Does Community Service Matter in College Admissions?

In any college application, once you get past the demographics, grades, and standardized test scores, comes activities. Extracurricular activities and leadership roles have always been part of admissions; but also colleges want to read about students doing positive work that impacts the community. According to a survey conducted by DoSomething.org, admissions officers reviewing applications are looking to see students have spent time giving back to their communities. Yet before your high schooler starts signing up for volunteer hours, keep in mind that there’s no magical number to achieve. Colleges want to know why your student is doing the service work. Therefore projects that matter are those that –

Show long-term commitment. Spending an hour a week after school over a semester demonstrates more commitment than volunteering broad over spring break.

 Demonstrate leadership, depth, and passion. When choosing a volunteer project, students should select ones that connect to their interests, and demonstrate leadership and passion for a particular cause. Projects that read mandatory or required are frowned upon.

 Make for excellent college essays. Community service projects are a perfect way to capture who your student is as a person, their leadership potential, unique qualities, passions, well-roundedness, and his or her genuine interest in uplifting others.

Help your student find fun ways to give back this holiday season. Stand Out College Prep has put together a list of ideas for your student to make a BIG difference in your community that make an IMPACT on college admissions. All projects listed are ones that can be made into long-term commitments. Encourage your student to start small, get early wins, and build service opportunities from there.