<p>I was wondering if paid work experience is important to have on your college application. I don't have any work experience that pays but I've held three long term (half a year minimum) voluntary work placements at charity shops, elementary schools and nursing homes. </p>
<p>Given that I have a strong commitment to volunteering work, should I still look to do some paid work experience this summer?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Paid work or voluntarism is not a necessity for most colleges. For the handful of colleges that factor in extracurriculars (i.e. very selective ones), you’ll be judged holistically. If you’re not targeting those types of schools, then work/voluntarism is not needed whatsoever. Even if you are, work or voluntarism specifically, isn’t a necessity – only involved ECs.</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply.</p>
<p>I’m planning to apply to colleges which do take EC’s into account but it’s good to hear that there is no specific requirement for either volunteering or paid work experience, as long as you involve yourself in whatever you do.</p>