<p>Something that I can do that will benefit others or some sort of work. Also, what programs/volunteer work do colleges like? Is something like volunteering at the library impressive to the colleges? Or could I somehow apply some talents for some sort of job? Also not something that takes up a huge chunk of time unless it’s a program that provides experience for a possible future career since I am studying for the SAT over the summer rigorously. Give me your insights please.</p>
<p>Camps often need program aids. Take a look at what camps are offered locally. My daughter helped out at an archeology camp that was offered by the local community college. My son is doing training to be a camp counselor this year which is volunteer work and with any luck, next year he will have a camp JOB. My daughter also helped out at one of the public middle schools in a program that helped lower ability kids retain their math skills over the summer (that work also fulfilled her school’s service requirement).</p>
<p>Camps are nice for volunteer work because you can do something that is of interest to you and often they just take a week or two and not your entire summer. However, do what is of interest to you, not what you “think will look good” to someone else.</p>
<p>Here’s my first tip:
DON’T DO VOLUNTEER WORK OR PARTICIPATE IN A SUMMER CAMP JUST TO GET INTO A COLLEGE OR MAKE YOURSELF SEEM BETTER ON PAPER.
Admissions officers will see right through your act. I know it seems impossible, but they’re admissions officers. They’re trained to do this kind of stuff.
I’m not saying not to do volunteer work AT ALL. Do it, but make sure the reason why you want to do it is to either make life easier for others (like working at a library) or to actually be able to help someone in need (working at a charity store or something.) Do something you’re passionate about. When you volunteer, you want to have fun while doing it, so you might as well try to find a place to volunteer where it’s kind of ‘connected’ to what you aspire to be, or what you’re interested in. For example, if you want to become a doctor or are interested in medicine, then you’d volunteer at a hospital, or you could even go to an elderly home and understand more about diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
If you’re interested in the Arts, then you should work at an art gallery or a museum or something. You could also volunteer to make props or something backstage for some play that your town might have.
Interested in sports? Go help out at a kids’ camp! They have way too many of those! Just kidding. But cities everywhere offer lots of camps for young kids, and I’m sure a lot of them would appreciate volunteers.</p>
<p>My point is, don’t do something that doesn’t interest you. Do something that motivates you and makes you want to work harder. Unfortunately, I don’t even know your interests and I’m not all that great with camps, so I can’t be specific and really help you. But do take my advice to heart - do things that interest you, make sure your work isn’t all work. You should be having fun, too.</p>
<p>I dunno haha. I would like volunteering at the library because I like working in quiet environments and I feel like I’m helping and am not totally useless in the community haha</p>
<p>Our libraries need lots of summer volunteers because of the summer reading program the library system runs. If that is what you enjoy, that is what you should do.</p>
<p>the only problem with that is the flawed thinking of today’s society… Colleges are looking for those who volunteer in leadership jobs and camps or those who do more sophisticated work. So those people are better than I am supposedly. I take many classes over the summer, so I clearly don’t have time for any of that.</p>
<p>Library is a great place. I’m in twelfth grade and i think it’s great. It’s quite and shelving books can get tedious at times. but i get so many hours done. I only signed up and on the same day i started</p>
<p>Do something that relates to your areas of interest. My eldest D has been a competitive swimmer since age 10. At 13, she volunteered to teach swim lessons for her swim club as a way to “give back.” Turned into a paid position when she turned 15, now she is the most senior staff member for the club. She took lifeguarding course when she turned 16 (the earliest she could), and guarded occassionally for the club. She was hired by the county as a lifeguard last summer ($$$$$$$$), and is back again this summer (more $$$$$$$$). </p>
<p>FYI: This history of developing a job from volunteering, and taking on the added responsibility as a lifeguard was one of the bigger reasons she won a coveted scholarship at her university - along with long history of involvement in regional symphony group, good grades/test scores and long term commitment to athletics. </p>
<p>Schools want to see that you are doing things for a reason, not just padding a resume. And having and keeping a job long term seems to be more attractive to admissions these days than your paid participation in a summer program.</p>