At the Academy, high school students are required to volunteer 20 hours a year due to its importance for college applications. This makes students wonder where to seek support for meaningful opportunities and guidance on the volunteer-hour submission process.
Students can search for opportunities and submit their volunteering hours on a website called x2VOL.com. This website keeps track of high school students’ volunteering hours.
A student may also attempt to volunteer for more hours than required by the school. College guidance counselor, Ms. Nusayba Ayoub says, “The more volunteer opportunities, the better. Colleges love to see different volunteer opportunities that you have been a part of.” This helps distinguish you from other applicants’ chances of getting into university.
According to many different organizations, volunteering helps build up a strong work ethic, more commitment, and better communication skills.
These volunteering hours are mandated to enhance a student’s high school resume and to increase a student’s chance of getting accepted into top universities of their choice.
An article posted on usnews.com reports by Cole Claybourn states, “Volunteering presents a tangible way for students to make a positive impact in their community and help organizations accomplish their missions, all while bolstering students’ resumes for college applications and jobs.” This helps students who are preparing for college to increase their chances at getting scholarships, and getting accepted into higher levels of education.
Many organizations offer volunteer opportunities, such as public libraries, food pantries, mosques, etc. So then which volunteering fields appeals to colleges? Well, according to Ms. Ayoub, “Community service, and how you give back to your community, as well as diverse volunteer opportunities.”
