<p>What's the deal with work experience and college applications? I was told that as long as you were active in other EC's, work experience (or, in my case, lack thereof) would not be an issue.</p>
<p>However, I am a little worried seeing as I will be turning 18 next month and have yet to have held a paying job. Previous summers I didn't really care, this year I sent out a couple of feeders but to no avail.</p>
<p>I am very fortunate that my family does pretty well. So, while I don't ask for much, my parents cover most of my expenses and I never needed a job. </p>
<p>My dad was a little upset that I didn't get a job this summer, but when I tried to get one during the school year, he seemed opposed. He said I would have my entire life to wash dishes or clean tables, but that I'd never be able to run track and CC for a HS again. Your thoughts?</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm concerned that when schools look at my application and see blank spaces under work experience, it'll be a red flag.</p>
<p>(The sort of schools I'm applying to are UW-Madison, UIUC, URochester etc.)</p>
<p>How important is work experience when it comes to college applications?</p>
<p>Work experience counts because for many high school kids from working-class families, ECs are a luxury they can’t afford. They work because they have to, and colleges respect and see value in that experience. </p>
<p>But don’t worry: plenty kids get into good and even great schools without having had a paying job. As long as you have grades, stats and ECs, you will be fine. Furthermore, I can see why your dad may have been opposed to you working during school. Many parents feel that their children’s “job” is school, sports, hobbies and working on their social skills. He might be a bit peeved now - summer, when many teens work – because it bugs him if he sees you sleeping till noon and then on the computer too much. Are you gaming or on Facebook all day? (I ask because that really gets my goat with my own teenager.) If so, you may want to change gears a bit, and at least LOOK like you’re doing something productive ;)</p>
<p>Having or not having one doesn’t hurt you. Whether or not you had a job is a big part of who you are and what you’ve spent time on in your HS career (which is what colleges look to discover when reading your application). </p>
<p>I think it’s safe to say that somebody who has held a job, maintained decent grades, and say, three in-depth EC’s would perhaps be a more favorable applicant than one who has the same grades, the same in-depth EC’s, and no job. But this usually isn’t an issue, as if you don’t have a job, you likely filled that free time with some EC’s, a sport, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your opinions. I take it the general sentiment is that it’s not a huge issue? What percentage of students, would you say, apply to schools without work experience? </p>
<p>What about scholarships? I’d imagine it has a bigger impact on these, yes?</p>