<p>I'm an upcoming senior and I have no volunteer hours (oops). I do have a job over the summer as a lifeguard and I work about 20-30 hours a week. Is it bad not to have volunteer hours? I'm always afraid that my application won't be enough if I don't any volunteer experience. Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>Neither of my kids had summer jobs or volunteer hours. Both were accepted…one Early Action and one Echols. In other words, no single thing will make or break your application…it’s the whole package that counts.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Some kids can’t afford to volunteer. It would be weird to hold that against them. If you’re really concerned, I bet your school has a volunteer club that you could join.</p>
<p>Start now. And not just what some h.s. kids do together for fun, once in a while. Go vol this week with an org. Because, regardless of any others who got in on other merits, UVa is unpredictable for so many. And because it’s a good thing to do. Plenty of those kids who “can’t afford” to, have. My opinion. You decide.</p>