<p>I do lots of volunteering especially in the summer. Yet I cant really find any jobs that are available and worthwhile. I do not want to be a camp counselor for a required eight weeks. Since theres a section on the apllications set aside for JUST JOBS and not volunteering, arw they important? I spend my summers taking enrichment courses, volunteering, interning and researching ... But i just dont eant to be hurt by not having a paid job.. help? :(</p>
<p>They’d help but they aren’t super important. Especially since you’re already doing so much. Seriously it’s summer go out and have some fun. I’m not saying you don’t already but you’re doing more than enough as it is :].</p>
<p>Outside of HYP, a lot of colleges view paid jobs and volunteering as two completely different ECs. It definitely can help to have a paid job listed but it may not be worth it if you can volunteer for more hours. Of course, the money is always nice. I suppose colleges see a student who has a job as more mature, capable of handling finances, etc. Makes them seem better prepared for life in college.</p>
<p>I got my first real paid job this summer (because I’m broke and need money, lol). All throughout high school, all I did was volunteer; I didn’t even bother looking for a job(s) because I love(d) volunteering.</p>
<p>Although having a job shows that you are responsible and mature enough to function in an adult environment, if you love volunteering, then don’t even worry about it. Just show how much volunteering means to you. Colleges won’t look down on you just because you’ve never had a job.</p>
<p>As the director of Columbia’s adcom said, its not what you do, but what you took from the experience that is important.</p>
<p>I would say, not critical. For my daughter, she had essentially not worked (only about 50 hours the summer before senior year) and Harvard took her. In contrast, for my son his employment history was a critical part of his “extracurriculars” and was accepted to both of the Ivys to which he applied.</p>
<p>I have two Ds there - neither had ever had any paid job at the time they applied. But they’d been super-busy with the other things in which they were involved.</p>
<p>I’ve never had a paid job in my life, and I’m going to Harvard next year. They are the same as any other EC: they can play a big role in your application, or they may play none at all. It’s all up to the individual.</p>
<p>I still feel kind of odd leaving that ENTIRE section blank…</p>
<p>Also, is there a section devoted just to Community Service/Volunteering? I don’t remember if there was or not…</p>
<p>Most applicants haven’t had paid jobs. You don’t need to fill every blank on the app. What you’ve accomplished in your ECs, job, volunteer work, etc. is far more important than is filling very blank.</p>