So I currently drive a car that is about 10 years old with 200,000 miles. My parents offered to buy me a very nice brand new car or I could go on a service trip this summer. I’m tempted to take the car because it would be nice to have a good car to use when I graduate college/in college and I know that the car that I have now won’t make it much further. The service trip is a lot less expensive, but they said I could only pick one. On the other hand going on the trip to Kenya would be a great experience and something to put on college apps( this is not just another little service thing where you go hammer some logs and say you built a house). Its 35 days working on water purification 8 hours a day. I also don’t have a ton of extra ECs so this would help. So what would you pick? My parents don’t usually give me any handouts/ I have to work for everything so maybe this would be a good opportunity to take the car? I was thinking about trying to raise the service trip money myself but it’s three months away and thousands of dollars so wouldn’t have time.
Bump. I know this seems stupid but I need help!
Would you go on the service trip if you couldn’t put it on your college apps? Doing an EC just to put it on a college app is a waste of time but in your case it would be a waste of several thousand dollars too. Try to figure out if you are really doing this for the “great experience” or just for college apps. Based on everything I’ve read on CC, service trips are the most cliche essays and admissions officers won’t be blown away by it because they are usually glorified vacations and something mostly people with money do. But this is just my opinion and it is ultimately your choice. This is a pretty pricey decision, so really think about it.
I would choose the car and use it to drive to community service organizations in your own community.
@class0f2017 I’m doing it for the experience for sure. Their is another aspect of the trip, which I don’t want to disclose because I feel like people would easily figure out who I am, but let’s just say it is more dimensional then just service and involves African sports. Sorry this is kinda weirdly vague, but thanks for your help! It’s a tough choice, also I don’t intended to write any essays on it.
I’d get the car which you can have for another decade or so. You can find meaningful volunteering experiences close to home. Your comments about why you might prefer the trip (African sports?) are so vague that I don’t see how anyone can take them into account in offering an opinion.
I would also say choose the car. Not having to worry about transportation for the next ten years is huge.
Then look for service opportunities near home.
I find it hard to believe that colleges would think serving your own community is less valuable than serving another country.
My “vote” goes with the car for the reasons already stated…
I think this is your parents way of telling you they really don’t want you to go to Africa. Take the car and make everyone happy.
I’ll be a contrarian. I say the service trip. Yes, we make fun of students who go on these expensive trips paid for by their parents. But this sounds like a wealthy student who could use 35 days in an impoverished part of Africa to expand his world view. But don’t write your essays on it. Heck, you don’t need a car I college. Neither of my kids had them. D age 26 still doesn’t, lives in a city with great transit and difficult parking.
I’m a huge proponent of community service and, to me, this is an absolute “no brainier”. Take the car and then roll up your sleeves and serve your community closer to home.
Yes… but WILL the OP do that? Or just take the car? OP, can you compromise – ask your parents if they will buy you a used car instead of a new one? Maybe something with a lot less miles than your current car, but not brand new?
@sherpa @intparent I actually already have 400+ hours of service since starting high school and it’s something I actually really like. I think I will take the trip then see if I can get the car as a graduation gift.
Why a brand new car? A two or three year old car that is in excellent shape would be a lot cheaper, but would still give you many years of use.
^^ This. Negotiate a compromise with a used car and the service trip, especially if the trip is far less expensive. That’s what I would do.
Because some people don’t buy used cars, period. We are among those people.
@Pizzagirl I’m not. My first car was 7 years old when I got it. I also hit a million things so I was grateful I wasn’t driving a new car. Parents aren’t going for the used car thing. I think I’m going to take the trip because I only have a year left of high school and won’t bring my car to college. My mom also said she would buy me a car when I graduate college/ in my last 2 years. I bet many of you think this is stupid to pass this up, but I just don’t care enough about material things I guess…and now I just got the opportunity to get emt certified or take the trip. Equally hard choice ugh
Pshah. Why would any adcom think this is a noble activity, requiring the skills of an American HS kid but beyond those of any local kid or adult? You want to make the world a better place, volunteer in your community. Unfortunately they probably will want more than a 1 month commitment, and it isn’t going to be like this trip which (as you say) “would be a great experience”
So if you want the “great experience” and prefer it over the car, take the trip. Just don’t count on it being a boost in college admissions.
First world problem. I can’t imagine buying a teenager a new car.
In my view, volunteering is one thing; “volun-touring” is entirely different.