<p>Sorry for such a long title.</p>
<p>I've recently been informed of 2 great opportunities for next summer (summer before my senior year). One is a trip through an organization that takes us to a certain city and we do volunteer work there through different organizations. It's 6 weeks and additionally gives you 300 service hours. The other is doing courses at a college to earn college credits and get a feel for what college is like. </p>
<p>I think I know which one I'm going to do, but I'm curious how a college would weigh a summer spent doing community service against a summer spent doing college courses in the admission process.</p>
<p>Both are good, but which one is better for you would depends on your EC and classes. If you have any dual enrollment or a bunch of AP for credits, then taking a summer course may not be so beneficial to you unless you are applying to that particular college. If that volunteering opportunity falls inline with your EC very much and that experience would further show your passion on something, that may impress the admission officer more. In addition, this 300 hours community service may gives you something to write about on the essay. Nevertheless, make sure you don’t have any sudden change in behavior that may make the admission office skeptical though.</p>