<p>Doing community service during your high school career may effect your grades, etc. </p>
<p>What do they want to see? That you did the work and the number of hours? Or that you volunteered regardless of your busy schedule?</p>
<p>Well, could be one or the other, even both, depends where you're going...</p>
<p>I see. I read somewhere that if you volunteer during your school hours, it makes it seem that you had a very compact schedule, but you still managed.</p>
<p>But then, as long as you do some type of volunteer regardless of when, I guess is fine.</p>
<p>yup, that's true. i guess the idea is, that you know you want those hours, right? if its possible, do most/some of them during the school year, as it can make a good impression. but yeah, as long as you have the hours, you should be ok. :)</p>
<p>how many hours is reasonable...total</p>
<p>once again, it depends where you're going... tell me what field you want to go into in and after university, i'll be able to tell you if I know :D</p>
<p>business or english</p>
<p>The best way to get involved in Community Service to join National Honor Society, or the INTERact Club, if you school offers them. I know for a fact these two organizations focus on community service and seeing them listed on a college ap will flip the switch to the neon sign that says, "Hey! I've done volunteer work!"</p>
<p>What deviant said was good, i second it.</p>
<p>And Jyankees, i've heard that at least 100-200 hours is good, but the point to note is that you should try to make your volunteer work indicative of your interests, like maybe help out in a big business firm or something, you know...</p>
<p>Colleges also want to see that you don't start a bunch of stuff your junior or senior year. This is because it only looks like your trying to "patch" your application with as many things as possible, a definate negative.</p>
<p>Besides, you won't get any hours in at that point anyways.</p>
<p>I just joined NHS in sophomore year, and Skills USA - VICA sophomore year, but the newspaper is new to my school and I'm part of the staff as of this year - Editor :)</p>
<p>Do community service for the sake of community service. Please don't do it to please the colleges.</p>
<p>mruncleramos, you have a point. But again, some people might as well do what is actually going to be beneficial, worth their time. But you're absolutely correct.</p>
<p>For the top colleges, they are more interested in depth of commitment than total hours. Just piling up random hours isn't that impressive because it can look like you did the service only to dress up your resume.</p>
<p>Taking leadership in community service, such as starting fund raising or mentoring projects -- is impressive as is doing service related to a field that you're considering majoring in. For example, student planning to be a doctor could impress colleges by volunteering at a hospital or starting some kind of health education project.</p>