Hello everybody,
I’m a sophomore in high school. So far, my plan is to go to a pharmacy school and become a pharmacist.
I’ve started to think about stuff that I’m gonna do this summer.
There is this charity program(let’s not mention any names) which help disadvantaged/abused women in a 3rd world country. They accept girls from 16-25 to travel to their center and help them, tutor, and work for them for 2-3 weeks. Then they require you to raise money for them through fundraising. That 3rd world country is actually were my parents are from so I’m fluent in the language.
My question: do you think I do the right thing by going over there for a month and then come back and study for the SAT/ACT the second month of summer? Or is it useless because it’s not related to my major??
P.S. I personally love to help them, but I really wanna consider the impacts that is going to have on my apps an chances to get into a good college. If is really going to help me, I will go and also raise money for the charity (I’m the president of 2 clubs so I’m familiar with fundraising cuz I fundraising like every 2 months for my clubs).
I will be happy to read your opinions,
thanks.
bump?
If you wan to do it, do it. Don’t base your life decisions over whether it may or may not help you get into college.
@yonceonhismouth It really takes time so I don’t want it to be useless! 
any help???
I don’t see how you would possibly think a program where you are spending time helping others far less fortunate than you could be useless.
Colleges dont want you doing things just to impress them lol thats not the right attitude
I would research the concept of “voluntourism” before you make any commitments to any particular program. Often, these organizations (read: corporations) pass little of those hefty fees you’re paying to help on to the people they’re “serve.” It’s awesome that you’re fluent in the language, so why don’t you try finding volunteer opportunities around you that such a skill would be useful in–perhaps a refugee resettlement agency, abuse shelter, an immigration law center, or a low-income clinic (you didn’t specify the language/country, but these are all potential opportunities if they align). Then, you can have the best of both worlds–working/volunteering for a cause and having some time to study.
So this is for the summer before junior year? And you aren’t planning on graduating early, are you? It hardly figures into college applications. Maybe something happens that is worth mentioning in an essay, or something that leads to more significant application material, but by itself this summer isn’t pivotal to college admissions.
@rougesneakers but the point is they don’t want me to pay ANY money! They just want me to pay for my ticket to there!!
@Oregon2016 so can u tell me what’s pivotal? cuz honestly that is my question! I just need someone to guid me! I’m hardworking and I have a really rigorous schedule and I’m willing to put in EFFORT
@Oregon2016 and alsp no I’m not going to graduate early and how is that related?
If you are graduating early- and applying early, which nowadays with gap terms isn’t a given I guess- then your high school record is compressed with one less summer or one less semester. An early graduate may need to take a summer course or two, tour colleges, and/or really work on ECs at this point. But you are free this summer to pursue a passion, a skill, or an intellectual interest (unless you need to work which many kids must do.)
I’m not experienced with pharmacology programs. If you are thinking about entering a 4-year undergrad institution where you can major in pharmacology or similar and receive a BS degree, what will be pivotal is your GPA, SAT/ACT, maybe subject tests, ECs, essays, and recommendations. The relative importance of each of these depends on the school. Some, for example, weigh standardized scores more than GPA. You mention being president of 2 clubs- are these the ECs you spend the most time on and how does your leadership contribute to them?
“Then they require you to raise money for them through fundraising.”
I’m simply going off what you said.