How much would it hurt if you don't do volunteer works?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey people, </p>

<p>as we all know, ECs are really really important for college admission. that’s prob the reason why that we all fuss about what we do afterschool and etc and etc. </p>

<p>But how important is volunteering actually? In my case, I do almost everything except volunteering. It’s not like I have no hours, but it is not the significant part. </p>

<p>For example, I was secretary-general in an international MUN conference, several leading roles in school productions, directing / set designing for school plays, represented Thailand at IIYMS (Irmas International Youth Media Summit) where teenagers from 40 diff countries congregated to advocate 7 important issues, co-cap. of JV Basketball team, play piano, clarinet, traditional korean instrument… etc etc</p>

<p>If you do MUN and drama, you will understand how that eats up your time like a sponge soaks up water. When you get home at about 6pm, you eat, shower and do hw and it is 11pm. Weekends are pretty busy too. </p>

<p>At my school, there are volunteer org. but I found them really superficial so I didn’t join them. The org. revived last year or so, but I simply had NO time to join it. </p>

<p>I was thinking about joining now, but wouldn’t that seem like I am just doing it to make myself look good on college app? But if I don’t do it, doesn’t that make me look like i don’t care for other people?</p>

<p>It is really tricky; i could sell myself as an uncaring person or a superficial college app. candidate. </p>

<p>So, what do you suggest? Should people kill themselves for more volunteer works?</p>

2

<p>I suggest you do what you want…another extra curricular isn’t really going to matter much. You’ll get much more out of your volunteer work if you do something YOU want to do. If you don’t want to be there, you’re just going to be miserable and bring everyone down. If you want to join it, join. If you don’t, then don’t. Don’t base college on it that much because something that small most likely won’t factor in too much with all of your other extras.</p>

3

<p>During highschool I did very little volunteer work, and, when it came down to it, it really wasn’t enough to put down on my college app. I did a ton of other EC’s, though, and I was accepted ED to Tufts.</p>

4

<p>my guidance counselor swears by it, but personally, i think it is no better or worse than a regular EC</p>

5

<p>Volunteering is overrated.</p>

6

<p>It hurts for the schools that are using point system such as UCSD and UCD. However for scholarships, volunteer hours help tremendously.</p>

7

<p>an admissions rep from columbia told me, and i quote, “we’re looking for kids to bring passion into doing whatever gets them out of bed in the morning. if volunteering is what gets you out of bed and all riled up, then by all means do it.” she went on to say on the other hand, if something else is your passion, then you should pursue that more intently than volunteering just to “look good” for admissions.</p>

8

<p>Do something you are passionate about and you’ll be fine.</p>

9

<p>So, if my son is passionate about gaming and Magic, that counts? How is that truly any less valuable than being passionate about glee club?</p>

10

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<p>Is he passionate enough to write games? ;)</p>

11

<p>thanks for your opinions! i really appreciate them :)</p>

12

<p>Someone on here applied… somewhere… and mentioned his national Pokemon card game awards. I don’t see why not.</p>

13

<p>Im pretty passionate about lying on a beach and relaxing. Does that count? :P</p>

14

<p>You should do a little bit, to how colleges you’re a good community person, but isn’t volunteering required for graduation? if you did NO work, it would hurt alot cuz then you won’t graduate.</p>

15

<p>Some schools don’t require volunteering for graduation.</p>