<p>I'm rewriting my resume, and in my descriptions for NHS and Leo Club, I'm writing, "Joined not to quantify community service hours but rather to enable myself to be actively involved with the community" so I don't want to then contradict myself and put some numbers down for hours served. This is the only community service that I really have. Is it okay for me to just write the requirements for each club? Like for Leo Club I'd write, "Required to participate monthly in various community events" and for NHS "Required to complete a minimum of five hours of community service every quarter." Would this sound okay to colleges? Or does it all sound insignificant? I'm applying to colleges such as Brown and Tufts, so I fear that I'm up against kids with 200+ hours of cumulative community service hours.</p>
<p>@ kwal</p>
<p>In my opinion, i'd say beneficial. Not only are you volunteering, but you've shown you have a focus and a passion through the kind of volunteer work you do.</p>
<p>I recently came back from a trip to Uganda, where I too spent a lot of time working with kids. Part of this included playing a lot of sports, something I love to do. Upon my return I have felt like I am not making as much of an impact, and so I am planning on working with Right to Play in my school to create some fundraising events. This to me feels like the perfect thing because I am able to combine my passion for sports and helping others. =)</p>
<p>I agree! I think that going abroad shouldn't be glorified because there are people in your hometown or city that need help just as those people in Africa do.</p>
<p>Hey guys- I've been volunteering as a counselor at a camp for people with disabilities over the course of two summer vacations. I do it, not because I want to racket up hours, but because I really see fulfillment in making kids who are less fortunate than I am become happier due to my efforts. (plus, its a better way to spend the summer than just loafing around, and helps me to lose some weight -_-) . I will probably have around 900 hours from this activity by the time I apply to colleges. But would quantifying this hurt me? Would colleges assume that I've only been concerened with the hours (which isn't true)?</p>
<p>gmitil10--I think your volunteering will be seen as a positive thing by colleges. </p>
<p>I would, however, (for instance) state that I volunteered from 9 to 5, X days a week, for so many months in the summer, rather than say I put in over 900 hours. They can figure out the hours from what you say you did over the summer, and it won't look like you're counting the hours.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. The thing is, I sleep and live with the people that I am helping at the camp during the summer. At the end of each summer, the camp also sends me a letter with the number of hours completed (which is always less than the actual number of hours I stayed at the camp. The camp seems to have some kind of formula of figuring out the number of hours). Would it still be better to report my volunteering with the way you described?</p>
<p>Even better! I would definitely say you live at the camp and eat/sleep there. Sounds like the basis for an essay.</p>
<p>I'm glad that college admissions are catching on to those who don't really care about community service. Personally, community service has been very prevalent in my high school career but, hopefully, in ways that show my commitment. The only activity that I worry isn't being perceived in a good light is an organization called Builders Beyond Borders that I've been involved with since freshman year (I'm a senior currently). We do, in fact, go overseas and pay, usually around $2500. The program is to build schools and other community buildings for less fortunate areas of the world. I've been to Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Ecuador. The difference, however, is that instead of getting your parents to write a check, the money is made through fund raising, i.e. car washes, tag sales, fruit/merchandise sales. There is also a # of community service hours that one must complete at home before being allowed on the trip. Needless to say, it's a pretty large commitment and, usually, those who are in it for college end up dropping the program after the first year. After all, the places that we're going to do not come guaranteed with running water and if you're not into it there are other far more luxurious ways to spend your spring break. Most of the money we pay is put towards tools and materials for the project. I wish I could explain this on every college application but I feel like all they see is: Builders Beyond Borders 50 hours/week for 2 weeks. It's too bad.</p>