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Mr. Berry, Dadster, AFL, Ms. Rubenstone, Roger (or any other wise expert!)--

This is kind of a weird question, but I was just thinking... About how many students do you think apply to Ivy League (or Ivy caliber) schools with EC's that are not run-of-the-mill? For example, are there so many students out there with their own businesses, published research, etc. etc. that there is very little room for the rest of the class presidents/debate letters/band chairs, etc.? (I don't mean in any way to put down these "normal" EC's, so please don't get me wrong! I'm just curious about the other innovative fields out there.)

I'm not really looking for a number, per se, but are there a handful? A majority? I've been curious about this for awhile, so I'd appreciate any ideas. Thanks in advance!

By Dadster on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 07:54 pm: Edit

Tough to say, MG, since not all of those with truly unusual ECs are admitted. Plus, unusual ECs are really a continuum rather than a yes/no condition - for example:
-working at McDonalds
-working in an ad agency in a menial part-time position
-working in an ad agency as a proofreader/copy checker
-working in an ad agency as a part-time web programmer
-working in an ad agency as their primary web designer
-being part owner of a small web advertising firm
-starting your own successful web design business that now employs 5 people

Each of these moves a little farther along the "unusual" scale, and would be a little more distinctive. While clearly really unusual ECs attract adcoms, academic qualifications and other aspects of the application are mportant, too. The applicant who demonstrates truly unique entrepreneurial skill might be able to get in with stats that aren't as impressive as other students. OTOH, a very strong academic candidate could probably get a boost from an EC that wasn't quite as distinctive but at least suggested that he/she did more than crack books.