Working at McDonalds during gap year

<p>I am apart of the class of 2012 and I plan on taking a gap year next year. Also I will be applying to college during the gap year, to give myself a bit more time for researching colleges/studying for SATs, and also my local college does not do deferments. I tried to get a job with an AmeriCore organization, but that is becoming increasingly unlikely and my parents don’t have the money to send me away on any fancy gap year program. I was thinking about getting a full time job at my local McDonalds (or perhaps the local grocery store) to help my family pay the bills during my gap year. Is there any chance that this sort of activity will diminish my chances for acceptance into college?</p>

<p>A job at McDonalds should improve your chances of acceptance as it demonstrates that you can do many things that lead to success in college. They should also look upon your reason for workng favorably.</p>

<p>McDonalds has a pretty good career growth path too if you want to move into management there.</p>

<p>Several years ago, when my now college-age children were small, our next door neighbor’s daughter was in college. She was a math education major and aspired to be a high school math teacher (her mom was also a teacher). She also worked all through high school and college at a McDonalds that was close by on the turnpike rest stop.</p>

<p>When she graduated from college, she ended up staying with McDonalds. She had worked her way up to management, and the income was significantly higher.</p>

<p>The only thing I would warn you about working during your Gap year, if it is to help your family pay bills - would be how this would potentially impact your Financial Aid when you apply to college. If you are hoping for need-based aid, they would likely view your income as reducing your need.</p>

<p>No - getting a job to help your family in this economy will help your chances. Be sure to keep reading a lot of good, challenging books during your gap year.</p>

<p>what BC said. </p>

<p>Also, there will probably be a McDonald’s wherever you go to college and it will be easy to keep your job while you are in school.</p>

<p>D 2 worked two jobs during her gap year ( three if you count the summer after high school). She made enough in 5 months to travel to India and the UK for almost 6 months. Didn’t affect the EFC that much, but it did some & of course the money was spent on her trip ( mainly on airfare) not saved for college. She was also able to defer her admittance.
I think as long as you are busy & moving forward toward continuing your education, colleges aren’t going to look askance at taking time off to work in fast food.</p>

<p>I second all the above posters to say a job at McDonald or a grocery store will in fact enhance your chances of acceptance to colleages. It shows your maturity, responsibility and work ethics. It will also improve your many skills that you need to do well in school or otherwise.</p>

<p>Well, sorry to add a different perspective. A high school job at Mc D’s or the grocery store is always good- the kid is working with adults and fitting that into all the other hs experiences. I personally feel a gap should be a step up from that. I know it’s hard to find a good job experience, but see how you can “make the most” out of that year. </p>

<p>The thing to do is take on, at the same time, a significant role in a local volunteer organization. See if you can turn your vol work into the main gap experience (or spin it that way) and McD’s then becomes the secondary, the thing you did to earn some money. It will look far better.</p>

<p>You don’t have to have an expensive gap program and if you can’t do City Year, you can still put the same energy into something else in the community. Good luck.</p>

<p>Suggestion: If you’re going to work in a restaurant, consider waiting tables. You’ll earn a lot more that way.</p>

<p>“Gap year” is not a formal thing. Gap year is simply taking a time off from school after high school before you entering college. it could be two years or three years or more… working anywhere is a fine thing to do before you enter college.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>It’s very hard for me to imagine a better way to spend a year than helping out ones family financially in these difficult times. </p>

<p>What you are describing is for a student who does not need money. That’s a nice position to be in, but most are not in that position and colleges know that.</p>

<p>Rom, if I were an admission officer, all else almost being equal, I’d take a kid who works at M to help her family for a long year over a kid whose parents just funded $10 grands on a third world do gooder expedition. If you could write an essay about your M’s experience, outline three or four things you’ve learned, how it helps your family etc. you’re as good as the next rich kid. To be perfectly honest, I wish my kids think like you.</p>

<p>Better than taking a year off to “find yourself”. You sound like you could teach the OWS knuckleheads a thing or two. Keep that work ethic, it will take you places.</p>

<p>What you are describing is for a student who does not need money
I suggested the vol work in addition. I don’t want to be controversial- it is very good for a kid to contribute to family expenses or cover his own- but there is no magic line after hs that says, ok, you did the right things (ECs, classes, maybe job) during hs and that’s enough. It looks like OP won’t be in deferred status; he’ll be compared with other fresh applicants. Wouldn’t it be wise to do a little CYA?<br>
And, don’t places like McD’s or the grocer limit hours, to skirt the benefits issue?</p>

<p>Don’t underestimate the value ad coms will place on the maturity of a young person deciding to get a job and assist his/her family during the year while taking the time to apply for college. These are strong and demonstrably responsible qualities. If that same person was to choose to do some volunteer work because he or she had the time, I don’t believe it would be looked down upon, either, but I don’t believe it would be valued “more highly,” either.</p>

<p>Agree, no admissions counselor is going to value give points for this activity or that work that a potential student does after high school and before they head to college. They will take it at face value. I think it’s dangerous to even have started calling his time “gap year” because it implies some romantic thought about something that doesn’t exist. “Self enrichment” can be a component, but so can many other activities that on surface may certainly be self enriching in a different sense. Many kids do not enter college immediately after high school for many different reasons. Technically the term gap year applies most closely to students who apply, are accepted and ask for a year deferral. Anyway, I think whatever plan the OP puts together will be absolutely fine.</p>

<p>@ OP:
I don’t think a service job like McD’s will hurt your chances; it’s a tough economy now, so any job you can hold <em>and move up in through promotions</em> will be looked upon favorably. What’s better, though, is a job that is connected somehow to your future planned major / career. If your future is in the “business field”, then McD’s is great job experience!</p>

<p>If the OP’s family financial situation is bad enough that working at McDonalds will make a significant difference, may I respectfully suggest that looking at instate public universities with lower tuition may be equally as useful as waiting a year to enroll at a prestigious private (depending on how financial aid rolls out). Plenty of students there juggle the demands of work and school in order to help out their families.</p>

<p>It is possible the OP’s local college is public. Some people struggle to afford even the less expensive colleges. Go ahead and start working at McDonalds- even during your senior year of HS. Do keep your grades up- they will be looked at regardless of any work experience. Also get your tests out of the way while you are still in HS and used to academics. Working for McD’s fulltime can lead to management positions relatively quickly. You can also choose another job if a better one comes up with more income, although some employers may choose someone the hope will be there longer than one year. A medical school classmate worked at McD’s to help with his expenses. Check out other job possibilities- don’t limit yourself to the obvious.</p>

<p>My son didn’t do a gap year, but always worked at simple jobs instead of volunteer work (although did some) or fancy summer programs that cost a lot of money. When he interviewed or talked to admissions staff, they always stressed it was never a bad thing to work, especially if you stated you needed the money. I remember one admissions counselor saying he along with anyone who can think, understands that a 7000 summer program, no matter how prestigious, is not open to all and working with the pubic, developing a good work ethic and providing for yourself and/or family, is always something admirable and teaches many other skills.
I agree.</p>