Do colleges prefer paid or unpaid?

mf8088
Sun, 06 Sep 2015 16:06:38 +0000

So I was just inducted into my school’s NHS, and they publish a list of available tutors each year. Because I have taken a lot of courses most students have not completed before the start of senior year, I have had several parents emailing me asking if I could tutor their kids in those classes. They are all offering between $20 to $30 an hour, but the thing is, I don’t know if I should take the money or say I tutor because it is my NHS duty to help other kids without compensation blah blah.

I’d love to get paid for my work, but I’m thinking that colleges look upon offering your services for free favorably and as a sign of community service/generosity. I’m sure they do, but more favorably than getting paid? Doesn’t that mean that you have services people covet and are willing to pay for? Basically the question is would tutoring look better on the Common App under work experience or community service. Thanks!