<p>hey i was just wondering if it's better for me to look for a job or to focus on volunteering this year. i'm a junior right now and i think i'll be able to handle whichever one i choose, but probably not both. by volunteering, i mean at an out-of-school place (such as senior citizen home). honestly i really want a job instead, i don't want to ask my parents for money and i feel that it'll teach me more than just volunteering.
the problem is, i don't have any really good volunteering experiences. basically just at a school on the weekends and several hours for some school organizations. so, should i spend some time really getting some 'good' hours? any help will be appreciated!</p>
<p>Having 'x' number of community servive hours is not a prerequisite to ANY college, as far as I know.</p>
<p>Getting a job or doing community service is equal in the eyes of an adcom. Just make sure you seem dedicated.</p>
<p>You should put your heart and soul into doing the activity that most interests you. That's what impresses college.</p>
<p>get an impressive job, like at the library or accompanying your school choir.
otherwise, it's easier to volunteer</p>
<p>it depends on the college you want to go to...some colleges weigh volunteering heavily whereas they just consider work experience...</p>
<p>If you get a job that obviously isn't "cushy" then a job could be better than just volunteering somewhere.
Getting a job is usually harder than signing up to volunteer</p>
<p>It depends. Flipping burgers as the stove-slave of Burger King will not look more impressive to any adcom than volunteering in anything. </p>
<p>Of course, its all subjective. The question can only be answered in each specific case, because there is no general answer.</p>
<p>"It depends. Flipping burgers as the stove-slave of Burger King will not look more impressive "</p>
<p>Not true at all. Virtually any job requires responsibility, and a job like flipping burger requires a great deal of hard work that's not that interesting. Doing such a job demonstrates a strong work ethic. Admissions officers also know it's far easier to fake volunteer work than to fake working a job in that an agency may allow you to "volunteer" by sitting around doing nothing, but that's not what an employer like McDonalds will allow you to do.</p>
<p>In addition, one can learn a great deal on a job, any job. You learn about people, business skills, organizational skills, etc.</p>
<p>"It depends. Flipping burgers as the stove-slave of Burger King will not look more impressive "</p>
<p>I know a girl who worked at McDonalds and she talked to the manager to change the interior design of that branch to attract more customers and it worked, doubling that branch's profit. the vice-president of McDonald Co wrote a college recommendation for her. She didn't have good grades, but got into MIT for that.</p>
<p>It depends on how you do it, not what you do.</p>
<p>I think volunteer is better, because it shows that you are able to give up your time working without any monetary compensation</p>
<p>"it depends on the college you want to go to...some colleges weigh volunteering heavily whereas they just consider work experience..." Where have you EVER heard this? </p>
<p>"I think volunteer is better, because it shows that you are able to give up your time working without any monetary compensation" HUNH? I guess we know that you've never needed to hold a minimum wage job.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, many many minors NEED to hold jobs to help their families make ends meet. And the top schools know that there are many, many diamonds in the rough. The person who is "flipping burgers" and cranks on academics is practically indistiguishable from someone who volunteers at the community center/library for the summer.</p>
<p>Puh-leez -- guys look at the world around you. If not now, at least when you matriculate at those nice schools you're striving towards.</p>
<p>It depends - sometimes, volunteering can be better, while at other times, work can be better. They're actually quite similar, so you need to find the one that is the most productive.</p>
<p>If colleges were out of the question, which one would you choose and why? Which one do you think represents you better?</p>
<p>You shouldn't be doing hours just to impress colleges. After the college process, you'll regret those hours. Make it something you'll enjoy, not something you'll regret.</p>
<p>In your case, I'd take the job. It seems quite clear that you want to take the responsibility to make your own money as well as learn new things. Meanwhile, volunteering might come off as trying to look good to the colleges without doing anything meaningful. They're different types of responsibilities, and based on your attitude, the job would truly be the better option.</p>
<p>Jobs are great, money is good. But I would definitely go with community service. I tried really hard to find satisfying community work in my area, and unfortunately there aren't that many. But if you're able to find community service that's actually in harmony with what your interests are, then by all means, do so. Or a job that has something to do with your interests. The key is to stick with what you know you like or would like to explore. For instance, I've had a good few friends who really thought they wanted to be veterinarians, but after they worked in a vet's office, they realized it wasn't what they wanted. So sometimes even doing what you love and realizing it's not for you is great. Or if you have even a slight interest in something, give it a shot. For instance, you may not want to be a doctor, but volunteering at a hospital might open some doors for you. And it's a lot easier to get community work than a job, that way you can explore your interests without being completely tied down.</p>
<p>i did an internship at a bank in the summers.. how will that look to business colleges?</p>
<p>UCs seem to favor Community Service.</p>
<p>pehahpz: I certainly can agree with you that finding a great service project can be immensely rewarding. Those who can pick and choose, consider yourself fortunate. But the OP asked which was more impressive to colleges: again and again, I've rear/heard that Adcoms view both equally since they know there are many great kids who HAVE NO CHOICE but to work a menial job due to financial needs (versus a sport, extracurricular or community service project).</p>