How important is community service to colleges? To me, I’ve always felt that many high schoolers (not all, but many) just do community service for the sake of doing community service so it can look good on a college resume. I haven’t done any community service, and I hope that doesn’t deter my college of choice from accepting me just because I didn’t go out there and get obligatory community service hours.
<p>idk if you can make that argument...theres something out there that you can do and enjoy to give u comm service hours. Seems to me u just didnt take the chance to find that. Dont pass it off as going out there and getting obligatory hours. I found something i enjoyed, im approaching 2000 hours of comm service</p>
<p>I'm currently working on a Summer Program, and was only doing it for the college application. But now, I really like what I'm doing.</p>
<p>You should atleast try to volunteer. Give it a chance.</p>
<p>Why haven't you done any? Just curious</p>
<p>And so what if kids do it for the application...if a few people are helped along the way, or the world is made a little cleaner, or animals get a few more walks, or kids get read a few more stories, they don't care why the kid is doing community service, just that they are</p>
<p>I just find it very sad that those with the energy and a bit of time don't go out into the world and try and make things a little better for someone else. Even a couple of hours a month at a shelter or a food bank can make a difference. And many colleges want kids who care about the world. Also, you can learn a lot about yourself, meet new people, get connections and have fun helping others or helping our planet</p>
<p>If you have a job, that is one thing, but most everyone has a few hours to spare a month.</p>
<p>Well for one I've had a job for the last year and a half, and when I'm not working there, I'm working on my short films and screenplays and participating at youth events at my church.</p>
<p>And while granted, you're still helping kids even though your just doing it for the application, what if the college asks you, say in an interview, why you did those services?</p>
<p>You say this was something in my community that needed some help, so I was able to go twice a month for a year. It was great. At first, I wasn't sure, but then when I met the people, it opened my eyes. At first I did it as a school program, or with my church , and after doing it a few times, I really wanted to conitinue. </p>
<p>If you end up doing something for a few years, it must be something you enjoy. If you only do it once or twice, it shouldn't end up on your application anyway.</p>
<p>Doesn't your youth group at church do any service work or volunteering. Many do. If not, maybe that is something that can be looked into.</p>
<p>Well actually my youth group doesn't do volunteering or service (which is kind of sad really). I've tried to get as many hours as possible at my job, trying to save up for some college expenses. And as I said, my filmmaking career takes up pretty much whatever time I have left. </p>
<p>If I'm coming off as a cold person, it's not that at all. I love people and at my job (which is a grocery store) I interact with so many different types of people (suburbanites, country folks, mexicans), mainly because of the store's location which is down the road from a very country town and on the outskirts of the suburbs. I just haven't had the tenacity that some other people have to get up and "give back to the community" so to speak.</p>
<p>Another issue I've had is that my parents work long hours, and I don't get to see them as often as many other students see their parents, so when I'm off of work or not working, I like to spend my time with them (we have a great relationship that goes even beyond parents/child).</p>
<p>I know that...I am really suprised a Church group does not service...that is indeed sad...have you suggested anything...</p>
<p>Working is good, as I mentioned before.</p>
<p>But I tell you, many people find it rewarding to give something back. It is good for the heart, and if it takes a college application to create some motivation, well, what harm? Seriouslly, how many kids LOVE AP classes, a few sure, but how many take them for college admissions...</p>
<p>You know, with your film making, I bet you could think of something... I mean it might be fun to film a local elementary school production, edit it, and then let the school sell it to parents as a fundraiser? Or create a public service announcement for your town, and try and get on some local tv? Its worth the effort and what you will learn in the process is better than any class.</p>
<p>PS Some of the best times my Ds and I have had was volunteering together...we would go to the local food bank and stock shelves and sort fruit, we would walk on the beach together picking up trash for the local beach cleanups, we worked at the zoo laying irrigation lines, we walked our city collecting eyeglasses for the Lions Club program...it is time spent together and spend well. </p>
<p>I am not judging, just making some suggestions...it is amazing what is out there and how good you can feel when you have helped...and the people you can meet, well, from our expereniences, we have met some of the most interesting, funny, and compassionate people.</p>
<p>cmill, My S's friend who is a stellar student, class officer,mid 1500s SAT(old test), president of Nat Honor Society,varsity sports, all A's was deferred from an ED Ivory due to not enough community service. She actually had done tons so when she elaborated on her experiences and wrote a letter, she was accepted. It is very important. Most kids that do it to look good do end up getting as much from the experience personnally as they give so whatever the initial motivation, it is worth trying it.</p>
<p>job or volunteer experience is always good to have Yes it will definitely help on your college app and mostly everyone does it from that reason. But I say I have definitely grown from my volunteering experience so at the end I say everyone grows as a person when they are done w/ volunteering.</p>
<p>If there is no place to volunteer that you like, its better to get a job.</p>
<p>wat 2,000 hours? do you know thats equivelent to 83 days straight?? When did u start?</p>
<p>3 yrs ago. Ive really moved up in it too. Ive gained alot of awards for my time put in and achievements, leadership positions and training.</p>
<p>wow, I'm coming up on 1000 and I thought I was insane.</p>