What are colleges looking for in "work experience"

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>Do they look at the number of hours you work? The type of job? The number of jobs? Or what?</p>

<p>I have no previous "work experience" but I have ECS (library volunteer, church volunteer, tennis varsity). </p>

<p>Also do you think it is a good idea to work 12 hours a week in a tennis camp as an assistant during the summer or will it not make a difference to the colleges. Or should I just study for the SAT (I need every minute to improve reading 100 points, writing 50 points and math I'm fine with).</p>

<p>I would like to go to the University of Washington they list:</p>

<p>Standardized Tests: Important
Work Experience: Important</p>

2

<p>Colleges want to see a history of interest or passion for your declared major. For example, engineering students did an internship at NASA or volunteered at a tech museum.</p>

3

<p>Work experience shows responsibility, especially if you are on the lower end of the income spectrum. I have been told that colleges particularly admire inglorious jobs (cashier, fast food, etc.) in certain situations but you’ll be fine without it.</p>