What kind of volunteer work looks best on a college application?

The best kind of volunteer work is the kind you actually care about. Admissions officers can smell a “checkbox” activity from a mile away. So instead of forcing yourself to do something just because it sounds impressive, pick something that genuinely excites you. Love animals? Go all in at your local shelter. Obsessed with climate change? Join a cleanup crew or start a recycling campaign. It’s less about what you do and more about why you do it and how you’ve made an impact. Bonus points if you’ve stuck with it for a while or taken on a leadership role. Passion plus purpose beats prestige every time. So do good, be real, and colleges will take notice.