<p>I was wondering how important it is to have a job for your college application? Would having a job give you a significant advantage over other students? Or does it make much of a difference?</p>
<p>I've tried to get a job in many places and I haven't heard anything back. I think it's due to the poor economic conditions unfortunately.</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>The economy is tight. Jobs that used to be filled by high school students or college students on break are now taken by moms going back to work to supplement family income (or anyone looking for work that has been laid off). The point being, adcoms know this. It is important to show commitment and responsibility to something, be it a job, volunteer work, a club, what have you. It really doesn’t help to attend the Environmental Club meetings once a month. Get really involved. Start a recycling initiative (if your school doesn’t already do this). Help make changes in your community. This is just one idea, but you get the point. You don’t have to have a job to show commitment and make a difference.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice blueiguana. I was kind of concerned since many other students at my school have a job, but I do have commitment to other extracurriculars.</p>
<p>My son never had time for a job with his sport and his academics. It didn’t negatively affect him in the least.</p>
<p>It is not important. In fact, except for the very top colleges – places like Harvard that can use factors like ECs, jobs, nationality, religion, race to pick and choose from among an overabundance of high stat applicants-- colleges basically care only about your stats and – for public universities-- your state of residence.</p>
<p>It’s not necessary by any means, assuming you’re filling your time with other worthwhile things.</p>
<p>Haha I’m glad you asked! I was wondering the same thing :p</p>
<p>My problem is that I’m not even old enough to work yet! You have to be 16 for a lot of jobs (and I’m only 15 as a rising senior 
) and then most places around here want people 18+ years old. It’s good to know that at least colleges won’t penalize anyone for not having jobs :)</p>
<p>Colleges look for commitment to a few select things. If you have a job for two months, that’s not exactly something that anyone will care about. BUT if you have a job for three years and your boss writes you a great recommendation letter, then it might help a bit. But the thing is, it doesn’t have to be a job. If you show commitment to another organization, club, etc. and it’s somewhere in your application or perhaps in your recommendations, then that will help just as much. The real benefit of having a job will not only be what’s on paper, but what’s in the bank and what’s being saved up for college. So get a job if you like the job, you’re willing to commit and succeed, and if you are interested in earning the money. Don’t get a job just so it will look good on an application.</p>