How much does volunteering contribute to college admissions?

I've been volunteering at my local food bank and animal shelter regularly. I was wondering if this type of volunteer work helps with college admissions? Should I include such experiences in my application and, if so, how do I effectively present my volunteering experiences on my application?

Volunteering can be a valuable component of your college application as it showcases your commitment to community service and demonstrates personal qualities like empathy and responsibility. However, its impact on college admissions varies depending on the level of involvement, length of commitment, and overall context of your application.

When listing your volunteer experiences, instead of focusing on the number of hours, emphasize the impact you've had on these organizations. Mention specific responsibilities, accomplishments, and any leadership roles you took on during your time volunteering.

To effectively present your volunteering experiences on your application, consider the following strategies:

1. Include volunteering in the "Activities" section of your application - Detail your role, the time commitment, and any achievements during this experience. Remember, your goal is to show the value you brought to these organizations and how these experiences shaped you as a person.

2. Write about volunteering in a supplemental essay - If a college has an optional or required supplemental essay that asks about your extracurricular involvement or community service, this can be an opportunity to expand on your volunteering experiences and demonstrate how they have influenced your personal growth, values, or chosen academic or career path.

3. Obtain a letter of recommendation - If you developed a strong relationship with the supervisors or staff at the organizations where you volunteered, consider asking them to write a letter of recommendation. This can offer an outside perspective on your contributions and character.

4. Connect volunteering to your "spike" - If your volunteer work is related to a broader theme or area of expertise you're pursuing, you can leverage these experiences to strengthen the narrative of your spike (a highly-developed specialty that differentiates you from other applicants).

In summary, volunteering can contribute positively to your college application and help set you apart from other applicants. By emphasizing the impact of your volunteer work, presenting experiences effectively, and tying them into the larger theme of your application, you can demonstrate the valuable qualities you'll bring to a college community.