Hi! I am a junior in high school and I have been on my school’s JV swim team since I was a freshman (two years). I have been thinking of getting a job lately because I need to start saving money for college and I don’t really like asking my parents for money. I’ve confronted my parents about getting a job and they said they would allow it if I do not participate in the upcoming season for swimming.
Because I am having trouble deciding between the two, I was wondering which one sounds better to colleges. I heard doing sports throughout high school looks impressive but I also heard having a part time job is good since it shows independence. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Equally the same unless you are an elite swimmer like you will make State, however you aren’t even on varsity so yeah :|.
Not sure when swim season is in your state – could you get a job after the upcoming season? I don’t think colleges really see much difference unless you are a great swimmer. But make sure you are doing something you enjoy as well as things you need to do (like school and earning money).
Agreed, it would make no difference which you do since you are not going to be a recruited athlete.
Bluntly, your parents are wrong. Being a middling Varsity athlete vs. getting a job? Holding a job shows lots of industry, independence and work ethic.
I had 2 kids that played varsity sports get into NU. Neither had “real” jobs although my D got paid for reffing Grade School Basketball games. I think that their Varsity participation, along with excellent GPAs and heavy AP course load were more important than working PT jobs. That said, unless your sport requires year-round participation - and a lot of them do - then if you can work PT AND maintain GPA with tough courses - then go for it when it’s out of season.
And BTW - Trying to run your life by what you THINK some AdCom wants to see is wrong. You should ONLY do what YOU want to do, and participate in what interests YOU!. There will be a school that is interested in what you have done - and what you want to do. Good luck!
Why not swim and then get a job during the off-season and through the summer? Swim because you enjoy it and like the comradery and the exercise.
One way to look at it is that you will have ample opportunity to work in the future and not as many options to swim.
Can you work your way to Captain of the JV team or make it to Varsity?
Actually, holding a job and doing well there is a much better EC than being on the JV swim team.
If you swim for fun, it’s another thing (try to rise to JV Team captain), but if you’re just on the team because of colleges, then don’t worry and get a job.
I once heard a college rep say that getting a job shows more than most ECs. As an adult, I would agree. I am more impressed by kids who are good workers than those who participate in other activities.
Do you like swimming? You’ve maintained it as an EC for this long. It would suck to drop it unless you genuinely don’t enjoy it anymore. If you’re only doing swimming because you think colleges want to “see” sports, you’re doing it for the wrong reason. If you want to strive for a possible leadership position or you enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork, then stay with it.
No EC is truly greater than the other. Colleges want to see the passion behind it. They want to see how it’s helped you and how you’ve learned from it and how much you enjoy it. If you feel you will enjoy having the part-time job and you believe it will help you learn how to function in the workplace, then I see no qualms with taking it on if you’re serious about it.
Question: Will you be able to juggle swimming and the job? Either by having the job during a different season or doing it simultaneously? I don’t understand swimming or your schedule so I understand if it’s not doable, but it’s still a point to bring up. You’re only a junior now so you have time and options. Have the part time job on the weekends or the summer or a different season then swimming if possible.