<p>I am currently trying to find as many volunteer opportunities as possible because I am already a sophomore but have ZERO hours so far. So far, many of the places I want to sign up for are on Saturdays, I have a problem, because I do a community orchestra on Saturdays. I really want to go to the community service places because I know they are good for college, and I personally enjoy doing them, too, but giving up my orchestra would be a bit depressing, too.
The orchestra I am in isn't like a state, only-for-the-best people, but would it still possibly be good to write in a college app? If not, then I am thinking about quitting it and just doing the community service projects.</p>
<p>Why do you think you need volunteer hours (unless your school requires them for graduation)?
College applications won’t ask for a number of volunteer hours. They ask you how many hours you spent per week on all of your extracurriculars, not just community-service-related ones. Your ECs can involve community service, but they don’t have to. </p>
<p>Go to your local library. That’s where I do all of my volunteer work.</p>
<p>What if I want to become a vet? The place I want to volunteer at is an animal shelter, and I read online that working at shelters would be really good to put on a college app for someone who wants to be a vet.
Would it still not matter if I do orchestra or shelter work? Or would community service at a shelter prove more useful?</p>
<p>animal shelter, clinics, and hospital</p>
<p>You don’t need to sign up for a bunch of volunteer stuff to impress colleges. They are looking for passion. For example, I am very interested in politics, so I volunteer on a local representative’s campaign. That’s what kind of stuff colleges want.</p>
<p>Stay in the orchestra. Community service is just another extracurricular (although it has many benefits not typical to other extracurriculars, particularly that it is very fulfilling). Try to make time on some other day of the week and find something that you actually feel passionately about. For example, I mentor in higher level math because I strongly feel that gifted kids also need help to reach their full potential. Sure some might say that “oh, that’s not as noble as helping struggling kids,” but that’s what I enjoy so that’s what I do!</p>