<p>The common app wants me to elaborate on a work experience or extracurricular activity. I would like to talk about a job I had which I hated. This seems risky to me and I'm unsure if I should do it. Most of the examples I've read involve people talking about activities which they really enjoyed and are passionate about. The reason I want to talk about a job that I hated is because it had a profound effect on me. It made me the person and successful student I am today. Although it was one of the most negative experiences of my life, it changed my life for the better. Is this something I should write about. I don't have very many other extracurriculars (just football and rock climbing).</p>
<p>My take is no. You don’t want to come off as negative, saying you hated the job. You want it to be a positive. Not sure what you hated, but if it was menial labor, will you look pretentious (“i hated doing dishes/ hauling construction equipment/ sweating mowing grass / so I decided to work harder in school”). Nor do you want to look disrespectful (My boss was a fool/ I am going to work hard so I can be my own boss").
The short answer doesn’t allow much time to ‘transform’ so I would be wary, but I’m not sure what your angle is, either.
In addition, rock climbing is interesting and different. It’s also something that requires careful deliberation, strength, and a sense of adventure. Football won’t make you different. The rock climbing could.</p>