I never really considered volunteering before right now, and I am a junior in high school. Thus, I have no volunteer hours. I know, I know, but I am asking now, should I find some volunteer opportunities this year/next summer just to have some, or is that not the right attitude (will colleges see through my starting volunteering my junior year)? I otherwise have decent EC’s, including varsity debate team, percussionist in my schools since elementary school, and German National Honors Society.
There is never any harm in volunteering. At the start of the school year, I think volunteering now until senior year is not going to look like an obvious ploy. Starting as a volunteer anywhere, at any time isn’t going to look bad though.
It also depends on the schools you apply to. Some colleges value it strongly, others not so much. Plenty of kids apply with no volunteer hours. You can check any college’s common data set, section C7, to see how they consider volunteering. If a school considers it and is selective, I’d make an effort to get some volunteer hours in.
Volunteer if it is something you want to do. It is never too late to find a worthy group/cause that you would like to support with your time and energy.
Do not volunteer if you are doing it just for your college application. No one type of EC is necessary for college admissions.
PoliText offers great volunteer hours and it is so easy to volunteer with them. It is great if you like topics like human rights or politics. Visit their website!