| Are you interested in the internet? Technology? | | | | Explain your story. Again, offer to work in an unpaid |
| Business? Are you simply looking to standout in | | | | position or any position they have available |
| college admissions? Challenge yourself to a new | | | | Startups are always looking for more help, especially |
| opportunity? | | | | if it's free. Showing initiative like that in high school will |
| Here's an out of the box idea that will help your | | | | impress any company. Even if they say no, you have |
| quest to get into Stanford: offer to be an intern at a | | | | nothing to lose. |
| startup! | | | | An internship will strengthen your college application - |
| It's easier than you think - it requires leg-work and | | | | it will bolster your work experience and leadership |
| initiative on your part, but it looks great on college | | | | initiative-taking. It will also be one helluva story to tell |
| applications and can help you move your careers and | | | | in college essays or alumni interviews. |
| professional interests to the next level. | | | | Finally - and here's the best part - it could lead to a |
| Here are two examples of how it can be done: | | | | unique and outstanding recommendation. Everyone |
| 1) Search for local startups through Google. Email | | | | else just has recs from teachers - what if you got |
| them with a brief description of your background, | | | | one from your CEO? Win-win-win. Harvard here we |
| and tell them you're interested in an unpaid part-time | | | | come. |
| or summer internship. | | | | This is just one example of great out-of-the-box |
| The key here is local - these will give you the best | | | | thinking. What unique ideas do you have? Share them |
| shot since it's convenient for you and them, and | | | | with me by emailing john AT and I'll give you |
| there's greater overlap in interests, backgrounds, etc. | | | | feedback! |
| 2) Browse through the online services that you use | | | | Unique risk-taking is a surefire way to help your |
| the most and love - such as Facebook, Myspace, | | | | chances of getting into Ivy League schools. Start |
| Imeem, and so on. Look through their websites and | | | | today. |
| get in touch with human resources staff or recruiters. | | | | |