<p>So, I’m looking at Harvard for next year. I’ve got my grades as high as they’re going to go, but the only standardized test I’ve taken is the SAT II Bio E, which I got a 790 on. I’ve got decent EC’s - Varsity Track, Cross Country, Brain Team, Rep to the Board, Black Belt in Karate. I’ve also got the legacy thing working for me bigtime; my brother, my sister, both parents, one grandparent.</p>
<p>However, I have absolutely no community service. Is this going to kill me? I should probably do something between now and when I apply, but with getting home at 6 from running every day and many hours of homework I don’t really have the time. Anyone?</p>
<p>it's going to look very bad that you couldn't fit it somewhere in your four years.... doing it now couldn't hurt, but they will probably think of you as a big procrastinator....you don't want that....you might as well just try to justify it with school and sports....</p>
<p>why can't you do some on the weekends and during summers? If you try to justify your lack of community service with sports involvement, it might not be too successful.</p>
<p>not everyone has to have community service hours. You might not look like the most generous person alive, but that's not something that would definitely hurt you.</p>
<p>err...correct me if im wrong, but i thought that community service is one of the most important factor in admissions? i've heard that while it's not the determining factor, but the absence of it will raise suspicions.</p>
<p>Couldn't somebody lie about their community service hours? I would never do something like that or anything, but couldn't they lie about it, and the college could never find out.</p>
<p>theoretically, you could fake everything on your application and the college would never find out. They're relying on the fact that most ppl have morals however...</p>
<p>Do you need proof about comm service hours? Like I have around 20 hours (i know not much) at the library, but would they ask for a statement from the library or something?</p>
<p>yeah its true.......I've heard of people who have "friends" at communtiy centers and they all of a sudden have like 600 hrs or something.........I've also heard of people getting their friends parents to sign the papers for whatever "service" they'd "done"......that way there's "proof" LoL.......I heard the only way u could actually get caught in a lie is if the college calls ur counselor when things don't add up........so for anyone planning to lie don't make it sound ridiculous (i.e. I was captain of six sports teams, presidnet of 11 clubs, and I have about 3,000 hrs of serv.)</p>
<p>I have about 200 hours, and I only mentioned volunteering at the nursing home on the activities chart, which only amounts to about 90 hrs, if you multiply hrs/week X weeks/yr X yrs. Community service is not absolutely needed, especially if you're very active in other activities or you work long hours.</p>
<p>Added: It's not like you write anywhere on the app the total number of hours you have.</p>
<p>I have no community service either, and I got in EA too.</p>
<p>It's not about whether you've devoted time to community service, it's about whether you've devoted time to a passion.</p>
<p>Oh, one more thing...asterstar said something about how justifying lack of cs with school and sports would look bad, but I disagree...much of my application focused on my committment to my sport, thus leaving little time for cs....adcom didn't seem to mind.</p>
<p>Don't worry too much about comm serv. BUT! c.s. doesn't always have to do with nursing homes and AIDS funds. Since you are excellent at athletics, use it! Go to the nearest ghetto/some poor area and volunteer/organize/initiate a free karate lessons group-- the fact that you are doing what you are passionate about (karate?) while helping other people will make you stand out. Besides, you will feel GOOD-- and I am serious when I say this.</p>
<p>as a sidestory, if anyone wants to know, :) I am a flutist and I volunteered at local ghettoish place, where there are basically no kids who can afford music lessons. Through the local newspaper, I was able to let known what I was up to, and I gathered about 15 used instruments -- flutes and a couple pipes. I went to the inner city elementary school, and started giving music lessons. Of course, I was able to use this in my essay, but I grew up, more than anything else. I began to see the world.. how some live.</p>
<p>Besides that, my ECs aren't truly great.. (no leadership.. mediocre sports activities.. so on, you know what I mean)... so I got deferred for Early Action. :) Let's keep my fingers crossed for April !!</p>