<p>I plan on completing about 100 hours of community service to include on my applications. I currently have a total of 12 hours completed, but I was wondering if it would hurt me in any if all of my community service was completed during my senior year as opposed to grades 9 - 12? I really didn't get involved in any ECs and activities until 11th grade, because I hadn't realized the importance of getting involved outside the classroom. I know a lot of students have participated all throughout their high school years, but that doesn't apply to me. HELP! </p>
<p>P.S. I do have other activities to include, but I'm lacking an impressive amount of involvement in regards to volunteering.</p>
<p>comm service hours have practically no impact whatsoever on your eventual admissions. Take your best estimate, put that down – and spend time crafting a great essay.</p>
<p>I’m in a similar position… I’m scrambling now to get hours but I’m worried that it will look superficial since its so last minute and spread out over different activities. It should still be better than nothing…</p>
<p>In my first terse reply, I may have indicated that somehow Community service isn’t important. I strongly belive voluntarism is a very important feature of a young person’s development and may open new interests previously unknown. </p>
<p>What I mean to imply is that students often obsess with # of hours of this or that – as if this accounting is some magic component. It’s not. Practically everyone has comm svc hours. It’s what you gain from it that’s important, not the # hours you put into it, IMHO.</p>
<p>I understand where you’re coming from. I’d like to volunteer once school starts, because I could assist students with their college apps, homework and even serve as a computer tech from time to time. I was going to volunteer early in the summer, but my only option was basically to volunteer with children in a camp program; I didn’t really want to do that, but I may give it a shot in 2 weeks just to get the experience. I’ve worked with young children before and it went well, but I wasn’t my absolute favorite task.</p>
<p>Getting involved in a regular community service project can also help you with recommendations for outside scholarships, leadership scholarships, etc. It doesn’t have to be glamorous. There are food banks, library programs, nursing home helper opportunities. You might even get a wonderful essay topic out of a genuine experience.</p>