<p>Hey guys, I had a quick question for you all. I recently came up with a good idea for a novel, green automotive technology. I am considering patenting the idea, it is new and likely could be patented, however, patents cost a lot of money and will take a lot of time/effort to get. How much will holding a patent on an engineering product help me for applying to a top business/engineering school. Thanks.</p>
<p>It will help, but there’s no way to know how much it will help or how that help compares to the expense/effort of getting the patent.</p>
<p>Not to mention the time involved. A provisional patent will not help you; anybody can file fore one. By the time the patent is granted, you will already be in college.</p>