<p>I have a little brother who I have to take care of because we don't have the money to higher a babysitter or a relative to take care of him. Because of this, I do not have much time to participate in numerous extracurriculars, but I manage. Since I was taking care of my brother I thought why not babysit some other children? My mom's friends have two daughters ages 4 and 5 and I currently take care of them such as feeding them and helping them with homework.</p>
<p>The reason why I ask is because I feel like my schedule is more restricted, but I don't blame them. I still am able to participate in some extracurriculars but try to make them work around my schedule. Would this be something to add to the list? I do get paid for it as a matter of fact but I feel like because it's my mom's friends' daughters, it wouldn't count but I don't mind if it didn't I was just wondering. I spend around 3-5 hours a day with them Tuesdays to Thursdays. Thanks!</p>
<p>I don’t see it as an EC, but I would put it as “additional information” that your schedule is restricted for ECs because you care for your younger sibling and babysitting family friend’s kids on a regular basis after school.</p>
<p>So… like it or not, child care isn’t really considered an EC in itself. Whether colleges SHOULD value it as such is probably a debate we could have, but the bottom line is that they really don’t. Now… they do want to know that you are productive and not just slumped in front of the TV after school every day. But it really isn’t an EC… but it could go in additional info.</p>
<p>On the common app, there is an category for “Family Responsibility” in the activities tab. Would this apply there or is iit best we just leave it in additional info / let our counselor know so she can include it in her letter?</p>
<p>I strongly believe child care is an activity to be highlighted on your application and an opportunity to show more about yourself. If I am reading correctly, you spend 3 days a week (9-15 hours a week) providing child care. List it on the activities section of the Common App. Describe what you do, responsible for 3 children aged…, etc. You can list it as family responsibility. I would also let your counselor know so she can include it in her letter.</p>
<p>@intparent there is a specific designation on common app under activities for family obligations. Colleges consider it as an EC because it takes a lot of time. If they didn’t think it was an EC, why would there be a space for it? I think your definition of EC is too restricted. They want to know exactly what you did with your time, productively of course. Taking care of siblings and other children is a family responsibility.</p>
<p>Ah… didn’t know that. Either my kids didn’t us it, or it was a new addition to the Common App when they revised it last year. Then it should go there.</p>
<p>I don’t remember Family Responsibilities on the CA last year – but even so, I think this is absolutely an activity that you should list on the “Activities” section of the Common App. You could put “Child Care Provider (paid) under the role; and then describe the number of children and what your typical duties are at the bottom”. </p>