How good is this volunteering?(mediocre/okay/good/outstanding)

[GMTplus7]

<p>

I volunteered in South Africa for 2 weeks to protect and reinforce the Kruger National Park…</p>

<p>I also did extensive bio research in the ghettos of Costa Rica, where I taught bio to the underprivileged kids living poverty. I also built a school and orphanage.</p>

<p>Is this close to Ivy League volunteering?

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<p>So how many weeks or days did you do this extensive research in Costa Rica?</p>

<p>Adcoms at selective schools have fatigue over kids trying to impress them with their essays about how they dug water wells for 4 days with their bare hands to help the indigenous children in some rainforest country.<br>
<a href=“College Admissions Secrets: Will a Summer Trip Abroad Get You into Harvard?”>http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/06/03/college-admissions-secrets-will-a-summer-trip-abroad-get-you-into-harvard.html&lt;/a&gt;

For many critics, the problem with such programs isn’t just their indulgence, but their inauthenticity: paying to do community service isn’t the same as doing it on your own.</p>

<p>But do admissions offices roll their eyes, too?</p>

<p>Indeed, in some circles, showcasing these trips on an application may work against students. "There is some cynicism about these programs,”

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<p>Not only were your parents affluent enough to pay for one fortnight poverty-tourism trip, but they serious paid for two!</p>