<p>So I'm a junior in high school and I have started my college search (a little late I know). I've seen stats of students getting accepted/ rejected at all these schools and some have A LOT of community service. </p>
<p>I have a really good GPA, several school clubs, two sports, a pretty alright SAT score, lots of leadership, but not a lot of community service. I mean I've done some things here and there but nothing consistent like volunteering every week at an animal shelter. I've done about 70 hours total but at different places like elementary school science fairs, our local autism society sponsored events, and school activities.</p>
<p>Is community service a big factor in getting admitted into colleges? Because I had no idea so many people do so much community service because that's not a thing in my area....</p>
<p>"Is community service a big factor in getting admitted into colleges? " not at all. It’s a myth.</p>
<p>Now that doesn’t take away the fact that communities and volunteers benefit. But as a key to college admissions? It’s as unique as have a nose on your face.</p>
<p>At top schools they have an approach similar to what Stanford said in its FAQ
You don’t need to do a single minute of community service. Not that doing it is a bad thing, I heartily endorse it, but its not a checklist item where colleges insist that you do it.</p>
<p>BTW what selectivity colleges are you aiming at for your reaches? At most colleges they don’t take ECs into account, its only perhaps 100-200 out of the 3,000 in the US that give it more than a passing glance.</p>
<p>@mikemac, I am planning on applying to UMD College Park (I’m from Maryland), George Washington University, University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Emory University, and UVA.</p>