How important is Volunteering for UF admission?
How many hours are good enough?
Look at UF"s common data set. Section C 7 will list the relative importance of each academic and nonacademic (like volunteering) factors in first-time, first-year degree-seeking (freshman) admission decisions.
https://ir.aa.ufl.edu/media/iraaufledu/common-data-set/CDS_UFMain_1819.pdf
UF list volunteering as “Very Important”. You don’t have to do volunteering to get into UF, but you have to do something other than take classes. Extracurricular activities, work experience, etc. However, UF does value volunteering, and it would be wise to do it.
Since 100 hours is required for the in-state Bright Futures scholarships, most admitted in-state students will have at least this amount (for the scholarship). You should shoot for 100+ hours.
According to the UF Common Data Set, volunteering is “Very Important.” Other things in this category: GPA, rigor, essay and extracurricular activities. Listed as “Important”: standardized test scores, work experience and first generation.
I don’t know if there is a threshold for hours. To get full bright futures, you need 100, so I think that could be considered a baseline of sorts.
What I have heard is that UF wants to build a class of well rounded students. They want to see that kids did more than just study. They know you have spare time, so what did you do with it? Volunteer? Play a sport? Work part time? Or nothin’? Or play video games and hang out?
Do you look for ways to better your community? Did you put your phone down and think about other folks who might not have what you have?
Great minds … @Gator88NE