No work experience

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I read that leaving the work experience section on the Common App blank can be harmful to your application. But I really don't have any work experience b/c</p>

<ol>
<li>I'm middle class and didn't need the money to pay for basic needs</li>
<li>I didn't have my permit/license</li>
<li>I live in a really big town where it takes 30 minutes to go from my home to anywhere b/c my home is situated in a newly developed neighborhood</li>
<li>There might be other people who need a job more than I do</li>
<li>I used my time to volunteer in places directly related to my career (hospitals, elementary schools b/c I want to become a pediatrician) and have around 300 volunteer hours. I also participated in an art program (free w/ scholarship money) and did swimming/Taekwondo (had to pay)</li>
</ol>

<p>Are these all excuses, and not reasons, in the eyes of colleges? And how negatively will having no work experience affect my application, despite my volunteer hours? (My GPA, rigor of course, standardized testing are ok but my essays and recs are pretty good)</p>

2

<p>If you have good extracurricular activities I don’t see why you would need a job to put on there.</p>

<p>I am like you and I don’t need to pay for my needs (I really don’t shop much), and every person my age complains about how much they dread going to work. I say I’d rather not. But yeah, your EC’s look good. =)</p>

3

<p>Idk I have the same amount of volunteer hours as you do and I’ve had a job since junior year, I don’t think it will hurt your app very much but I think it will a little bit depending on the school</p>