<p>So it's universally known that having held down a job is a plus for college admissions. But what if I don't have a real job because I can't? Both of my parents work and have conflicting schedules. This means that I have to babysit my 4 year old sister since my other sibling is an immature loafer. I don't really get paid ($5 a week isn't exactly bolstering my savings account) but I am basically a full blown, full-time nanny. I can't get a real job unless my brother miraculously matures within a year or my mom stops working, which would really be counter-productive. My situation also affects my ECs, since I don't have the time or the resources to do much community service or intern (I have in-school ECs and leadership positions, but even those are limited because I can only stay after school so many times). Will this affect adcoms' opinion of me?</p>
<p>You can easily list this as part of “Family Responsibilities” under Activities in the Common App.</p>
<p>Colleges will look very favorably on the fact that you have taken on that responsibility in your family. Just make sure they know about it.</p>
<p>Never knew that section existed. But I have a dated version of the Common App on file, so that may be the reason. This just took a whole load of stress of my chest. I’m just worried that colleges will think that I’m a lazy bum who does nothing with my life outside of school.</p>
<p>You are not alone, especially in this economy. Write about it. What would you have done if you had the extra time: an EC, video games, a minimum-wage job, an internship? Would you trade the safety, enrichment and time together with your young sibling for either?</p>
<p>So writing a supplementary essay about it is the way to go? I remember I told someone about my issue before, and they told me that the college would think I’m just trying to make excuses for not doing much, which I sadly believed. I guess if I write about it in a non-whiny and mature manner, it won’t give the adcoms that impression.</p>
<p>You can write about it in the Additional Information section, but it’s also very easy to slip into the “whiny” college applicant pool. Just be careful in how you write it. If you need someone to read it, get strangers to read over the short paragraph; they’ll have a fresh impression and will tell you if it sounds like you’re making up excuses.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice. You’ve all been seriously helpful.</p>