The desire to make money (as in, “I want to major in business
so I can become a CEO and make a million dollars”) isn’t something that’s going
to move a college admissions officer who’s reading your file. But a track record for making money is a
different story.
Get a part-time job at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Babysit.
Sell art on Etsy. Build
websites. Fix peoples’ computers. Get a paper route. Become a private pitching coach for little
leaguers. Start a neighborhood
car-washing business. Sell antiques on
Ebay.
Every one of those is an example from a real Collegewise
student. Those students prominently
shared their money-making endeavors in their applications and essays, and all
of them were successful getting into college.
Making money (legitimately) takes initiative, persistence
and responsibility. A teenager who earns
$5,000 during high school by tossing pizza dough three nights a week is hard
not to like in college admissions.
So don’t worry if your job or other venture seems unimpressive. Put in the time and work to
earn some extra money, and colleges will invite you to bring your earning power
to their campuses.