Would having a private pilot's license help or hurt an application?

[Anonymous]

It is a super expensive endeavor but is unique and time consuming.
Kid has a genuine interest but not pursing this yet. Just curious.

[Anonymous]

At least it would make the application stand out, so overall I think it might be positive. I think people know so little about this, they might not even realize it's expensive. I'm from another country where getting a pilot's license isn't that prohibitive financially - just difficult for a high schooler in terms of required flight hours.

[Anonymous]

It should help, but--like any other EC--it depends upon how it is presented.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine any reason why it would hurt an application. Why in the world do you think it might hurt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any reason why it would hurt an application. Why in the world do you think it might hurt?

September 11, 2001

[Anonymous]

Probably help. I think Taylor Bell of YouTube had hers and she ended up at Penn Wharton. It definitely helps an application stand out and makes a student seem more interesting and independent.

[Anonymous]

This is how it and most other unique activities/interest help - it can be great fodder for a memorable essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any reason why it would hurt an application. Why in the world do you think it might hurt?

September 11, 2001

No. It's because OP is worried it might look like a rich kid's hobby. Read the OP, won't you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any reason why it would hurt an application. Why in the world do you think it might hurt?

The cost (training) for a private pilot's license in the DMV is $15-20K.
Then every time you fly it's $200/hour (unless you own your own plane in which case it's even more).

Anyway, it's definitely a $$$$ hobby but do admissions care or know?

[Anonymous]

Unique and time consuming hobby is not a hook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any reason why it would hurt an application. Why in the world do you think it might hurt?

September 11, 2001

No. It's because OP is worried it might look like a rich kid's hobby. Read the OP, won't you?

Grumpy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any reason why it would hurt an application. Why in the world do you think it might hurt?

September 11, 2001

No. It's because OP is worried it might look like a rich kid's hobby. Read the OP, won't you?

Valid point!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unique and time consuming hobby is not a hook.

+ Expensive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine any reason why it would hurt an application. Why in the world do you think it might hurt?

September 11, 2001

No. It's because OP is worried it might look like a rich kid's hobby. Read the OP, won't you?

But if he doesn't disclose it what will the colleges think he does with his free time - video games?

[Anonymous]

Is your kid thinking of pursuing just to put on an application? I don’t think it’s a big enough hook to move the needle for them unless there were something else to it— helping those in need somehow or something like that.

If they were already doing it because they were genuinely interested then I would have them add it just like I would have them include their other activities. A school is not to think hard about any one particular activity unless they are performing it at an elite level, helping people that don’t normally get helped, etc.