<p>Is is really bad if I have no work experience?</p>
<p>It's not that I'm lazy or anything; on the contrary, I've participated in hours and hours (like, 200 or so) of community service, and I'm taking the most rigorous IB classes that my school offers, including 4 higher-levels. I'm a straight-A student, and involved in all sorts of extra-curriculars.</p>
<p>On top of that, my mother has flat-out REFUSED to let me work, because she's strange like that: "Your top priority is to look after your brother and keep the house clean." I kid you not. And my brother is bloody 12 years old.</p>
<p>On some applications, however, there isn't a spot that lists a reasoning behind not working. I submitted my UNC application, among others, with blanks on the "work experience" part, but now I'm worried because I just realized that it might look bad. Will they be able to see that I DO spend my time wisely, not just fooling around and doing nothing? Or should I submit an addendum to my file specifically explaining myself?</p>
<p>I just think the thing about my mother will be hard for them to believe, but it is absolutely true, or else I would be going out earning spending money for myself. Would it look stupid if I revised my application just to include that little thing?</p>
<p>A lot of people don't work, as long as you make up for it with excellent grades and EC's, as it appears you have, colleges will realize that you devoted your time to that instead, I don't see a problem with it.</p>
<p>i dont know, duffman, i never had a job when i applied for colleges and i didnt get into a single school i had hoped for. i'm fairly certain that a job commitment could have helped me out. i know exactly how you feel. </p>
<p>your application is your chance to help them know you the best way possible, and if you try to tell them why you didnt have a job, they may dwell on that and see it as if you are trying to make yourself look better for them, when they actually want to see the true you. make any sense?</p>
<p>For many colleges, it's important that you demonstrate a strong involvement in one or two activities outside of your regular school coursework. This involvement could be through school clubs, church activiites, community activities or through working a job or doing an unpaid internship or doing research outside of your regular school.</p>
<p>Working a job is not necessary. Demonstrating that you do more than go to school and study is necessary.</p>
<p>There are, though, many colleges, particularly in-state public institutions, that are mainly interested in your grades, gpa, class rank and SAT/ACT scores. They don't care whether or not you work or have ECs.</p>
<p>Well I am screwed then, because I have no significant ECs...Well I did do a sport for like 7 years, and competed at Nationals twice, but I quit at the end of 10th grade. I have never held a job, nor have I done community service. Is it too late to try to make up for my inactivity with a job/community service (I was thinking of tutoring both at my school and in the library)? Would adcoms just assume it was application padding?</p>
<p>Flipsta,
If you're applying to in-state public universities or to second tier private colleges where your stats are in the upper range of their applicants, your ECs, work experience, etc. probably won't matter that much.</p>
<p>If you're applying to very competitive colleges or out of state public institutions, your ECs, etc. may matter a great deal because the competition will be very stiff.</p>
<p>Regardless, it's to your advantage to get involved in some ECs, etc. because doing so will help you learn more about yourself -- what you enjoy and what you don't enjoy. This self knowledge will help you in the future when it comes to choosing a major and career path. The skills and people knowledge you gain also will help you both in college and in the job market.</p>
<p>Well, that makes me feel a little better. Even though I also just realized that I left off winning a Distinguished Delegation award at a Model U.N. conference on the three applications I've submitted!</p>