How can I effectively present my babysitting experience on the Common App?

Hey folks! I’ve been doing quite a bit of babysitting throughout high school and I think it’s taught me a lot of responsibility. How should I include this on my Common App? Do I list it as work experience or an extracurricular activity? I want to make sure colleges know how important it is. Any advice would be earnestly appreciated!

I understand your concern about making sure colleges see the value in your babysitting experience. Definitely, include it on your Common App, as it showcases responsibility, time management, and often, crisis management skills. You can include this under the 'Work Experience' section, since it is a paid job.

As for presenting it effectively, highlight the skills and responsibilities that come with babysitting. For example, mention if you managed schedules, tutored, cooked for, or coordinated activities for the children. Also, if you made any notable decisions that led to positive outcomes, like organizing educational games that helped the kids improve in school, that's a great thing to mention. Colleges are interested in applicants who take initiative and display maturity, which babysitting often requires.

To further bolster the impact, if babysitting has influenced your intended major or career path in any way, be sure to note that connection in your application essays or additional information section. Babysitting might seem commonplace, but it's all about how you frame the experience and what you've learned from it. Good luck!