Unique EC

<p>I decided that this would get the most attention in this forum, I hope it's the right one for questions like this:</p>

<p>I have a, in my opinion, fairly unique EC that I would like to put on my college apps. The question is, does this look like a feasible EC to put down, and if so, how should I best present it? Would I have room to explain it like I do below? If not, what do people recommend? (The problem is that is requires a lot of explanation to be most impressive). I'll be most thankful for any feedback or comments. </p>

<p>Here it is: </p>

<p>I am an administrator for a major Real Time Strategy (RTS) Gaming Website (<a href="http://www.gamereplays.org)%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.gamereplays.org)&lt;/a>, that does news, previews and reviews, strategy articles, and a specialty service called "replay reviewing" (hence the name of the website). Players can upload replays, files that can be loaded in game and that replay a past game (sort of like watching past sports games on TV), and get them reviewed by website staff, who will offer critique aimed at improving a player. The service is completely free, as it only requires membership to the website. As you can tell from the fact that revenue from games has already surpassed revenue generated by movies, the games industry is expanding in a huge way, and my website is certainly feeling that impact in the form of increasing traffic, compounding by the fact that our name is getting out their more (the goal being to compete with sites such as IGN.com, gamespot, etc).</p>

<p>How do I come into this? Well, I have helped run the website in numerous staff capacities, most recently as an administrator, for nearly 3 years now. In those capacities, I have learned the ins and outs of website management, website traffic and advertising, and how to recruit and lead a team of staff made up of people from all over the world.</p>

<p>I have also had the fortunate opportunity to come into a high level of contact with a paid employee of EA Games, who's job is to manage the so-called "internet game community." Through this contact, I have helped run a $5000+ game tournament and raise sponsorships for numerous other tournaments that I have personally run (from getting sponsorships, to rules and planning, to advertising, to the actual tournament it-self) each with hundreds of $ of prizes.</p>

<p>I was also invited to attend a global media event prior to the release of the studio's latest title to represent GameReplays.org (the expansion for C&C3, called Kane's Wrath), where EA payed for my flight, food and (luxurious, 5-star, I might add :P) accommodations to come down to LA, CA and play their game long before the public could, as well as offer feedback on it (many of our comments were directly implemented into the game).</p>

<p>Through the website I've also written quite a few feature articles including a game review, and interviewed several of the world's best players.</p>

<p>how do I present this to a college in the best way I can, without making it sound like I spend all day on my computer playing games and internet surfing (which is quite the contrary - I run of of time usually after doing website work and can't play)? I have plenty of other ECs, especially athletic, but I'm still worried as to how I would tell a college about this passion of mine.</p>

<p>
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how do I present this to a college in the best way I can, without making it sound like I spend all day on my computer playing games and internet surfing

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</p>

<p>This might be tough to do, considering that to do your job well, I presume you need to be very familiar with the "internet game community," as well as monitor your own website quite frequently.</p>

<p>exactly my problem. I have a ton of other EC though, so if I don't mention this one, then I have plenty of others. Or, the other ECs can counter balance that impression. They are:</p>

<p>Eagle Scout
President of Venture Crew that goes worldwide in finding adventure, we're going to Honduras in 2 weeks. We've been featured on the major magazine for boy scouts (Boy's Life)
Violin - 12 years, member of Phoenix Youth Symphony
Varsity Swim Team
etc</p>

<p>Well, I can only advise you based on the UC application. There were 2 essays that had prompts. The prompts are pretty loosely applied to the essays - I'm sure you can find the essay prompts well before you are required to submit the app.</p>

<p>You are also going to find EC slots but those are quite short.</p>

<p>If you can, I'd present your adminship as a leadership opportunity, not mention the "replay reviewing" but focus on how it helps others through finding something you like and helping others with it. I wouldn't focus so much on being flown all admissions paid. You need to make it seem like you earned a spot in with the developers.</p>

<p>IMO, this is the meat of it:</p>

<p>
[quote]
I am an administrator for a major Real Time Strategy (RTS) Gaming Website (<a href="http://www.gamereplays.org)%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.gamereplays.org)&lt;/a>, that does news, previews and reviews, strategy articles, and a specialty service called "replay reviewing"...

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</p>

<p>
[quote]
I have helped run the website...for nearly 3 years now. I have learned the ins and outs of website management, website traffic and advertising, and how to recruit and lead a team of staff made up of people from all over the world.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
I have helped run a $5000+ game tournament and raise sponsorships for numerous other tournaments that I have personally run (from getting sponsorships, to rules and planning, to advertising, to the actual tournament it-self) each with hundreds of $ of prizes.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
I was also invited to attend a global media event prior to the release of the studio's latest title to represent GameReplays.org...where EA payed for my flight, food and (luxurious, 5-star, I might add :P) accommodations to come down to LA, CA and play their game long before the public could, as well as offer feedback on it (many of our comments were directly implemented into the game).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
Through the website I've also written quite a few feature articles including a game review, and interviewed several of the world's best players.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It's very clear from your lengthy description that you don't just sit around playing games, but you should be able to do some distilling. In particular, I'd try to take out as many gaming references as possible so that whoever is reading can focus on the business/leadership aspect, which is key. This might come up in a short answer, it should definitely be addressed in an interview, a very brief explanation might even be okay in an "extra info" section if you can't put it anywhere else. If you list it among other EC's, you might attach a separate (thorough, but briefer than this post) description and refer the reader to it. I imagine that would be fair for an atypical EC.</p>

<p>I do hope you find a way to work this in comfortably. You've done a lot worth noting, but you will have to work to prevent people from shutting down as soon as they hear "gaming". If you have friends/teachers/parents who aren't interested in gaming, or who even roll their eyes at it, have them read whatever you do end up putting, and get their opinions. I'd normally be very skeptical of this sort of "EC", but it's clear that you've done a lot of cool stuff with it. There must be a good way to communicate that.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I actually talked about my biggest/hardest to explain EC in my essay. But make sure you tie it in so that it's not just a list of accomplishments.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for the input. Anyone else?</p>

<p>Sounds like what you've been doing and what you've learned from that administration experience could be a good topic for an essay.</p>