Paid work experience can include an after-school or summer job, paid internships, or consistent informal work such as babysitting or yard work. It is important to include any paid work you do in your Activities section, as paid work can take up a significant portion of time outside of the classroom and demonstrates to colleges that you are responsible and independent. Leadership roles or relevant skills within your work are also important pieces of information to include. 

When describing paid work experience, consider including an explanation of:

• Why you are working.
• What your responsibilities are at work.
• How much of a time commitment this is.
• What you’ve learned from this experience.
• How you use your earnings.

Significant home or family responsibilities are different from chores, in that they fulfill an important need in your household or family, rather than simply lending a hand. You may find that they are particularly time consuming, require significant energy, or limit your ability to participate in extracurricular or other activities. Knowing about your responsibilities helps the reader put your academics and other activities into context. This includes, but is not limited to, responsibilities such as:

• Caring for younger sibling(s) while parents or guardians work
• Helping with a family business (include only if unpaid; paid work should be entered in the Paid work section)
• Caring for a family member with an illness
• Managing family finances, such as paying bills or budgeting
• Serving as the primary translator for your parent(s) or guardian(s)
• Handling routine household tasks if you live on your own

Home responsibilities are just as important as paid work or being involved in extracurricular activities, especially if it's how you demonstrate your responsibility and work ethic.

When describing paid work experience, consider including an explanation of:

• What role(s) you take on to fulfill important needs.
• Why you take on these responsibilities.
• What impact this has had.

Extracurriculars and other activities can have a broader interpretation than the previous two categories, but are equally significant in understanding how you spend your time outside of the classroom. These can include:

• School or community involvement
• Unpaid internships
• Volunteer work
• Individual hobbies
• Clubs or teams where you spend significant time or have a multi-year commitment, such as a youth group, an academic organization, or an online publication

When thinking about which activities to include, reflect on how your activities provide insight into your genuine passion(s), growth, or future ambitions. Consider the following:

• Have I spent a significant amount of time on this activity?
• Do I hold any leadership positions or have I demonstrated growth within this organization or group?
• Does this activity reflect my current interests and passions?
• Does this activity relate to future academic or career goals?

When describing your extracurriculars or other activities, consider including an explanation of: 

• What role(s) you take on to fulfill important needs.
• How you engage meaningfully in the communities around you.
• What accomplishments you’re proud of.