<p>My DS is rising junior. We are thinking about what things he should consider in preparation for college apps next fall. Academically, he is doing well, takes the Honors and AP classes offered, top 5% of his class. He's also taken several college math courses. ECs include band (section lead, area band), debate (will be captain), tennis (will be co-captain), FBLA (qual for state/nat'l), stage crew, and other assorted clubs. Also tutored middle school kids in math. </p>
<p>My question is how important is it that he shows some community service or volunteering acivities? He does participate in SEEK activities (recycling, talks at elem school). With his current schedule, not sure how much add'l time he will have available to even get involved. A number of his classmates volunteer at local hospital and nursing homes. </p>
<p>We hope that he will be applying to top-tier schools, such as MIT and some Ivy's. If he doesnt get some things in this area, will he be at a disadvantage? He doesn't want to spend time doing things just so he can say he did. I'm trying to think of things he can do that will involve his interests of math and music. Perhaps volunteering time at local schools (not sure our own school district will entertain -- they are real sticklers about having people be employed by them!!)</p>
<p>Looking for input from others as to what we should do??</p>
<p>I agree, CGM.
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If he doesnt get some things in this area, will he be at a disadvantage? He doesn't want to spend time doing things just so he can say he did.
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He should spend time volunteering for a cause he cares about or helping others because he's a nice, thoughtful, active person who has causes he really cares about and wants to help others. Maybe he does that already, but then he'd probably have some community service in those areas reflecting his genuine concern and interest.</p>
<p>Colleges like to accept students who are caring and active individuals within their communities. In the end, though, the fact that he doesn't have "community service" probably won't hurt him in college admissions. </p>
<p>A true desire to be active within one's community, though, will serve a person well throughout life.</p>
<p>Volunteering/community service for the sake of apps is not something worth pursuing. You have listed a number of ECs that your son participates in. I assume some/all of the ECs listed is where his passion lies. My son (a freshman in college now) had some very strong passions -- computer science research, photography, Editor-in-chief of the newspaper. He participated in some community service here and there, but nothing significant. It was much more important to him to spend his time on one of his passions, and that was fine. In fact, you'll see when your son fills out the Common App that's very few spaces to list many activities. So all the small random community service activities he did didn't even make it on the Common App. He was very successful in admissions to a number of great colleges, (he got into 8 out of the 11 schools he applied to, and received merit aid at 5) -- so no negative impact there.</p>
<p>The only potential downside is that at some schools there are certain scholarships that are only available to students who are very active in community service. Other than that, I say he spend the time and energy to really pursue his passions and to develop those into something coherent. For example, I have read somewhere that admissions officers want to be able to define a student by their 2 or 3 passions -- such as the ballet dancer who loves chemistry or the Eagle Scout who is a varsity lacrosse player and debater. If there are a number of unfocused activities/ECs, the student won't be remembered as well or stand out as something unique.</p>