<p>I'm going to be applying to colleges in the fall, and I am worried about my volunteering hours. So far I am a volunteer in my school's nursery, played piano for a few charity events (I have no clue if that counts as community service.), participated in a Church wide service initiative, been in a student government group that occasionally plans fundraising events for charity, and a few other random things that probably aren't even worth listing on my application. When you add up all the hours it is under 100, which is significantly less than many other people. I am in my school's NHS chapter. It does about 4 community service events per year, but they mostly happen at the same time as my orchestra rehearsals. I really don't like missing my orchestra rehearsals.</p>
<p>I honestly don't think I have much time for community service between now and the time that college applications are in. Between working a part time job and many commitments with music, my schedule is pretty booked. Also, I don't want to look fake by padding my resume with volunteering hours right before applications are turned in. I'm definitely active in my school and town but mostly with music and religious related activities. I'm just wondering, with solid grades and standardized testing, how much will a lack of significant community service affect me when applying to top universities and LACs. I've heard from some people that community service is very important. I've heard from others that it isn't as long as you've done something. Does anyone have any input for me?</p>
<p>It is very important that you specify what major and school you are looking to go for. If you are interested in music, performance groups are much more important than soup kitchens, especially when factoring in the commitment these take. Please specify, and maybe we can help a bit?</p>
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<p>I am sure the people who told you this meant well. They are profoundly mistaken.</p>
<p>Most colleges and universities in the U.S. aren’t very selective. If you meet their academic standards, you’ll be admitted.</p>
<p>A minority of American colleges and universities get way more applicants who are academically well qualified than they have room for. So they have to choose among these academically well qualified applicants on the basis of something other than academics. One criterion that they use is extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>Now, your shtick might be volunteerism. If it is, then you’ll probably have done a ton of community service, and over the years you’ll probably have taken on more responsibilities, or shown leadership or growth in some other way. And that will be great! Most important, it’ll be good for your community. Next most important, it’ll be good for you as a young person growing into adulthood. And least important, it’ll appeal to colleges.</p>
<p>But volunteerism might not be your thing. Your thing might be debate or tennis or choral music or raising show dogs or working in your family’s dry-cleaning business. For purposes of college admissions, those can be just as good as volunteering. </p>
<p>You say you’ve devoted a lot of time to music and to working for pay. Both of those are worthwhile endeavors–much better than, say, beer and Xbox. You’ll be fine–especially if you can show that, over the years, you’ve made some kind of progress or taken on greater responsibility.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you for the input! thekoyaanisqatsi, I don’t plan on being a music major or going to a conservatory. However, I want to minor, and I will submit arts supplements to colleges. I’m going to be applying to a couple ivies. The rest of my schools are liberal arts colleges.</p>