Coupled with a 34 ACT score and 4.2 GPA, will investing in the market, which in turn comes with being in touch with world events, be the “spike” that stands out on my application?
Sounds like a claim that any applicant could make to try and stand out. It would also kill any chance you may have for need based financial aid.
No, it will not be the spike that gets you in. It’s a good EC, and might make for an interesting jumping-off point for an essay. It’s not an elite national academic award, it’s not top national ranking in a sport, you don’t run a successful company, etc. Definitely it’s an interesting EC and you should highlight it in your application if you’re passionate about investing.
No, I’m afraid not. I say this as someone who works in institutional asset management and teaches at Wharton too. They’re not going to look at your brokerage statement to verify you’re a successful investor. Plus, it’s very common for kids who apply to top schools to be, or claim to be, precociously skilled investors. An internship at a major hedge fund while still in high school might have a bit more impact. I’m having lunch with a high school internship seeker in a few days and we’ll probably take him on for a fall internship. We won’t let him do any investing though, LOL. He too claims to have traded profitably, and he runs a finance club at his school.
It won’t get you into a school you are not otherwise qualified to attend but if it is something you are interested in it is a nice EC.
No. My portfolio is KILLInG the indices. Blind luck and too lazy to sell dogs that finally bounced back. No school will care bc they don’t know which it is skill or luck (if there is a difference). Maybe write an essay (if you love business) on it if it explains your process and how you think. then let someone read it to see if it is really what you want them to know about you.
No but it will help you pay for it hopefully.
I’m thinking only if its enough $$ in the portfolio to help donate a building or two. Did you donate the money you made to a good cause? Did you earn (as in do work for ) the money that you invested? They might like that! Otherwise you run the risk of looking like another overprivileged, and entitled east coast kid.
A test of a good investor is how one does over time in a variety of market conditions, IMO. Therefore, a teenager won’t have enough experience to use to gauge investing acumen.