Volunteer vs. Community Service

Applying to College
1

<p>I have been volunteering at my old preschool for the past 3 years, which totals up to about 240+ hours. I am extremely passionate about working with children, especially the young children. </p>

<p>However, recently I have been informed that since the preschool is a private Montessori school, it cannot be considered as community service. I was devastated, needless to say, and as a senior, I am fretting about community service.</p>

<p>Do colleges want community service where students go to the hospitals and help sick people, etc., or will they be impressed with 3 years of volunteering at a private preschool?</p>

<p>And another question: is it too late for me to start community service? I know I can fit in about 50+ hours, but somehow it seems desperate to me, and I certainly don’t want colleges to think that I did community service out of desperation.</p>

2

<p>That’s just baloney. Your many hours of work at the Montessori school is both important and impressive. Your heartfelt dedication is far more impressive than anything “accomplished” by those who volunteer simply to create a “resume” that admissions officers will like. Believe me, these admissions folks can see right through that, and will just as easily see that you’ve followed your heart in working with children–whether at Montessori or an inner-city school. Don’t worry, drowniun.</p>

3

<p>put your experience at the preschool anyway. you volunteered there for 240 hours and that’s impressive.</p>

4

<p>Thank you so so much Hindoo and PKswmr76!!! You don’t know how relieved I am now, thanks to your words. I wish I could’ve contributed more to the community, but I feel a greater connection with these children, some of them whom are mentally disabled.</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

5

<p>What you’re doing is much more impressive than doing something like volunteering at the hospital, library, etc.</p>

6

<p>I would consider what you do community service just as much if not more than going to the library and hospital.</p>

7

<p>The Montessori school IS a part of your community, and you are a valuable asset to what they are trying to achieve. Stop worrying–the admissions folks will appreciate you.</p>

8

<p>volunteer and community to me is like the same thing. I think your situation is stupid. I wouldn’t worry about it. You helped there out of the kindess of your heart for free without giving money in return. Just put it down. It should be considered just the same.</p>

9

<p>I agree with all that posted. What colleges care about is that you pursued your interests , which is what you did. They don’t care about whether your school considers it volunteer work or community service.</p>

<p>If colleges will allow it, get a supplementary recommendation from the person who supervised you at the school. That could add a perspective to your application that wouldn’t be reflected by the GC and teacher recommendations.</p>

10

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<p>Who told you that? That’s a load of b.s.
I second those above me- what you do could be just as important/meaningful as other community service activities.</p>

11

<p>“I would consider what you do community service just as much if not more than going to the library and hospital.”
^well, it depends on the person. visiting people in a burn unit might be considered slightly more impressive.</p>

<p>nevertheless, your service is fine! i’d say that some of them were developmentally disabled, so they know you weren’t just eating snacks with the kids lol. but yeah, sure it counts! it would be especially impressive if you want to go into education, etc. best of luck in college admissions!</p>