<p>What if an applicant had to work and help his family financially through out high school - summers, holidays, and weekends. Will that hurt his application? Not much meaningful volunteer projects or clubs, not much time really to do anything but study and work. What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>I don’t think so. Just make sure you record the extent of your work.</p>
<p>No, colleges generally consider work on par with an EC activity. If he/she works after school most days, then just make the extent of the work hours clear in the application. A student should not be penalized for helping his family out financially. If the applicant doesn’t work every day after school perhaps he/she could be able to pick up some smaller club/volunteer activity to be a bit more well rounded. </p>
<p>Special consideration is usually noted if the work is necessary to help support the family, so that should be made clear in the apps. Volunteer work isn’t necessary per se. It is nice if the student does something sometime to show some interests but if there is no time the grades take precedent.</p>