Where, and how, would I list one-time volunteer events (volunteer events that lasted a few hours on one day only) on the Common App?
Thank you!
I don’t think you should list a one time volunteer event on your common app. Colleges are more interested in long term volunteering that you’ve done on a regular basis.
Agree. I wouldn’t bother to list.any one.day events.
I respectfully disagree with the others. My son will be listing his annual volunteering at the county special Olympics and school-sponsored lacrosse tournament. He looks forward to these events and doesn’t have a ton of other activities. I would simply say “County Special Olympics volunteering. 7 hours. Set-up, referee, ticket sales.” Or whatever it is that you did. I wouldn’t prioritize it, but if is important to you, there is no reason not to list it. One day events can add up to quite a few hours over the course of three school years.
^^^I think that an annual commitment is different from what the OP described as a “one time volunteer event.”
However I should have worded my response better and made it clear that it is the OP’s application and he/she should put anything that is important to him/her on it. I just don’t think any one day, one time event will move the needle in terms of college admissions.
I think my D will likely wrap all of her volunteer work under one EC spot if there is enough room, so you might try that if you have other volunteer activities.
I think this is the best strategy. On-off events are fine, but IMO they are even better if there is some type of tie-in. A few hour one-time event is pretty meaningless. An annual event that requires a few hours every year is not much better. However, annual involvement in Special Olympics tied in with other events serving people in need seems more interesting to me.
Agree with 5 and 6. If you can, find some way to lump them together.
Are they all “community volunteering”, or “non-profit fundraising” (or something like that)? just note some details in the description (e.g. volunteer at variety of community/fundraising events: local 5k, blood drive, boosters bake sale…).
@WhataProcess there are two one-time volunteer events: one is at a national awards ceremony for scientists where volunteers act as flag holders & guides, and the other is at the TCS New York City Marathon
They both sound like community volunteering to me.
For pos/org you could do something like: volunteer for 2 prominent events in my hometown(?)
for details: National XXX Awards - participated in ceremony/guided visitors; NYC Marathon - [state what you did]
While it is not a lot of time devoted, it at least shows a willingness on your part to get involved in some large events. Nothing wrong with that if you have room in your activities list.