<p>I'm a 9th grader, but should I be keeping track of all the clubs and activities I'm involved in, and all of the community service events that I partake in?</p>
<p>Yeah, keep it stored somewhere. So you don't forget.</p>
<p>i'm going to Rice U next year. as i see it you have three options in high school regarding community service</p>
<ol>
<li>do as much as you can so colleges love you (and you will probably not enjoy life for 4 years)</li>
<li>do some so colleges think you're an ok person (and you'll probably complain anyways)</li>
<li>don't do anything you don't want to do. this is the option i chose and i have zero regrets. community service is great but don't do it for your college applications - you should be doing it if you want to or it doesn't mean much. i've got a good friend who did every club and activity and community service project he could manage and he really has had an awful time in high school. the key to enjoying high school is not to stress. let me know if you have any questions</li>
</ol>
<p>When did all of you start keeping track of community service hours? (besides vinegar, because it sounds like you didn't do any...or not very much).</p>
<p>My school has a community service requirement. They list the hours on the transcript each year from the beginning of high school. They keep track of school-sponsored activities, and you fill out a form for everything else.</p>
<p>All high school students should keep a resume-like document from 9th grade on, updating it every 6 months or so:</p>
<p>Name
Address
Phone
E-mail address</p>
<p>OBJECTIVE:
college and career goal (1 line)</p>
<p>ACCOMPLISHMENTS: (list by grade level or some other sort)
awards
extra curricular activities</p>
<p>EMPLOYMENT:
(if any, or express your employment interests)</p>
<p>VOLUNTEER/SERVICE:</p>
<p>ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE:
high school name, address, etc.
academic ranking, GPA, etc. if appropriate
AP/IB/Honors classes, etc.</p>
<p>REFERENCES:
(available on request)</p>
<p>I also suggest that 9th graders get a college application or two from any school (it doesn't really matter) and start trying to fill them out. Review them every 6 months during your hs career. Think about the type of essay questions and letters of recommendation that are requested. Don't wait until the summer after 11th grade to start the college review process, because it is often too late to develop a relationship with someone you want to write a rec letter for your or to think about ECs, AP classes, etc. </p>
<p>Most students on CC are ahead of the game just by being here and exchanging information here.</p>
<p>While that doesn't seem like poor advice, I think 9th grade is a bit early to be a college-application fanatic. I suppose it is ok for some and not for others. I say work hard but enjoy life.</p>
<p>I'm not talking about being a fanatic, but I've seen way too many hs students slip-slide through 9th, 10th and 11th grades just to "wake up" to the idea of really wanting to go to college when it is too late to adequately prepare for it.</p>
<p>You need to keep track of your information. It will greatly help you, esp. when you apply to college or a scholarship of some type.</p>