I have a question about filling out the extracurricular section on the Cal Poly application. My son worked in a physical therapy office over the summer (no pay). Would this be considered “volunteer hours” or “work experience” as it is in his field of interest (kinesiology/physical therapy)?
No pay = volunteer
I don’t think it’s as simple as that. CP uses the designations Extra Curricular and Work. It sounds like your son was working, just not getting paid. I wouldn’t consider it the equivalent of Key Club, Soccer or Math Team. It’s work. It’s just unpaid, as are MANY internships. If it were me, I’d count it as major related work. If you want an absolute clarification, I’d call admissions.
Thanks both of you! @eyemgh That was exactly our dilemma. We were thinking it was more work related and especially significant because it is in the field he is interested in pursuing. Will double check with admissions.
Where are you filling out the applications? I can not find it anywhere. Thanks
@Reef2Reefuser Not filling out the application yet–just getting info ready. I remember the EC section from when my daughter applied 2 years ago. It comes out Oct 1st
@smugpug Thank you very much.
In case anyone has a similar question, I spoke with admissions. They said it could be entered under either designation and it wouldn’t make a difference on admission either way.
My suspicion is that it will make a difference because it allows you to get the bonus for it being major related. That’s IF the MCA hasn’t changed. If you were given permission to list it as work, that’s certainly where I’d put it.
@eyemg it was a little different than I remember–There was not a question about work being related to your area of study in this year’s application.
@smugpug That is not correct. This is the question, quoted from the app: “Was more than 25% of your work related to your Cal Poly major of choice?”
Is that from this year’s app? I’m looking at a copy of my son’s application and it says:
“Ave number of hours worked per week over the most recent 12 months:___”
“Hours per week in clubs/activities: ___
Did you hold any leadership positions?___”
The box to check for major related activities doesn’t show up until you enter the number of hours that you worked. Try putting a value in the box and see if that opens up the second box.
Thank you–I’ll have him look into that!