least I should :P).</p>
<p>Do you know of other applicants in the past with a similar situation and how it went?</p>
<p>Any information and your opinion is most welcome.</p>
<p>I should think that so long as you were doing something between high school graduation and your application to HYPS, age won't factor into it. </p>
<p>Of course, I'm not an adcom, but that's what I would think. After all, if campuses really wanted all of this "diversity," wouldn't they want slightly older applicants instead of the standard 18/19-year-old? I wonder if you qualify for the nondiscrimination policy against one's age....</p>
<p>it sounds like you did some great things in your four years, and if that's the case, your chances will not be hurt. but if they decide that what you did with your four years doesn't come across as spectacular/productive, it may hurt you somewhat. i wouldn't think too much about it though! it won't make a huge difference.</p>
<p>One of my DH's law school colleagues was a carpenter for several years before going to Columbia UG and then to law school. Certainly didn't hurt him, and he made abolutely stunning furniture. He had the left and right sides of his brain at full throttle!</p>