Do middle school community service hours count for college apps?

I've done a lot of community service since middle school, but I'm not sure if that early work will be relevant. Do colleges care about hours from that long ago, or should I focus on high school activities?

While it is commendable that you have engaged in community service since middle school, colleges usually only consider your activities from high school when making admissions decisions. This is generally because they want to see your most recent involvements and how they have shaped you.

Instead of detailing every hour from middle school, you might want to focus on the skills, interests, or passions that have been cultivated through these service experiences and how they have been relevant or further developed in high school. That way, you reap the benefits of your long-term commitment without focusing on the middle school timeline per se. Remember that the depth of involvement in community service and its impact on you are more significant than the mere number of hours completed.

Also, it's vital to stay involved in your community during high school. Continued service affirms your commitment over time and allows admissions officers to see a consistent theme or values in your activities. For instance, if you've been helping at a local soup kitchen since middle school, don't stop just because the earlier hours won't count. Maintain that service in high school as a representation of your sustained dedication to helping your community. This will be more impactful in showing colleges who you are as an individual and your commitment to service.