Redstone on college applications

[newomaster]

So soon I will be applying for colleges and I have a question which you guys might be able to weight input on: How do you think highly selective tech schools such as MIT would react to seeing redstone experience and redstone devices on their applications? They are all about accepting people with interesting and diverse interests, but I don't know if they will interpret redstone as "That's great, he spent a lot of time learning computer science." or "That's great, he spent a lot of time playing a video game and learning a pseudo-CS instead of learning real science and technology and creating real things." (which they advocate heavily)  (not to say I didn't do that either, but let's take redstone by itself for a moment). Yes, I'm sorry, I'm getting you into the redstone vs. real life debate again (please, no flame wars ...  ). My main concern is that admitting a video game took such a large portion of my life could actually appear off-putting and lazy to those who haven't become as accustomed to it as we are. The idea that someone can learn real life skills through a video game is still a relatively new idea. 

Personally I think I should include my redstone, since if anyone's going to find it interesting it's the guys over there at MIT, but what do you guys think?

Super serious post :O ... sorry about that xD

  

[greatgamer34]

If its any help, I put that I had computer engineering experience. Which is more than true because im in my second year and still know more about computer engineering than anyone of my class mates.

[Legofreak]

Yeah, you don't necessarily have to say redstone specifically. Saying that you understand combinational/sequential logic and can simulate computer hardware in various software probably sounds a little better.

[Mar_Win]

Maybe it'd be easier for you to refer to Logisim or any other simulation software to prove your knowledge ^^


No Game - no shame?!

[Nuuppanaani]

Maybe it'd be easier for you to refer to Logisim or any other simulation software to prove your knowledge ^^


No Game - no shame?!

This. Just to be safe you could build something with your excisting knowledge in Logisim or similar.

[newomaster]

Thanks for the responses guys, I've never used logism, but I'll definitely give it a shot. 

[jxu]

"Elite" colleges care much more about competitions (USAMO, ISEF, coding) than anything you could ever make in logisim and show off (unless you get some award for it)

[Mar_Win]

In germany universities focused on (Computer-) science are not that full, meaning that there is not so much of a competition to get your application accepted. I am sure that there are many people, who won't submit anything, so that Logisim won't be totally useless. Just do what you can. Whatever you will submit, it will show them you interest in the topic.

[jxu]

Well we're not talking about German ones are we?

[Guy1234567890]

I'd put it in there: if they don't like it then perhaps they aren't the best school for you.

- that said, make sure you explain what redstone is and why it's applicable to real life CS so people who don't know what it is don't dismiss it.

[greatgamer34]

I agree with Guy. At my college, people come in to show case their businesses and recruit loyal intelligent engineers. I talked tothem about the stuff Ive made in MC and you should have just seen his face.

Yes redstone is impressive, yes show it to people, and if they dont like what you have made, maybe change your school choice. But im sure MIT would be heavily impressed.

[jxu]

Good schools get people who have built prosthetic limbs and worked in professional labs to cure disease. But it's worth a shot. I'm just being realistic.
I hold heavy doubts on being heavily impressed. You need something that has an organization backing you up, like Intel. But what do I know.

[Mar_Win]

So you come here and try to tell us that the OREganization is not good enough?

[Legofreak]

Good schools produce people who build prosthetic limbs and work in professional labs to cure disease.

FTFY