1
7 months ago
Admissions Advice
[edited]

Are unpaid internships really that high up on the ECs tier list?

I know that the chancing stimulator has unpaid internships for non profits and medium sized businesses at 2A, but I have heard many online communities and youtubers say that unpaid internships don't mean much to college AOs. What are your opinions on it? To those who had unpaid internships on their applications, do you think it boosted your application? Could it be the highlight of an application?

I've planned for 4-5 unpaid internships on my resume. I'm currently involved in one with a small business. Since they all last only a couple weeks (ranging from 2-12), have an age eligibility and are only available in the summer, I am planning 3-4 for next summer. 3 of them are with large scale non profits (1 of them is selective) and one of them is a research internship at a clinic. My other ECs are also club involvements and short term volunteer works.

I'm definitely continuing the one I'm doing currently and applying to the research internship, but are the others worth it? Would I be better off doing something that could be more prestigious? I know that I would truly enjoy those programs and be very involved as I work actively and closely working with professionals, but I really need ECs to boost my application too next summer. I'm very conflicted.

unpaid
ECs
internship
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1 answer

0
6 months ago

I would make sure you have a balance. 3-4 unpaid internships may be too much for 1 summer. Also, notice the word unpaid; college is expensive and you may want to consider a paying job or internship. Try finding a job within your field of interest. Colleges love seeing jobs and internships on the application; they prove dedication and diligence. Maybe choose the internships you are most interested in and find a paying job next summer. Colleges look for quality over quantity, so sticking with one thing instead of racing around doing multiple things may be to your advantage in more ways than one. I see your summer plans and I personally am overwhelmed and hope you are a little, too. I suggest you look into possible jobs in the career you enjoy. What are you planning to go to school for?

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