So, I’m going to be a senior next year and I’m really concerned about how to make myself look good. I’m not as involved with the school as I wish I was, but I’m going to try to change that next year. I’m worried it’s a bit too late though!
I know they care about the basics like community service, your scores on standardized tests, GPA, etc… do they even care about work experience? Since I recently got a part time job and that’s taking up a giant chunk of my time. Doesn’t leave much for anything else but school! Will colleges care about that? Most of my friends have told me they don’t, so, that sucks. That’s pretty much one of the only things I’ve got going for me. I am just so scared when it’s regarding my future, as these past 3 years in high school have just flown by and I’ve done nothing to make myself seem like an outstanding student.
edit: I’ve got good grades as well, pretty sure I’m in the top 5 percentile of my class. (or at least last time I checked) A 3.96 GPA at the moment. (It used to be 4.1, thanks AP Psych and Chem)…
Just be who you are and then find the school that fits who you are.
Highlighting your job could be an asset. I think it certainly is as good as an ec because it shows you are using your time productively. And colleges know some kids need to work for the money. If there is a way to convey what you have learned from your job that could add value to your app.
Work experience absolutely counts in terms of college admissions. It demonstrates your maturity and responsibility. Your friends are misinformed. I recommend you make a common app account and look at the activities section, there is a drop down menu that lists all the different activities that you might want to include in your application (and even that is not all-inclusive). You can list volunteer, jobs, internships, sports, clubs, competitions, projects, etc. (also fair warning: the common app resets every year in August, so your account will be deleted – i.e. don’t begin filling out your application).
How much your activities matter also depends on the schools you are applying to. Your high GPA will make you a very likely candidate for instate public schools (public schools tend to place more importance on GPA/Test Scores). Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet? Try to take one of them before your senior year begins so that you have an idea of your score and can study over the summer and retake fall of senior year if necessary.
If you’re looking at super selective private schools, they do place more emphasis on extracurriculars, but your GPA/scores/essays/letters of rec also matter a lot. My advice is to join more activities senior year only if they are things you truly enjoy doing. Don’t do anything for the sake of padding your resume. If you enjoy it, your passion will shine through in your essays, but if you don’t enjoy it, admissions officers can tell.
Good luck!
The whole community service thing is overestimated by HS students. No college requires a single hour of it: it’s a myth. It’s nice to have and certainly many receive its benefits – but the idea that one MUST have it simply isn’t true
Your friends are wrong. Your job is a great EC, and if you are working for particular a reason, such as to help support family or to save money for college, even better. If you do work out of necessity, discuss with your counselor so that this can be noted in your counselor’s rec. If you particpate in something else outside of school work, that’s an EC, even if it isn’t a club. For instance, do you help out with your church or library, or something else? Example, my friend’s son spent an entire summer, M-F as a CIT (counselor in training.) He didn’t get paid, and he had no idea that he could put this on his application. Or maybe you spend a lot of time running a blog or doing photography. All those things are legitimate uses of your time. I probably wouldn’t put TV watching and video game playing on as an EC though. It is I portant to keep up your grades and have good test scores, so keep up the good work.
Thanks for your input! I guess I will be putting my work experience on my resume. Hopefully this summer I get more ECs! And I’ll be taking the SAT and ACT this June, hopefully I do well.