Why is giving back to the community, as a volunteer somewhere, every bit as important as having volunteer.....

Question

EXPERIENCE on your college application?????

Answer 1

A college or university wants to see that you are self-motivated, that you are invested in your community or causes that are in line with your values, that you care for others, that you have first hand experience regarding an issue that is important to you, and that you can excel at non-academic activities. People who volunteer tend to be healthier, more able to navigate various non-academic situations, more empathetic and more respectful -- these are the kinds of qualities they want in students.

Those who haven't volunteered raise suspicions: do they have trouble socializing? Do they have a low sense of empathy? Would they help fellow students or just in it for themselves? Would they be an asset to student campus life?