<p>Okay, so I know that you should take the most rigorous courses your school offers, and that it doesn't matter how many AP classes you take as long as you take advantage of what you have. But, I've noticed that colleges no longer look at your grades and test scores alone. I get that you should take extra curricular activities that interest you, but which ones stand out the most? How many volunteer hours really impress colleges? I am an incoming freshman, and I feel like absolutely nothing that I did in 8th grade will matter to colleges. I was just a part of National Junior Honor Society, advanced classes, and beginning Spanish.
Anyway, I would like to be in student council, tennis, band/orchestra, National Honor Society, etc... in high school. (I have no experience with student council, tennis, band/orchestra). But, I would like to take up leaderships roles in these activities. Any tips on how to do that?
Also, I have a feeling that volunteering can help too. I am thinking of volunteering in various hospitals, animal shelters, and rest homes. Any nationally-renowned volunteering gigs you know of? For example, Habitats for Humanities, etc... </p>
<p>
College applications won’t ask you how many volunteer hours you have. Volunteering is just one kind of extracurricular. Your ECs can involve community service, but they don’t have to. The Common App will ask you to list each of your ECs (up to ten) and estimate how many hours per week you spent on each one in which grades. They don’t have to be documented or verifiable.
Your ECs don’t have to take place at school. Almost anything productive you do outside of class counts as an EC, except for really passive things like reading. Colleges don’t care what you do specifically as long as you show focus (meaning, you shouldn’t just do a million things that don’t relate to each other, especially if you’re not interested in them), dedication, and accomplishment in everything you do. </p>
<p>Remember that colleges don’t really look at what you did in middle school. Join whatever interest you, experience or not, and only stick to the activities you enjoy. Try to excel in those and like Heather mentioned, show some dedication. </p>
<p>Do what you like and stay committed to it. Be a leader, which doesn’t necessarily mean being an officer. Make things happen in whatever you choose.</p>
<p>For example, if you’re into classic movies, you could start a classic movie club. Starting it is great. Then do more. Be the person who invites guest lecturers to visit. Be the one who organizes a field experience. And make sure you love it. Don’t just do it to impress some college.</p>
<p>In contrast, don’t be the lazy student body officer who shows up to the weekly meeting and the obligatory roadside trash pickup without doing much more.</p>
<p>Paint yourself neon green and break into the admissions office</p>