<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My kid is not very athletic and I heard that that can be compensated by volunteering. Is that true? Do we need to provide certificate for volunteer work along with the college application form? If not, how would the colleges validate the volunteering info in the application? Appreciate your inputs.</p>
<p>Thanks
Sanramonparent</p>
<p>Any volunteer work can be verified by the organization worked for upon request, just as school ECs could be verified by his HS. I’m sure any meaningful volunteer work would show itself in his college essays somewhere. There must be other activities at his school besides the athletics for him to have something to do besides just schoolwork. Music, academic clubs, special interest clubs are usually available. During son’s HS years they had a “service learning”, aka volunteering, 12 hours over the 4 years requirement- that did not impact his applications like his club work did. Be sure he is joining activities because they interest him, not for the record.</p>
<p>Community activities abound–scouts, tutoring, church, junior achievement, school board, tobacco control groups, drama, choir, music, YMCA/YWCA, and so many others. I agree that the child should find something that resonates not “just to look good.”</p>