My D and six friends, inspired by Malala Yousafza, started an organization to help raise money and awareness for girl’s education in developing countries. They started in 8th grade and have worked with girls from a different country each year. They’ve helped support about 1,200 girls in their target countries.
The furthest thing on their minds when they started the org was college apps, but here we are, four years later, my D is applying to some very selective schools, it’s on her app and mentioned in her essay. Her stats are 4.0unw, 8 aps, 33 act and as a proud but biased parent, I think “good stats, this looks great, who wouldn’t admit her!”.
But stepping back a little, I’m guessing a lot of kids applying to these schools will have accomplished much more and it’s probably just a small, positive bump.
It’s a nice EC that’s been running for a while. Be proud of her for the work she’s done for those girls. Let the chips fall where they may. I’m sure some school will really like it.
Would she have made any other choices if she knew this wouldn’t help that much? I hope not, that she’s happy with her work and contribution. I think it will be fine, that not every application has a Nobel prize on it.
Selective colleges can also look for what she did for the needs or issues at home, in her own community. Don’t worry so much about other applicants who could have done the same projects, but more about this service balance her own app and including how she rolled up her sleeves locally.
When people ask about community service and other extra-curricular activities, I’m inclined to say that something like this will not necessarily get your daughter into her first-choice college (you have to actually BE Malala Youssafzai for that), but the absence of meaningful extracurricular activities will harm applicants to the most selective schools. Admissions committees have thousands of highly-qualified, high-stat applicants to consider. They want students who have the academic chops, but who will also contribute to the community and show dedication, resourcefulness, and initiative. This won’t necessarily get her in, but it will - along with her grades and scores - show that she’s worthy of consideration. The most elite colleges can pick and choose among the best students; they don’t have to admit the ones who will simply hide in their rooms or the library.
IMO it is a very meaningful and nice EC especially since it has been up and running for some time. Kudos to your D and her friends. But at the top schools your D will be in the mix with many others who also have accomplished a good deal. As I tell everyone she should apply to a good mix of reach, match and safety schools that appear affordable and that she would be happy to attend.