<p>I've been asked this question and thought I'd see what the learned group here on CC has to say on the subject. This young man has worked several summers for a family friend's lawn service. He has always worked on a cash basis and wonders if there will be ramifications for the lawn guy (and possibly for himself) when he lists this as work history on his apps. He isn't looking to get a written recommendation from this man--just thinks he should list some work history, so it doesn't look like he spent his summers loafing! He is very involved in school activities and has no other work history. He does have volunteer service hours, but not enough to look as if he spent his free time solely on this kind of good work. I suppose this is a somewhat common issue with odd jobs such as baby sitting, lawn care,etc., but I'd never thought about it until I was involved in this recent discussion. Will the college admissions people verify this kind of job history? Should he avoid listing this on college applications? Any thoughts/experiences along these lines??</p>
<p>I can't imagine that schools would verify if a child worked in the summers or not. I think that schools are very interested in what applicants did during the summer and look favorably towords jobs. Lawn work is hard and doing this for several summers shows dedication and hard work.</p>
<p>My S listed his summer job and although it is completely different, not one school even made a comment about it and none verified it.</p>
<p>And they don't ask what you were paid, when or how. Usually you just fill in a rather vague description of what you did and the employer - not a lot of identifying info. EG, my S had a landscaping job for two summers. I believe he filled in the grid to say "Landscape Worker" for the job and "XXX Condominium Association" for the employer - no contact name, no address or even city or state. </p>
<p>I think they are (1) just interested in seeing that you didn't spend the whole time contemplating your own navel or tanning on daddy's yacht and (2) giving those who have done something spectacular a place to show it. I agree that they look favorably toward those who did "typical" summer jobs.</p>
<p>My son did yard work and cleared snow in the neighborhood. The only school which asked about this wanted to know what he did with the money.</p>
<p>"I think they are (1) just interested in seeing that you didn't spend the whole time contemplating your own navel or tanning on daddy's yacht and (2) giving those who have done something spectacular a place to show it. I agree that they look favorably toward those who did "typical" summer jobs"</p>
<p>I agree. Those lawnmowing and similar jobs involving hard work and a high level of motivation and assertiveness probably are more impressive to adcoms than are summer "internships" -- desk jobs -- that are cushy jobs that were arranged with relatives and family friends' firms.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. Anybody ever hear of college admissions verifying summer employment? I would think they'd have more important things to do!!</p>
<p>If you continue to be worried about verification of employment, the solution is to declare your earnings to the IRS and pay any taxes due. If you think that will upset an employer, then that is not the employer for you. What's done is done, but I would avoid that type of employment in the future. It is, after all, under the table and not cricket, which is what seems to be worrying you.</p>