bmanbs2

The work experience i mentioned were all blue-collar jobs. They were assissting in aerial chemical application (bad hours and really messy, really dangerous chemicals), carpentry (long hours and lots of hard work), and a laundromat (just degrating). Will these help my chances with Harvard?

tokenadult

That would sure be different from the usual experience of a Harvard applicant, and you'd have a "diversity" argument on your side with that kind of work experience as long as the rest of your application looks solid.

corranged

I'm not sure if it will help that much. I know a couple of kids in carpentry, and the laundromat job doesn't seem that unusual. The first one is certainly different, but with child labor laws it shouldn't have been that dangerous. If you were doing these jobs to support your family, putting in significant hours during the school year, it would help. Alone, though, I don't think it's anything very helpful.

bmanbs2

I was old enough for the spray application job, but I didn't have a chemical suit. Becides, i was getting flight lessons as pay, so I wasn't complaining

bmanbs2

just because they make the laws doesn't mean their followed too. We had a student at my school who never had plates on his car, and he was the cop's kid.

dualityim

I'm sure Harvard will be thrilled to hear about the exploitations of child labor that went on around you and the violations of such laws governing the safety of children in the workplace.

bmanbs2

First of all I was 16, and if you don't spill the chemicals, you don't hurt anyone. Its that simple. Harvard knows that I drive, even though there is blatent disregard of traffic laws on the roads by some drivers

runningncircles1

Blue-collar jobs are looked upon better than no jobs at all, especially when income goes to non-self-interests (supporting the family).

corranged

Stop being so defensive. You asked for opinions; I gave mine.

I agree with Circles.

CityKnight06

Was it like, for your dad?

I know I've done like, chores and things, but for me chores are going over to one of my dads houses and running wiring.

Wiring a house is unreasonably hard, and I worked alongside guys he hired, but I didn't get payed. I assumed that was just avoiding a whipping, but could I put that down as... work experience? haha

SemperSpero

An extremely small number of Ivy applicants have work-experience like this. Most just have a "making coffee for daddy on saturday morning at his law firm to make me look good on a college app" as their only job experience. If you work in a grocery store for 30 hours a week ALL YEAR AROUND to help save for college and pay the bills, it is a boost for you.

runningncircles1

Wiring is pretty damn impressive. I know what you been through, city. I wire people's computer networks, and let me tell you it is physically hard and demanding. And, people wonder why I like wireless networks despite security risks. As far as I know, you can put that down as work experience. I put down some jobs that aren't traditionally seen in the Ivy pools (fixing computers[actually, this one may be], mowing lawns, etc)

corranged

I have (pretty) unique work experience, as well.

If this many of us have it, it can't help that much, unfortunately!

runningncircles1

I wouldn't say that, corranged. Every bit of talent and experience helps.

a_ravin_hurt

wow
all i do is watch TV




that was a joke. i do a lot more...i go to movies and parties and.....