DO COLLEGES ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING?

When it comes to polishing up your qualities and activities in preparation for college applications, volunteer work tends to be sidelined in favor of the typical hard-hitters of GPA and the more obvious or impressive extracurriculars, like internships or research. The popular belief is that colleges are only interested in an applicant’s volunteer work to judge whether or not you’re a virtuous person with good character. Hard numbers and leadership roles seem to be more pressing traits to show colleges than personality traits.

However, this isn’t entirely the case, and volunteering isn’t merely about quantity like a high score in a video game. While every college considers volunteer work with a different level of importance, all of them do care about volunteer work—just not necessarily for the sole reason of judging an applicant’s personal qualities. So why exactly should you volunteer, and why do colleges care so much?

1. Civic participation shows that you’re action-oriented.

   It’s one thing to have good grades, and another to actually do things beyond what you’ve studied. Of course, many extracurriculars also lend themselves to showing that you’re an active member of society. But volunteering goes one step further; being willing to apply your knowledge to hands-on activities demonstrates your ability to step beyond the confines of your school and immediate community. So many high-achieving students remain in their leadership roles in school clubs, but rarely go beyond the bubble of their personal life. Volunteer work is a prime chance for you to show your desire to impact the real world with what you’ve learned, and colleges definitely want to see their students bring that generosity to the college campus.

2. It can prove to colleges that you’re really passionate about something. 

   Volunteer work shows colleges more than just your character; it shows colleges what truly engages you, and how you pursue it in the community. And for them to see this effectively, not just any kind of general volunteer work will do. Find volunteer work that is connected to your own interests. If you’re a hopeful pre-med, for example, you could volunteer at a hospital, or if you love music, you could volunteer to teach lessons to kids—or even better, you could create your own community service-oriented work centered around your passion!

   Dabbling in tons of different volunteer services is far from morally wrong, but choosing a few volunteering opportunities and devoting much of your time to those individual ones will highlight your specific interests, whereas doing all kinds of general volunteer work will obscure them. This will convey your true passions to colleges, as well as your willingness to engage in those passions in the community. And of course, you’ll have much more fun throughout the experience!

3. It tells colleges you have time management skills.

   The life of a high school student is a busy one, and colleges know that well. So when you can juggle intense participation in extracurriculars, school life, and volunteer work—and still maintain good grades—colleges know you know how to be both productive and efficient with your time. It also indicates to colleges that you’re aware of your own limits, not overwhelming yourself with too many activities. This is another reason not to throw yourself into a ton of different volunteer opportunities; stretching your time and energy beyond what you’re capable of reveals poor time management, which colleges will see reflected in your performance in other activities.

4. Being a Good Samaritan is, well, good. 

   Though playing to the colleges’ interests is smart, it definitely shouldn’t be the only reason you volunteer at all. Ultimately, volunteering is The Right Thing to Do™, and many colleges value this principle alone. Student involvement in the local community will be present regardless of the college you go to, with student-led clubs, service days, and fundraisers. Giving back to the community betters our society—perhaps, more specifically, your community—and gives you opportunities to continue the cycle of community service to others. Volunteer work is also very satisfying and fulfilling for the same reason, making it beneficial for both the volunteer and the people helped!

So yes, colleges do actually care about volunteer work, and yes, you should definitely participate. If you choose the right volunteering opportunity, then it can be a lot of fun, even serving as a break from the rest of your arduous high school responsibilities. And, if you still remain unconvinced of the importance of volunteering in the eyes of college admissions, remember that volunteer work can only help you, both in your applications and in your growth as a person!