<p>I am a junior and have little to no volunteer work for 9th and 10th grades, but I have worked 7hrs/week at my local library since fall of 10th grade. I did begin volunteering at my school's writing center for around 1hr/week last february, and I attend my private school on full scholarship and take the hardest course load in my grade. Will it look iffy if I start tutoring for another hour and a half per week with another program (in addition to volunteering at the writing center) starting junior year? I love dearly Swarthmore and UChicago, and I'm also interested in Haverford, Oberlin, Carleton, etc.</p>
<p>For the record, I have to ask for financial aid for many school functions as well as any other academic/extracurricular programs I’d want to participate in, and sometimes I have to supplement that finaid with my own money. I don’t just spend it on going to movies or something. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but in my case it’s relevant)</p>
<p>Colleges don’t expect that students will have done CS, sports, work, ECs. Most colleges care overwhelmingly more about grades, scores, coursework and class rank than they care about ECs, etc.</p>
<p>For the colleges that do care a great deal about ECs – and those tend to be the top colleges in the country, places like HPYS – working counts like a strong EC, and counts even more if one worked because one was low income.</p>
<p>Since financial aid will be an important factor for you, carefully read over the financial aid information on colleges’ websites before you spend time and money applying. The majority of colleges don’t have the funds to meet 100% of students’ financial need, particularly for low income students. The ones that can meet such need tend to be places like HPYS, which have very large endowments.</p>
<p>Make sure that you have at least one financial safety that you know you will be admitted to and can afford. Typically such a school is a 2 or 4-year public college within commuting distance.</p>
<p>Thanks Northstarmom! I did list the schools I’m highly interested in (Swarthmore, UChicago, Haverford, Oberlin, Carleton), but I also am applying to schools that offer merit-based aid and/or are safeties (Beloit, University of Pittsburgh/Penn State). I am not in such financial need that I have to work for food or clothing, etc, I just have to pay for such things as summer programs, school trips, books, and pretty much any random thing I need/want.</p>
<p>If anyone has anything to say about the particular schools that I’m interested in, I would greatly appreciate suggestions!</p>
<p>Bump! (Help! haha)</p>
<p>Please help!</p>
<p>I’ve answered it sufficiently. You do not have to do any CS to get into colleges including those you’re applying to. Your work experience – and what you’re doing with your money – would be impressive to adcoms. There’s no more to say.</p>
<p>Oh, I think I misread your previous post. Again thank you!</p>
<p>Undine,
My S is a recent graduate of Swarthmore. I don’t recall that he had many hours of community service when he applied, even though the school is known for it’s strong community service efforts. When he got to Swarthmore, he did become involved in some community service projects. Listening to your circumstances, Swarthmore sounds like an ideal placed for you. It’s Quaker heritage dictates that all on-campus events are free. Movies, concerts, whatever. Like HYPS, it has a large endowment and is generous with financial aid. You would receive a fabulous undergraduate education at Swarthmore, in my opinion at least equal to the undergrad education to be found anywhere else in the country.</p>
<p>Thank you so much momof3sons! I do love Swarthmore, and would love to attend. It sounds wonderful!</p>