<p>I've heard people talk about how they discussed being a guild master in World of Warcraft and being hired because it shows they have leadership skills somewhat. I was wondering if you guys think this would work well in a college essay ?</p>
<p>Sounds ridiculous, how does being a guild master shows leadership skills… I don’t play WoW but I can’t see how being in “charge” of others while sitting anonymously behind a computer screen in a game shows any sort of leadership.</p>
<p>I’m really good at Guitar Hero, guess that’s pretty indicative of my amazing musical talent.</p>
<p>So no, I dont think it would work.</p>
<p>If thats all you have to flaunt, thats kinda pathetic. Leadership for others might be starting a charity or getting management position at a job. Anyone can play video games especially if they like it. Not everyone can excel similarly in a job.</p>
<p>This is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard someone try to use as a leadership position. </p>
<p>Definitely not! If I were an admissions officer reading that kind of essay, I’d automatically reject them.</p>
<p>Don’t do it…</p>
<p>What about having paintball in my App? Maybe it will help show that I will be a unique student at the university?</p>
<p>^If you are very good at it and have won numerous regional and/or state awards in paintball, or big money tournaments, then go ahead and list it. Otherwise, leave it out; it’s not going to help.</p>
<p>I have played WoW and to run a successful guild- that takes a lot of mojo. Also I was a shadow priest that melted faces 
However, I would never mention that to most people. Unless you have perfect scores and are applying to MIT or Caltech (high rates of Aspergers/gamers) don’t mention it on applications.</p>
<p>You could write about video games (or paintball) in an essay as long as you say something profound and personal. Talking about how you’ve become a leader though… I won’t judge whether or not it requires leadership since I haven’t played WoW, but I think you would have difficulty not making that braggy or unique. But I don’t think video games should be precluded as a topic.</p>
<p>Maybe if you run a cod or halo clan or the like and discuss how you manage your clan then it could be interesting because it is a passion of yours. I wouldn’t mention leading in a game like wow though. You could also Maybe write about how you can’t wait to learn about computers at the school and how you will fuel another persons passion. Many options. Write about what interests you in order to write the best essay.</p>
<p>"I’ve heard people talk about how they discussed being a guild master in World of Warcraft and being hired because it shows they have leadership skills somewhat. I was wondering if you guys think this would work well in a college essay ? "</p>
<p>Put one more down as a “no.”</p>
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<p>Ignorance speaking. As someone who’s been in both, running a WoW guild is infinitely harder (assuming it’s a progression guild). You have to manage egos day in and day out for years on end. And the time commitment to do so is a lot more intense.</p>
<p>That said, I wouldn’t suggest making it your topic either - UNLESS you had a particularly interesting story to tell. The common stigma of it just being a game is still there, even though it takes just as much effort if not more than most physical sports.</p>
<p>I would stay away from discussing how good you are at video games in any college essay. Spending too much time playing video games is one the leading causes of students flunking or dropping out of college and thus it is not going to be viewed as something favorable.</p>
<p>Yea, and I’ll write about my experience of leading two huge clans in SWBF2…lol…</p>
<p>@collectivsynergy, I was only saying that about wow because it has a stigma about it. The stereotype is what adcoms will think of you, and you probably are not what that stereotype is but you can’t help what adcoms will think. Sorry if it offended you.</p>
<p>Look, there really are students failing out of their colleges due to obsessive gaming. Some of you may feel it’s a stereotype, but to the adcoms it would be a big warning sign. So don’t mention it.</p>
<p>But especially, don’t even think of trying to frame it in terms of “leadership” - that’s not at all what they’re looking for in that category. To an adult committee, it will sound silly.</p>