<p>I stumbled across this website while researching colleges for my son (a Junior in HS) and hoped you could give me some feedback.</p>
<p>My son has a unique EC activity in that he is a "semi-professional" Real-Time Strategy game player. Currently, he is ranked as one of the top Warcraft 3 players in the US. He has represented the US at the World Cyber Games (US Finals), the Blizzard International Finals in Germany and has won a few other tournaments (and in the process, brought home several thousand dollars). </p>
<p>In addition to attending tournaments, he is part of an International gaming team. Also, he gives online lessons for money. He has been interviewed and written up by most of the major online gaming websites.</p>
<p>Although he has gained national/international recognition, do you think colleges will look favorably on this EC since it relates to "gaming"? (he thinks colleges won't value this EC as much as other activites). Also, do you think there are some schools where this would be valued more than at other schools? Currently, he is interested in Wesleyan, Amherst, Tufts and Boston College. He's a straight-A student, lots of AP classes, etc.</p>
<p>These schools might find it interesting and I would include it, however I don't think it is the hook you hope it is. When a very selective school leans to take an applicant because of some type of unique talent or skill that he or she has received international or national recognition for, it is usually something that the college thinks will enhance the school community or bring recognition to the school in the future. There are ways you son can include this information to draw attention to his application, however I would recommend doing so in a way that ties these accomplishments to something that would shed light on who your son is, his character, ect</p>
<p>That e-c will look amazing to colleges. They want something unique and i think your son will offer that. He should be able to gain admission for the colleges he wants to apply to. don't worry too much bout e-cs...they come naturally along with the student's interests.</p>
<p>I think it would be foolish not to display such a unique EC. However, I think he should convey how it has helped him amongst his peers/clients/teammates. The fact that he can sit at a computer and be accomplished w/o any external tangible benefit is ulitmately -- self absorbing and non-beneficial to the immediate community around him. I'd have him think about how his experiences have made him relate w/others around him...</p>
<p>I think it's something worth mentioning, but don't make it the main thing in his application. Don't make it more important than "ways of spending free-time", cause that's what it is. Now if he were helping develop the game, that would be different. Millions of people play that game..the difference between them and him is amount of time invested, and probably some skill (though as a pro league player myself, I can tell you that skill=time invested), and frankly, I think schools would rather him do something more useful with his time - study, get a job, do volunteer work, play a sport, etc. So he is an A straight student? He could be an A+ straight student. There are no limits on academics. Not one single adcom in the world will ever say "oh, he has max GPA, max SAT, max anything, that's enough, he shouldn't do anything else". Keep in mind that adcoms are adults, they grew up in a different time, and I for one have serious doubts that playing games is a hook...or anything positive for that matter, especially for top schools. But something unique? Sure, why not. But leave it at that. By far the best way to use it would be an essay - if he can show it was a positive experience for him, from which he learned something besides uber leet micro skills in warcraft.</p>
<p>THIS is where college major matters. He needs to show though, that his expertise in playing those games has helped him in some other application. As in, he needs to USE his expertise ** WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL ** and apply it to programming or some other activity relevant to a college education. Being the best video game player won't help him. Being the best video game player and creating a new, more receptive user interface, or creating another new fun game, or something to that effect, will be more useful on the college resume, which I guess is what you're asking about.</p>
<p>I don't know....I think it shows dedication, intelligence, creativity, tenacity...He has other ECs, including a varsity sport...I think it will look great for him. It could show him as one of those kids who reach high levels in whatever they do (like his band). the mere fact that there are so many players in the world, and that he's ranked so high among them, is very impressive.</p>
<p>Um, it's actually just about having good micro/apm</p>
<p>It's not that I have something against him, I love this game too, as well as gaming contests, but come on, we're talking about admission to top colleges. </p>
<p>I know if I told any of my teachers/parents I was putting "play warcraft" in my ECs they would smack me in the head</p>
<p>Put it down. Being nationally ranked for Warcraft is amazing to say the least. In South Korea, they have a TV channel and stadiums for Starcraft where thousands of people buy tickets to cheer on two people playing at a computer. While the US isn't that enthusiastic, it's still no easy task to be nationally ranked in any game, let alone one of the most popular PC RTSes that millions pf people play. If someone can go to college for being one of the best football players in the nation, then the best Warcraft players deserve some serious recognition as well, if not more, considering that with Warcraft, you are like the coach of the football team, thinking up and executing a strategy. </p>
<p>Thinking about it, this is an odd skill (and one of the better ones), so I suggest going for Stanford or Brown. They like weird people.</p>
<p>i never got into wc3, it was a hard game to master. But anyways here is some advice. Your son is clearly excelling inthis game, and he gets to travel the world. He gets to see different countries, experience new cultures of the places he's visited and just have been able to meet new people that have helped better shape him as a person. This is the way i would spin it anyways.</p>
<p>I dunno - I think it is completely based on the application. If there is no application, it's synonymous to being the world champion of a staring contest. Sure, both show dedication and work ethic, but I don't know of an application of being able to stare a really long time. </p>
<p>NOR, do I know of an application for video games. If your son can demonstrate a constructive application up to par with his national recognition, then you're set. What that * constructive application * is, however... I have no idea.</p>
<p>Yes, but good football players will bring fame to their school, while warcraft players will not. Hey, it's not my decision, you should try to think from the adcoms' point of view, not your own.
This isn't a "what should colleges think about it" it's a "what could colleges think about it".
How will that help him in college? Useful in college - that's the ONLY thing colleges want. Football will help, not because it's fair, but just because it will. Academics will help, cause, well, it's college. Volunteer work will help, so will leadership skills. But playing a computer game? Staying several straight hours alone in your room playing the game over and over? I just don't think adcoms will be particularly thrilled about that.</p>
<p>Like I said, it's a really good "extra thing" to have, but by no means a hook.</p>
<p>i think you guys have taken the all too parental analytical approach to video games. I think these games take great talent to get good at. I know for certain that not just anyone can be nationally ranked. It takes a lot of talent and great perception of the game. You have to be able to take in everything at once and be able to adjust on the fly. I bet even if you played wc3 for 4+ hours per day for a year you would not be nationally ranked no matter how hard you try. It takes talent, something that is innate. </p>
<p>I was myself ranked 50~ in C&C when i was like 10 years old. and 100~ in RA2. I dunno, how i did that but trust me the top 10 or so players are leagues beyond everyone. It is probably one of the most unique things you could do to become a video game pro. It is definelty not a setback to his college application. And the fact that he is using it as an outlet for work, shows great ability to take advantage of situations.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, one of the optional essays I wrote for MIT last year (the "something you have created" one) was about how I built mods for Morrowind. If he is really passionate about this game, he should go beyond just playing it - do something creative with it - the rewards, this time also intellectual, will be greater. Maybe he should at least try to get a beta-tester job at blizzard. That would say 1000 times more about his passion and effort than playing, plus, even more importantly, will prove that he can do something useful with his interests - and earn money - now that's a hook.</p>
<p>Yes backfire, it does take some innate talent. But we are not talking about whether he is talented or not. Or whether he worked hard to get there, cause I am sure he did.
But how is that kind of talent useful in a college? that is the question</p>
<p>now lets think for a moment and let me offer up another scenario. Let us switch games and head to the world of chess.</p>
<p>Chess is a game no? and it is also a game that takes strategy.</p>
<p>Now, lets say you made the top 10 in the United States. Quite an accomplishment unprecendented and possibly history making. </p>
<p>If I was a top college, i would take that chess playing phenom without a doubt. He showed his strength to the world. ALthough chess itself, might not be a useful skill in college, there is no doubt that it helps to further one academically. Im sure the same could be said of wc3. Games are not to be taken lightly. And it is indeed a great accomplishment. But i agree that it should not be relied on as a hook. Although it quite unique and eye catching trait of the kid that will make him stand out in adcoms minds.</p>