Should Your Teen Get a Job? College Admissions Counselors Weigh In

My kids have jobs. They’re expected to pay a certain amount toward college. In addition to managing a budget, and all the life skills learned during a first job, I hope the college admissions team will see that the kid is willing to work to make money to pay toward college, that there’s some skin in the game. I think if you’re a high need family, a teen working, in addition to good grades and ECs, is good thing. I know my kids have evolved in their thinking about spending money, and better to do it now and master budgeting before they leave for school. I can’t image why a teenager wouldn’t have a job.

“most likely had served as admissions officers (somewhere) prior to going into consulting…”

Easy to check. Nope, nope and, “Prior to founding IvyWise, [note that was 1998] she was as an intern college counselor at Palisades Charter High School and a reader in the Yale University Office of Admissions. She also taught SAT test prep classes for The Princeton Review.”

Sure, they could have picked up some valuable info, nonetheless. But I hate sloppy reporting.

I remember my aunt who went to UCLA in the 50’s and became a librarian/teacher was a big proponent of not working during high school and focusing on getting good grades for college admissions. Both her sons went to UCB and UCSB respectively. I think her point was that if working took away from studying, then chose studying.

I have no problem with high school kids working part time during summer, it’s a great learning experience and a way to have some work experience to put on the resume when looking for work in college to help pay some bills. For me, it was busboy/dishwasher in the summer and using that experience to get me part time busboy/server work my junior/senior years in college to pay some of my monthly bills. I think i lived off $600/ month cash tips and wages.