How would admissions officers perceive this activity?
I recently started volunteering with the website https://www.7cups.com/, where volunteer "listeners" complete a training session (at least 30 minutes) and then anonymously chat with and provide emotional support for people who want it. From what I know, this isn't entirely a common activity, so I'm not sure how college admissions officers would perceive it if I do put it on my applications. (For the record, I'm currently a junior.)
I feel like not all volunteer activities are made equal. For example, sometimes building houses in places like Africa can be viewed negatively, especially if it's done on a trip that costs a lot of money and involves more tourism than volunteer work. My question is whether 7 Cups would also fall into the category of potentially being viewed negatively, especially because there is a stigma around mental health and related issues.
I will probably continue volunteering with the site either way just because it's meaningful to me. But if it could hurt my chances of admission to top colleges (I'm hoping for at least one Ivy-level college), I'll just leave it off.
Earn karma by helping others:
1 answer
So what exactly are touring is it volunteering or is it more like unpaid work? Also are you interested in some sort of education or mental health major?
As I say it’s not the job that matters it’s what you do at the job that matters and the frequency. Anything over 1hr/week I’d wouldn’t auto-discard under is case by case. Is the responsibility simply busy work or are you like an employee? Ask yourself if it was a job would you be paid or would it just be “helping out?”
Hope this helps and feel free to comment if you’s like clarification as I’d be more than happy to help!
Community Guidelines
To keep this community safe and supportive:
- Be kind and respectful!
- Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
- Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!
It's entirely volunteer work - I'm not paid at all. I also spend more than an hour per week on the site, but I'm not sure how it fits with my other activities. I've always wanted to do a STEM-related major, but I don't really know specifics. I've also spent over a year trying to get a volunteer tutor position because it coincides with my interests, but every attempt just keeps fizzling out. I guess I just feel all over the place right now, if you get what I mean.