<p>I've been extremely dedicated to one volunteering organization for years, and I've spent almost 2000 hours with it. However, one friend commented that 2000 hours is too much, that it's not believable, even though it's true.</p>
<p>It's an organization outside of school so my guidance counselor doesn't know a thing about it and won't include it in her letter of recommendation. </p>
<p>I was thinking about asking the organization for a letter of recommendation, but I already asked another person who knows me better personally, and most colleges only allow you to send in one additional letter. </p>
<p>Normally I don’t recommend sending extra letters of recommendation, but if this is a significant part of your life and your guidance counselor won’t be mentioning it in the GC report, why not get an additional LOR from the director of the organization. That will prove that your hours are legitimate while showing a different side of you that won’t be described by other sources.</p>
<p>OP, I can understand your GC’s concern about mentioning volunteer work outside the HS (which can’t be verified). Offer to give your GC a person to contact about this volunteering so she can write about it.</p>
<p>I agree with Erin’s Dad…having your HS GC verify the hours and include the information in your school letter is a great approach if you are not going to have the outside group write a third letter.</p>
<p>First, colleges are looking for items that make applicants stand out. They want to see students who have qualified for the Olympics, started million-dollar companies, played with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall and volunteered for 2000 hours with a single organization. All of these potentially demonstrate a tremendous impact resulting from consistent effort.</p>
<p>However, I am curious as to why you are hesitant about asking for a Letter of Recommendation. Even if the 2000 hours are divided evenly across your high school years, it still averages to 10 hours per week year round. How can it be possible that someone else knows you better than a co-worker with whom you have invested this much time?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about your Guidance Counselor. In fact, I believe her positioin is correct - she knows nothing about your volunteering and would not be able to speak to your involvement. She is already likely overworked and would gain little information about you from an isolated verification phone call. If you want adcoms to believe your volunteering, then you need to have direct evidence of your activity. That means a LOR from someone who has personally witnessed your passion.</p>
<p>I didn’t read the OPs post to mean the GC was refusing to write about the volunteer hours. I read it to mean she doesn’t know therefore it won’t be included in her LOR. Before we continue to slaughter the GC, perhaps the OP could clarify.</p>
<p>Good for you for giving back. That will help your app not just for colleges but scholarships as well. </p>
<p>Never be afraid to show your talents in the best light. Thats the point. </p>
<p>Insted of just the 2000 number consider highlight what you did all those hours. Especially useful will be situations where you showed initiative or leadership to your organization.</p>
<p>Given that one of the girls in my daughters class had 4,000 as of the beginning of Senior year, I don’t think 2,000 hours is unbelievable at all. You won’t be the first or the last with that kind of credential. I would be more concerned if it was 100 hours each in 20 different organizations, because that wouldn’t show consistency or passion. The reason it is not advisable to submit a non-academic recommendation, or to have extras is because they often don’t add anything to your application. This person WOULD be adding, and presenting a different side of you that the GC and your teachers don’t know about. That’s a valid reason to have an extra recommendation.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to do that, another option is to have the organization submit your hours for a Presidential Volunteer Service Award. They certify your hours, and those hours determine what level of award you receive. Then you could list that award - but I think the letter might be more impressive.</p>
<p>More than 2000 hours is not that unusual. D and another student in her high school both did. She had a letter of rec from the org she worked with, so that probably helped. After 2000 hours, someone knows you pretty well and ought to be able to say something insightful and unique so don’t hesitate to get that letter. You’ll probably need it for a reference for other jobs in the future anyway so it’s good to have in your file. D used the letter multiple times (with the author’s permission) to apply for scholarships.</p>
<p>First, did a portion of these 2000 hours occur prior to high school? Maybe the GC is uncomfortable referencing a number that includes middle school activities. Second, who cares if the GC mentions it? You mention your dedication to this organization in your essays.</p>
<p>I’m betting the GC would be delighted to know about this activity and to mention it in a letter (“In addition to school activties, aryadne has been a dedicated volunteer at Organization X. Over the past 3 years, she has devoted many, many hours to doing a, b, and c there.” Just make sure the GC has the info and perhaps even a contact person at the organization if s/he wants to verify or clarify anything.</p>
<p>@rmldad–
" How can it be possible that someone else knows you better than a co-worker with whom you have invested this much time?"</p>
<p>it’s because the organization changes leadership often and when I volunteer, I’m sometimes with strangers because of schedule changes, so unfortunately it’s not like I’m working with the same people day after day. So my volunteering hours, spread out throughout years, isn’t under the direct guidance of a certain person. </p>
<p>@blueiguana–</p>
<p>Yes that’s clearer! </p>
<p>Thank you to everyone else for their helpful advice and input!</p>