<p>So my junior year summer is coming up, and although I thought I had an internship planned for it, it fell through (stupid budget cuts). I know what you do in the summer time is very important, especially since I am aiming for Stanford.</p>
<p>Thus, where I live, there aren't many good volunteering opportunities or internships available. There was one good opportunity for an internship matching program but I missed the deadline because of my SAT prep (which greatly paid off).</p>
<p>Because of my poor financial status, would getting a paying job during the summer help in my admissions, as I could state that I am trying to help support my family? Should I try sending my resume to some organizations in hopes of being contacted for an internship? Or would regular volunteering at the city park (what I did last year) be a good option as well?</p>
<p>Right now my only app problem is EC's. I have the scores and grades. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>“Because of my poor financial status, would getting a paying job during the summer help in my admissions, as I could state that I am trying to help support my family?”</p>
<p>You should work this summer – not to look good on college apps – but because your family needs the money.</p>
<p>Most colleges don’t use ECs, etc. as admission factors. The few colleges that care about such things want students to follow their passions (or needs – if the family is low income). The colleges aren’t impressed by students who do activities only to impress colleges. </p>
<p>Those colleges also are places like Harvard, the most competitive in the country to gain admission to. No matter what you do, odds are you’ll be rejected, so you might as well follow your heart and family’s interests.</p>
<p>Here’s another vote for getting a summer job. As far as helping you gain admittance into college, focus on your GPA, rigor of curriculum, SAT/ACT scores, a solid college essay, and teacher recommendations. These factors are primary in the admission’s decisions.</p>
<p>^^ Now, what you said is true, however it is never a good attitude to start out thinking that one can’t make it to the ivies and the tier one schools, because if everyone thought so, no one would bother trying and they do have reasonable acceptance rates. 1/10 chance you’ll get in, I’d give it a shot, AIM HIGH.</p>
<p>Getting a job might be a good idea, but bear in mind that it also deducts from the finAid package you can get at certain schools. </p>
<p>I would encourage you to seek out some internship oppertunities and see if they work. In the mean time search for a job. If nothing else works out, do some volunteering. Set down your priorities and back ups and do something that shows that you are really enjoying what you are doing.</p>
<p>Good Luck =)</p>