There’s no denying it: volunteer hours look fabulous on a college application! Not only is volunteering a great way to gain real-world, practical experience—the right volunteer work can REALLY impress the admissions department at the college or university of your choice.
Not all volunteering is created equally though, and there are a few things to keep in mind when searching for the right opportunity.
VOLUNTEER TIP #1: REMEMBER WHAT VOLUNTEERING IS ALL ABOUT
There are many people in this world to whom college is simply out of the question. This isn’t for a lack of intellect, or desire, or drive—this is often due to unfortunate circumstances that are well beyond their control. It’s important to remember the TRUE meaning of giving back.
Volunteering can be an INCREDIBLY rewarding and enlightening experience for a high school student—or ANYONE for that matter. It’s important to set the groundwork for a life well lived by learning the importance of charity and volunteer work early.
Whether that’s volunteering at a hospital, soup kitchen, a lab—it doesn’t matter. Volunteering is an opportunity to grow, and should be cherished.
VOLUNTEER TIP #2: DIAL IT BACK A LITTLE
Kids have a lot to worry about in high school without foisting 10 hours of drudgery on them every week. Between their social lives, their homework, their tests, their sports, their extra curriculars—there’s simply A LOT going on. If you find that you or your child dreads their volunteer experiences, maybe it’s time to take a step back.
While college admissions boards will certainly like to see that a student has volunteered—they’re not going to nitpick their hours. They want to see quality, not quantity. So ensure their volunteer schedule is manageable, and they may actually WANT to do the work.
VOLUNTEER TIP #3: MAKE SURE IT’S SOMETHING THEY ENJOY
Just because you want your child to get into med school someday, doesn’t mean they have to volunteer at a hospital. Sure, it may help at some point down the road—but there are tons of ways to gain real world experience that will translate to their future careers. Careers aren’t set in stone when a child is in high school, so make some room for them to explore what they love (while you gently guide them in the right direction). They’ll love you for it.
Volunteering is something that many people end up enjoying, because they find it rewarding and satisfying to help others without receiving any sort of compensation. These are the people who are often lifelong volunteers. Creating a lifelong volunteer begins with enjoyment, passion, and proper guidance.
