Common Data Set · Section C7

Which colleges consider work experience in admissions?

Of the 143 colleges with Common Data Set filings in Trajecta's dataset, 6 rate work experience very important in their admissions decisions, 25 rate it important, 101 considered, and 11 say it is not considered — as self-reported in each school's CDS section C7 ("Work experience").

What "Work experience" means

Work experience means paid employment during high school: part-time jobs, summer work, internships, or working in a family business. Colleges that consider it value the responsibility, time management, and real-world perspective a job demonstrates — admissions offices repeatedly say a job at a grocery store is as legitimate an "activity" as any club, and for students who work out of family necessity it is important context.

Very Important6 colleges, sorted by Trajecta rank

Considered101 colleges, sorted by Trajecta rank

Show 89 more colleges

Not Considered11 colleges, sorted by Trajecta rank

Work experience: frequently asked questions

Does a part-time job help college applications?

Yes — admissions offices consistently say employment counts as much as any extracurricular. A job shows responsibility, consistency, and maturity, and for students who work to support family it is context readers take seriously. List it on the activities section with hours per week like anything else.

Do internships count as work experience for college admissions?

Yes — paid or unpaid, internships and research positions count, listed either as work experience or as an activity. What matters to readers is what you actually did and learned, not the label.