<p>We are in absolute shock. Our “B” student with decent ACT scores, no AP, no EC, no sports. Was just admitted to Drexel 5 year nursing co-op. We were all set and registered at Towson. I think Drexel is a significantly better school. Admit Counselors at most colleges told us she didn’t have a chance of getting into nursing. Towson is pre-nursing, Drexel is direct entry. It also costs way way more and obviously she won’t get merit aid and won’t qualify for need based $$. We are all still in shock.</p>
<p>Pretty much all colleges will want you to have used your extra time meaningfully. It can be used for just about anything productive. Volunteering or CS is not going to affect an application in any way.
Personally, I used to volunteer as a coach chess as a B level player, when I realized that it was not how I wanted to use my time; not only was I not a qualified teacher, but the volunteering prevented me from improving at something I love. So I quit and improved by 400+ pts by spending time improving myself instead, which was a much better use of my time.</p>