The Impact of High School Volunteering

Hey everyone, I've been doing a ton of volunteer work during high school; way more than most of my friends. Is there like a 'most volunteer hours' threshold that colleges look for, or will my commitment stand out regardless?

Hello! The value of your volunteer work in the eyes of college admissions isn't determined merely by the sheer number of hours you've put in, but more importantly, the impact and connection of that work to your broader interests and ambitions.

When it comes to volunteering during high school, colleges are looking for a few key things. First, they admire consistency and commitment, so a long-term volunteer role with a significant impact within an organization will stand out more than brief stints at a bunch of different places.

Second, having a volunteer role that matches your intended major or field of interest can underscore your passion for that area. For example, if you're interested in a career in healthcare and you've done numerous hours volunteering in a hospital or clinic, that says a lot about your commitment to your intended field.

Lastly, taking on leadership roles or initiating projects within your volunteer work can further elevate your commitment. This highlights your ability to effect change and your willingness to take responsibility in a project or organization—traits that colleges value in prospective students.

For instance, if you've volunteered at an animal shelter and later started your own initiative to get more community involvement, or organized fundraisers to help with operating costs, that would be much more influential than simply noting a high number of volunteer hours.

So do keep volunteering, but remember, it's about more than just racking up hours. It's about showing commitment, passion, and leadership.