<p>I've been hearing a lot of talk about volunteering for college and the phrase "volunteering for college" seems like a paradox to me. Shouldn't one volunteer for the love of one's community and for the well being of society. I'm not exactly the volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter type and I don't want to start merely for the sake of impressing some ivy league institution. I am a HOBY alumni, but I certainly haven't volunteered for 100 hours. I have an interview to volunteer at some ivy league institution's hospital this Friday, but the only volunteer work I've ever done was for Student Council or the National Honors Society. It is expected of me as a Student Council member and it is "required" of me as an NHS member. I'm socially aware and am interested in the progression of society and in the resilience of mankind, but I'm not interested in helping others (unless they ask me to). I fear that I've grown into a cynical, pessimistic human being due to my lack of genuine community service. And the only legitimate reason I would want to volunteer would be to find myself and to warm my unfortunately cold heart. Should I volunteer just to impress some school or should I pursue another equally impressive path? If I should pursue another course of action what should it be?</p>
<p>Why don’t you try volunteering before you say that. go out and volunteer. i mean physically do something that can help some. work in a canned food drive ect. then come back and ask this question. volunteering looks really good on application and some people volunteer only to look good. i started volunteering in the sixth grade and it wasn’t until later i found out my work would be good in other places. honestly the answer to this question can go in a lot of different directions but i’m sure you’re not interested… anyway just volunteer it’ll help you and someone else. and as long as something good comes from your service i don’t really care what your motives are</p>
<p>Ideally, people should only volunteer because they want to and they’re determined to help their community. However, even the scads of high school juniors and sophomores volunteering solely for the college benefits do some good – people who come to a soup kitchen don’t care if the person behind the counter is only there for their own personal gain, they’re getting fed. And a lot of high schoolers find a passion for community and public service when they feel forced to volunteer to go to university.</p>
<p>A lot of high schoolers (and people in general) expect to go out there, volunteer, and either make a huge difference immediately or for everyone to pat them on the back and throw a party because they did something for free. Sometimes it takes a while for them to develop the motivation to gain intrinsic satisfaction from the act of helping others less fortunate than themselves without getting anything tangible from it.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice!</p>
<p>I think once most people start volunteering, they’re on a roll. Personally, I feel great after doing community service projects that do things I enjoy. I think that whether they originally volunteered because they wanted or for college apps or whatever, most find one they love and continue it on their own.</p>