<p>Which is more valued by universities in terms of additional work?</p>
<p>clubs & volunteer work</p>
<p>vs.</p>
<p>a job & family contribution</p>
<p>I'm in the situation where the deadlines are so close together I can only pick to do one and whatever is more valued, I'll do and talk about in my admissions essay.</p>
<p>What is more valued are activities you do because they reflect <em>your</em> interests. The essays will work if it is clear that the activities you've chosen, and are writing about, are driven by your own passions. Not what you think might look good to, or be "valued by," a college. Do what appeals to you. Or, if holding a job and contributing to the family finances is something your family needs... do that. Colleges will have great respect for that.</p>
<p>@ andale - would an internship help in the app? i have an internship from samsung/rolls royce for summer 08 for an engineering job. would it really make an app stand out?</p>
<p>I think it would be a plus to show that you have this. I don't know that it would make it "stand out", but it would be a plus imo.</p>
<p>thanks andale, that's exactly what I meant.</p>