Great article from Doorway to College:
Why Volunteering Matters for the College Admissions Process
The competition for admission to most four-year colleges is fierce and getting tougher each year. High school students feel intense pressure to make themselves stand out against all the other applications on the desks of college admissions officers.If your student is debating whether or not to start doing volunteer work, here are some compelling reasons to get involved.
It Can Distinguish You from the Pack
As competition intensifies among college applicants, good grades and varsity sports are simply not enough to make your student stand out. By building up an impressive resume of volunteering activities, your student has a chance to really shine against the competition.Colleges want well-rounded students who are upstanding citizens and give back to the community. These characteristics are difficult to ascertain from a paper application, but college admissions officers have realized that volunteerism is a good indicator of the types of individuals they'd like in their student body.
Of course, volunteerism isn’t a new thing on college applications. To stand out from the pack, look for opportunities to take a leadership role in the organization you are volunteering with. For example, instead of just participating in a walk-a-thon, offer to help with publicity or with organizing volunteers. Some organizations seek out young voices for their leadership boards; ask around about such opportunities. Local nonprofit leaders, particularly with umbrella organizations such as the United Way, are often well connected in the nonprofit community and can help you find opportunities to lend a hand. If no organization related to your cause exists in your community, start your own!
It's Now Viewed as a Standard Part of College Applications
Because of the increasing competition, more and more college application features that were once optional are now considered standard. Extracurricular activities have made that transition, and volunteering is joining the ranks. In other words, not volunteering may exclude otherwise stellar candidates from being accepted.It's a Good Way to Showcase Priorities and Goals
If you think about it, high school volunteerism is a form of college prep. Volunteering instills a sense of giving and community in students, which should last throughout their academic careers and personal lives.It's not easy to make your personality, goals, or priorities shine on a college application. The right volunteer experience, however, speaks for you. It's clear that you're dedicated and selfless in volunteering your time, but the organizations you choose also speak volumes about what matters to you.
Though it's rare (and not necessarily essential), high school students who know their career goals should choose volunteer activities that align with those goals. If you'd like to be a pediatrician, volunteer at children's hospitals. If you think you'd like to be an environmentalist, organize events for 360.org or the Sierra Club. If you’d like to be a structural engineer or interior designer, build a home with Habitat for Humanity. If you think veterinary school is in your future, head down to your local animal shelter. There are countless charitable community organizations, and they're always looking for volunteers. To find volunteer opportunities in your area that are related to your interests, visit www.volunteermatch.org.
It Provides Something Intriguing and Personal to Write About
The college essay is often the standout factor that leads to college acceptance or rejection. Stories are always floating around about how the college essay was the "clincher" in securing a spot at a certain university. But what topic should you choose? How do you show the college admissions officers how spectacular you are and why you'd be such an excellent addition to their esteemed institutions?Volunteer experiences and the lessons you've learned are excellent topics for a college essay. If you dedicate your time and effort to volunteer organizations, you may be rewarded with a compelling application essay topic.
It Shows Dedication and Commitment
When you choose an organization or cause, stick with it. According to a Do Something survey that questioned college admissions officers from 32 of the country's top universities, 92 percent are more impressed with a candidate who spends four years volunteering at a single organization than with one who commits only a short period of time to a one-off project.Of course, if you have a wide range of interests and you want to help your community, it's better to have a laundry list of volunteer activities than to have none at all. Just try to dedicate most of your time and effort to the ones you're most interested in or the ones that align best with your intended college major and career goals. Or try turning brief projects into long-term commitments to bridge the gap between the two.
The college admissions process can be nerve-wracking, and you never know what the person looking at your college application is thinking. All you have at your disposal are your own talents, your own goals, and the ways you spend your time. As the college admissions process becomes more and more competitive, it’s essential that students branch out and give back to their communities.
Volunteering shouldn't be a last-ditch effort right before college application season, either. Even middle school students should consider getting involved in volunteer activities. The longer you're involved with an organization, and the greater role you play in their efforts to create a better world, the more impressive your college application looks.
Of course, your main motivation to volunteer shouldn’t just be all about you. Service, by definition, is about focusing on the needs of others. Most nonprofits can use volunteer help, and you may have just the skills they need. When seeking volunteer opportunities, look for places where genuine need intersects with your own skills and interests. A volunteer experience can be as valuable a learning opportunity as time spent in the classroom, and the benefits — for yourself and others — can reach far into the future.
Interested in learning more about college admissions and how to make your application stand out from the competition? We have the expertise to show you how. Give us a call at 877.927.8378 to speak with an expert.
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