<p>Hi, I'm a rising senior, and this summer I'm working at a YMCA summer camp as a junior counselor. I love working there with the kids, I find it both fun and fulfilling, but I'm worried that it's not "rigorous" or "smart" enough for colleges (I mean, compared to doing research or going to college camp or something like that). I'm also worried because this job may appear random compared to my interests, which focus on the medical field/biology and music, not really child care.
So really, do colleges care what you do with your summer, or do they just care that you did something as long as you didn't just watch TV the whole time?
Any insight would be highly appreciated, thank you!</p>
<p>No, it’s okay. Do what you enjoy. :)</p>
<p>Well I know the Princeton supplement asks what you’ve done the past two summers.</p>
<p>Most schools don’t care. For the highly selective schools, it might matter a bit- but it’s just one more of many factors so don’t stress over it. Enjoy your summer!</p>
<p>I read a post from an alumni that did interviews (for a highly selective school). He said he would much rather hear about a “real summer” - working at a camp, lifeguarding, waiting tables over an expensive “college” experience that your parents paid $4000 for you to attend!</p>
<p>Medical schools are increasingly concerned with “bedside manner,” which certainly relates to child care skills. Holding a job demonstrates responsibility and maturity, both traits that any college would hope to see in an applicant.</p>
<p>There are very few summer programs anyway that would significantly boost your application anyway and are done by an extremely small portion of the total college applicants. And maybe what you do in the summer becomes a topic for your application essay and it turns into an excellent essay. In any case just enjoy it!</p>
<p>As most people already said, it depends on where you are applying to. For highly selective schools, they would probably be more pleased with you volunteering instead of watching tv all summer. It shows commitment and even when others are not doing anything, you can still challenge yourself by doing something during your break.</p>
<p>i think most schools care about what you get out of your summer. someone could go to an expensive summer program and not gain anything out of it, but if you enjoy what you’re doing, do it.</p>
<p>Thank you guys all so much for your insights! And since my dream school is not a ridiculous top-tier school (its Berkeley, btw), I feel much more relaxed about my summer now!</p>