What to Do If Community Service Hours Are Low for College Applications?

I'm concerned that I don't have enough community service hours for my college applications. Are there any quick community service ideas that I could do to boost my application, even at this last minute?

While community service is an important part of a holistic admissions assessment, focus should be put on the quality and commitment to service, not just the total hours logged. High school students who are looking to boost their service hours at the last minute should ideally choose something they're genuinely interested in and can show long-term commitment to, despite it being something they're starting relatively late.

Consider organizing a small event in your community that's in line with your interests or things you're passionate about. For instance, you could host a charity run or walk for a cause close to your heart. Coordinate with local organizations to see if they would support your event. Or, consider tutoring or mentoring younger students. Schools, after-school programs, and community centers often need volunteers for these types of roles.

Digital volunteering is another effective way to contribute to numerous causes without the limitation of geographical location. This could range from online tutoring to creating content for non-profit organizations, to participating in online campaigns for awareness and fundraising.

However, it's important to remember that colleges want to see commitment and impact over time. If you've participated significantly in other activities (for instance, if you've been deeply involved in a sport or were a leader in a school club), and your lack of community service is simply because you were fully engaged elsewhere, that's okay! Keep in mind the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars: showing leadership, commitment, and impact is more important than simply accumulating hours.

Colleges will consider the whole picture of your involvement and impact. If you're concerned, you can address this in your essays by emphasizing your other strengths and commitments. Colleges are more interested in seeing how you've devoted your time and energy and made a difference, rather than simply checking off a box for community service.