<p>I've been interested in some of the leadership programs in my area, especially the ones at Stanford because I only live 30 minutes away. The problem is, they're all in the summer and cost quite a bit of money. I already have an offer for a summer job in Idaho; would a leadership conference (or something similiar) look better than a job to colleges? I could use the money for savings more than I could afford to lose it on an expensive program. I need to know soon so I can make a decision before space runs out in these programs. I'm definitely leaning toward the job, though.</p>
<p>Not necessarily. For the leadership conferences (NSLC and other non-competitive) that costs upwards of 1000, I wouldn't do it to impress colleges. What's more important is the skills you gain or your experience there. </p>
<p>Go ahead and take the job offer. Having a job in the summer shows maturity and responsibility and that you didn't waste away for a few months doing nothing.</p>
<p>Go for the job in Idaho and write about that experience, if appropriate, in a personal essay. That will probably inpress adcoms more.</p>
<p>Go for the job in Idaho and write about that experience, if appropriate, in a personal essay. That will probably impress adcoms more.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, guys. The job (earning money as opposed to spending it) is definitely more feasible. I hope the fact that my uncle owns the company where I'm offered a job isn't a problem? I would love to work at his company, and there aren't going to be any jobs around here. All the other kids want to work too, or already do, and the best local openings are wrapped up with waiting lists or close family ties.</p>
<p>bump......</p>
<p>It's not a problem Jackson. I work for my father's business and really, work is work. You're doing something.</p>
<p>Thanks spirited.....I've always agreed that work is work, but my father is under the impression that it will look like I got hired based on family ties instead of merit. It's more of his personal grudge with his sister's family than anything else.</p>
<p>go with the job.</p>
<p>Working at the family business will not be frowned upon by adcoms. It's all about how you write about the experience in a personal essay.[ul][<em>]what did you learn from working in a family business?
[</em>]what did you learn about yourself while in Idaho, away from home?
[<em>]did spending the summer away from home prepare you for going away to school?
[</em>]what did you read while away from home?
[<em>]what did you observe about life while in Idaho?
[</em>]what interesting people did you meet and what types of conversation did you engage in?[/ul]Come up with your own questions.
You may want to keep a journal or something.</p>