Each month contains a Q&A section of issues that parents and students like you regularly encounter.  Below are 2 actual questions from a previous issue.

Q: How will extracurricular activities fit into the college application mix?

A: First it’s important to understand WHY extracurricular activities are important to colleges.  It’s not simply finding the most active students because they’ve done more and are hence better applicants.  Colleges are communities.  They want students who will enhance the sense of community on their campus, and hence they look for students who can make a valuable contribution.

Building a community can be done in a host of different ways. I have worked with several students who are passionate about recycling and they have engaged in several activities that support this cause.  We all know athletes who eat, sleep and breath their sport.  Not only do they play on one or more teams, but they volunteer to coach or referee younger kids, they work at camps over the summer (as well as participating in them), some have even done fundraisers to help financially strapped students participate in a sport that might otherwise be cost prohibitive.
The point here is that you don’t need a tremendous breadth of activities (i.e., a smattering across a broad spectrum), instead, have a couple that show depth in an area about which you’re passionate.  This helps paint a picture of you for colleges and lets them know what you bring to their school. 

How you participate is as important as what activities you choose.  So, let’s say you’re in Key Club or another community service organization.  Are you just a member who shows up on occasion and does only what you’re asked, or do you take a leadership role?  Leadership doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re president or treasurer of the organization.  Leadership can come in many forms. Wouldn’t it be great to tell a college that, not only are you a 3 year member of Key Club, but that you’ve taken responsibility for an event that raises money for a local food bank? From your description of your work and your time commitment, you can convey the sincerity of your contribution.

Q: Is community service important if I have other activities on my resume?
A: I’ll tell you why I think some volunteering is so vital.  I think it’s important to show that you see the world outside of yourself and that you care about the world in which you live.  Again, pick something you enjoy and share your talent...wouldn’t the world be just a little better off? 

There is no “right” number of hours to contribute.  Do what you can.  Show effort and, if possible, some consistency.  Be able to talk about what you’ve contributed to and what you’ve learned from your experiences.