<p>Which one looks better on your application when you're applying to Ivy leagues?</p>
<p>And If I already have volunteer work would it be better to get payed work or no?</p>
<p>Either is fine. Also, many people have no option but to get a job to help with expenses.</p>
<p>But this belies a problem for you. Top schools are looking for applicants who possess the maturity, insight and drive to pursue ECs (jobs, voluntarism, sports, etc.) because they feed an internal need for curiosity or pursuit of excellence (or pay some bills).</p>
<p>The thousands upon thousands of bland applicants with their EC-strewn resumes are easily forgotten and dismissed.</p>
<p>The goal for you is NOT to pursue a job or a volunteer position because of “what looks good” but because if you happen to be an interesting person, you’ll pursue interesting things.</p>
<p>If you choose to pursue an employment position, be sure to spell it “paid” on your Ivy League application…</p>
<p>I think an entrepreneurial job (like on commission or your own business), is even more impressive than a salaried position. </p>
<p>Colleges love entrepreneurial students because they tend to become wealthy alums.</p>
<p>Personally, I think a paid job would be a better option, because it shows you are important enough to be paid. Also, it show maturity, because you need to follow a set schedule & be committed. However, a volunteer has a more flexible schedule, and many more people volunteer than take a job. Also, anyone can volunteer, but not everyone can hold down a job.</p>
<p>Agreed I think paid jobs look better because its much harder to get someone to pay you to do something as opposed to working for free.</p>
<p>There’s a lot of misinformation here. Admissions don’t have ‘preferred’ EC’s. Jobs don’t look better, in themselves. Your EC’s will be looked at to see what kind of activities you involve yourself with, where your priorities lie, what your talents are. If you don’t need a job, having one at the local fast food restaurant or mowing lawns may not be as interesting or committed than making an impact in your school and community or expanding your academics is an area you are passionate about. That’s something that admission are certainly looking for. When students do need to work for expenses and to help the household, that is always understood by admissions as being something you have to do and you are recognized for it. Don’t take a job when you don’t have to if it means you can’t put your studies first. I’m not even sure it looks particularly good if other EC’s and contribution to school community suffers.</p>
<p>Students can show initiative and talent by creating their own business, this is not that common and not easy to do. I know a girl who was knowledgeable in the field of cultivating orchids, was involved in area orchid societies and had sales significant enough to allow her to help pay a chunk of her tuition so she could attend a great private school.</p>
<p>Volunteer work is not paid, by definition.</p>
<p>Oh, and it’s ‘paid’, not ‘payed’ mr. ivy wannabe, lol</p>