We all know that college admissions is a competitive
world. With many of the selective schools having their pick of students, every
part of an applicant is reviewed, and just one aspect of the applicant can
potentially make the student stand-out among his peers. Colleges take a
holistic approach during the admissions process, considering the academic and
personal characteristics of the applicant (i.e. academic record, standardized
test scores, résumé, essay, recommendations etc.) All of these pieces of the
college application puzzle are essential, but the one I want to showcase today
is the résumé; and more importantly, community service as a part of the résumé.
Community service and volunteering are obviously
very important to take part in to help others who may be less fortunate or to
help a good cause. It doesn’t hurt that it can also look very good on the
college application. There are hundreds of ways to help out in the community
and every little bit counts. However, I would suggest pushing yourself when it
comes to community service. Take part in something that requires more of your
time and gives you the chance to organize and lead. For example, starting your
own community service project will show colleges not only that you are a caring
and giving person, but that you are ambitious, have leadership skills, and so
much more. All of these attributes will impress admissions counselors and will
translate well to how you may perform at the college level. I urge everyone to
use their imagination with this, and a great place to start could be an
organization called Team Fox. This is a volunteer fundraising
program that directly supports the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s
Research. Anyone can become a member of Team Fox, and you can create your own
fundraising project based on your own interests and using any means necessary.
I think this is a great organization because you are helping an important cause
in ending Parkinson’s disease. However, you are allowed the freedom to create
whatever type of fundraising effort to help raise money.
Take a look at the Team Fox page (www.teamfox.org)
and feel free to get started right away. This is just one suggestion, but
hopefully it gets your creative
juices flowing. A unique community service role will not only help society
become a better place, but it will certainly help all types of applicants to stand-out in
the college application process. Every little bit counts, so get out there and
become an agent of change!
Joseph D.
Korfmacher, MA