<p>Hey guys,
I haven't posted in a while (trying to take my mind off of UVA and to get a 33 on upcoming ACT so I have a good shot) but I have a question about EC's. I know that volunteer work is very important for colleges and so are other things such as sports. However, what if the majority of my time is taken up by working. I was on the track team but got kicked off because I had to go to work so often that I ended up missing practices and meets. I've worked at the same place (a local hardware store) since 8th grade. I work 15 Hours during the week during school years and 30 Hours during the week during the summer. In total by the time I graduate I should have worked at this store well over 4000 hours. However, my EC section is going to look rather bleak.
Now the focus of my question is, is work a good EC? I've read how many students are in science fairs, team captains, and other sort of things but with my job I don't really have the time to participate in things like those.
Thank you for the help</p>
<p>PS: just because I haven't posted in UVA form in a while doesn't mean I've given up! I will make another topic once I get my ACT score back to let you all know how the journey to UVA is playing out (praying to god for a 33, I would probably cry with tears of joy if I get it)</p>
<p>I can’t imagine the admissions office would hold working against you, especially when they went so far as to eliminate early decision to give a better shot to kids who come from lower income families and regions who would typically have to work instead of doing ECs.</p>
<p>Yea but thats the problem. I don’t have to work but I chose to because I feel it prepares me for real life much more than joining a random club I’m not intersted in</p>
<p>yea that is what my main essay is about. In the beggining of my job I was spoiled. After my first day of work I cried to my parents that I wanted to quit. However, I stuck it out and now I feel like I belong to the job. I’m given responisbilities, invited out to functions with people who work there for full time, and have learned an increadible amount of things that other 14-18 year olds would never know.
Thanks for the quick responses guys</p>
<p>“Is work a good EC?”
No. Work is not an EC, EC’s are not work. They don’t have to be. You have shown a large commitment over a long time to something. That’s nothing to defend or apologize for. It was your choice. You are proud of it and feel good about what you have done there. That is more important than being in 7 clubs that you show up for a meeting once a month, and yet have made no real difference.</p>
<p>“Just because I haven’t posted in UVA form in a while doesn’t mean I’ve given up!”
I don’t think there is any question how enthusiastic you are! I would not worry one bit about post count on cc as a show of your affection. Be a kid this summer! Spend less time on the computer, more time standing barefoot in the grass. :)</p>
<p>"Be a kid this summer! Spend less time on the computer, more time standing barefoot in the grass. "
Or spend my summer sulking over how I didn’t get a 33 on my ACT (the mid ACT score to get into UVA according to Naviance)
Lol just kidding, well maybe not, but anyways thanks for the response blueiguana. Your words really helped me with this issue.</p>
<p>“Or spend my summer sulking over how I didn’t get a 33 on my ACT (the mid ACT score to get into UVA according to Naviance”</p>
<p>It is always good to be aware of where you currently are in respect to students accepted in previous years. Repeat “I got a xx on the ACT which is really great! I worked hard. I know what to expect because I have experience taking the test now. I have some time to study for the test in the fall and I’m going to do that at a steady pace without killing myself later . I feel good about my study plan and know I can bring up my test scores!”</p>
<p>You know that admissions is a holistic process. Numbers is only part of the picture. Your essays, LORs, and ECs/work experience are the other large factors! That’s a great thing. </p>
<p>Be good to yourself and celebrate your achievements!! Remember, toes in the grass. Or read something TOTALLY unrelated to academics or admissions. A great work of fiction, or a guilty summer ‘beach read’. Give yourself some time to just ‘be’.</p>
<p>ohh don’t worry I’ve got 5 books to read this summer for school! yea! lol (well atleast 1, freakenomics, actually looks good and is about what I like so hmm, can’t be that bad now can it>?</p>
<p>I got in as a transfer to Uva and my ecs were pretty much non existent. I was in one club, and was fairly active. I think grades, test scores, and the essays play the most central of roles. I did not have any recommendations either, so you can get in without one. I think my essays did it for me, they weren’t generic and were very personal.</p>
I would not worry one bit about post count on cc as a show of your affection. Be a kid this summer! Spend less time on the computer, more time standing barefoot in the grass. :)</p>