<p>I've had a job for the past 6 years but I was wondering for the common app should I call it a job or consider it volunteer work?
Which will look better?
My SAT scores are realy through the floor so I need all the help I can get.</p>
<p>Do you have any other source of volunteer work? if you do then count it as a job.</p>
<p>nikon: if I may... whatever you believe might LOOK better, what IS better is the truth. You worked for six years and got paid -- you didn't volunteer your services. Why do you want to substantially alter your picture to people? Don't start fudging the truth now -- it doesn't stop easily.</p>
<p>BTW, the colleges weigh both the same. </p>
<p>I suspect this may make it easier for you to tell the truth. My question for you: do you find that troubling?</p>
<p>And for NOOB: the truth of the work status isn't conditional on if there was other volunteer work, now does it?</p>
<p>If you were paid, it is NOT volunteer work and listing it as such would be a lie. The one that will "look better" is the one that is the truth.</p>
<p>Agreed, tell the truth.</p>
<p>But does it matter to the colleges if I worked or voluteered?</p>
<p>That question has nothing to do with it. You put down what you actually did.</p>
<p>Put down the truth...if you get rejected from your number one school and lied on your application pretending to be this other person you aren't, wouldn't you wonder what the decision could have been if you told the truth?</p>
<p>Well, let me get the obligatory "tell the truth" out there right now.</p>
<p>Now I'll be the only one to say... if you are working to support your family/pay hospital bills for sick relative/pay for college because family can't afford it (first two are better) then work is better.</p>
<p>If you are volunteering to aid to a really good cause (i.e. disease research, victims of natural disasters, charity, etc.) volunteering is better. Especially if you raised a lot of money.</p>
<p>When to say the other:
If you are working to be able to go out to restaurants, buy clothes, buy an ipod/cds, buy drugs, afford a car, then volunteering is better. (Though, if you are working for food for your family, that is good. or clothes because your parents can't afford it. or drugs for a sick relative. see above)</p>
<p>If you are volunteering because your school makes you and it is relatively insignificant or pointless volunteer work (raking leaves for an old lady for example) then working is better as long as it doesn't fall into one of the directly above reasons for working.</p>
<p>You're welcome.</p>
<p>Again, this is the 2nd post you've made that tries to depict someone whom you really aren't. If you're getting paid, it's called a job. If you aren't getting paid, then it's called volunteering. And the DEFINITION of "volunteering" is:</p>
<ol>
<li> a person who performs a service willingly and without pay. (dictionary.com)</li>
</ol>
<p>Don't alter the truth. Please.</p>
<p>Oh, and to go further, most people only say it's volunteer work if you are working for a non-profit. If you do volunteer work for mcdonalds, it's not exactly volunteer work. You have to not be getting paid as well.</p>