Would colleges be more impressed if I volunteer this year (junior year) and tutor kids, or get a job as a lifeguard? I know volunteering is good but being a lifeguard takes a high level of responsibility. it also pays good for my benefit. what should I do?
Do what interests you, not what you think colleges would like better.
really up to you, both would look good for college imo
Don’t take a volunteer position or a job just for college, because they care about quality and depth of involvement over what exactly you’re involved in. But, doing any of the above is good experience for yourself and for the people you’ll be helping, and you can get a nice income from the job. Personally I’d take the job, but know that it probably won’t make a difference on an application unless you make sparks fly with what you do.
Don’t sign up for activities based on how they look for college- Choose extracurriculars that you want to do, regardless of how they will look in admissions. Either activity would be a great EC, however.
Agree, it won’t matter for purposes of college admissions. If earning some money would help, then by all means go with the lifeguard job.