Can I count school-based service projects or required hours?

Absolutely, but there’s a catch. If it’s clear that you were forced to do it and didn’t take anything away from the experience, it really won’t help much. But if you turned a school requirement into a real commitment, well, maybe you kept volunteering long after your hours were done—that’s golden. The key is to show ownership and initiative. Did you go the extra mile? Did it inspire you to get involved elsewhere? Admissions officers are aware that many schools require service hours. They’re less interested in whether it was mandatory, and more curious about how you made it meaningful.