What counts as community activities for college applications?

I'm working on my college app and they ask about community activities. What types of things count? Do they mean organized clubs or can it include informal stuff like volunteering at local events? I'm not sure what I should list.

Community activities refer to a wide spectrum of engagements which serve your local community. This could definitely include formal instances such as involvement in a community club, an organization, or local government roles. But it also absolutely embraces informal contributions - for instance, offering your time at local events, food drives, or helping to clean local parks, among others.

Remember that the goal of listing community activities in your application is to show colleges your level of engagement outside the academic sphere, your ability to connect with others, and how you contribute positively to your community. So when listing these activities, try to include information that reflects both the duration and depth of your involvement. For example, mention leadership roles you took on or any achievements you accomplished through your community services.

Just keep in mind that quality trumps quantity in this case - having a deep and ongoing involvement in a few activities where you demonstrate commitment and leadership can be more impactful than a long list of one-time events. Good luck!