At my ivy, all the pre-meds "worked" (for free) in labs. Some did great research. Unclear if it qualifies as working, but it occupies so much time it is impossible to hold another, paying job.

Only in summer.

If you don't needed to work why would you. The only with while jib would be related to your major scrubbing dishes or waiting tables is worthless.

I worked in college at a very rigorous private SLAC, although it was all on campus and mostly related to my major (I tutored, worked as an undergrad TA, and helped a professor grade problem sets). I would say that definitely more than half of the students worked either work study or campus jobs (the mail room, or calling alumni for donations, or in the library, or in the chemistry stockroom or tutoring center). I think it is very common and many people do it for money to buy textbooks, toiletries, and entertainment.

I only worked summers and winter break. I had this arrangement with my employer.

Anonymous wrote:I went to Yale and worked part-time as part of my FA. Only FA kids worked and I only did it during semesters when I really needed the money because it was a challenge to keep up when I was spending 15 hours a week working without sacrificing other things. If I can afford for my kid not to work in college I will definitely do it. There are lots of ways to get work experience through internships and summer work. The time spent during the academic year on non-career oriented work is not essential.

I think this type of part time work is quite common and not much of a distraction at all.

I think more normal these days. My D is getting a part time job, mostly for the discount at J Crew but whatever motivates her..this way she gets extra spending money and great discounts!

I worked part time troughout high school and of course college. If the kid isn't working then the parents are getting stuck buying 100% of what the kid needs.

I went to Yale and worked part-time as part of my FA. Only FA kids worked and I only did it during semesters when I really needed the money because it was a challenge to keep up when I was spending 15 hours a week working without sacrificing other things. If I can afford for my kid not to work in college I will definitely do it. There are lots of ways to get work experience through internships and summer work. The time spent during the academic year on non-career oriented work is not essential.

I worked PT and was an RA. If I had the choice, however, I would have not worked. But I have had a job almost continuously since I was 15.

I had a full merit scholarship, but worked about 20 hours per week to pay for my books, apartment, etc. I worked a little as a tutor, which paid well, but for the most part, I worked minimum wage retail at the local mall.

Graduated summa cum laude. I think most kids should have a part-time job in high school and college to teach them what it's like to have to work for money, and to have responsibility for themselves and what they spend. I agree with PP that full-time work would be too much to balance with studies without incredible effort.

Finally, my part-time tutoring job was the launchpad for my future career, for which I am well-remunerated! So I also think it can give kids an advantage (more so than the now-ubiquitous summer internship).

My kids did not work but I think its a growing trend.

Still, I think working is a plus when it comes time to get a real job. I would pick the candidate who worked over the candidate who didn't, just because i know he/she understands what it means to have a job.

This

I worked in college, but only part time. I worked full time in the summer. I definitely found working beneficial in terms of gaining the skills of managing time and money. It also gave me a window into the working world, which includes things like personality conflicts and informal performance yardsticks.

I also taught at a university for a while, and from what I've seen, it's best to keep it at 15 hrs per week or less. 20 hours+ can start to impinge on study time and extracurriculars.

^ No need to argue about it.