Community Service

Nanchito-1-1

Hi all,

So I want to spiff up my resume a bit and do some community service around my city on the weekends. I've decided on Habitat for Humanity. I basically just signed up and can choose any day im available (mostly Sats because I work full-time). It's surprisingly easy.

How often should I do it?
How long do I have to do it before I can actually put it on my resume?
Should I get proof of volunteering and send it with my apps to law school?

Nanchito-1-1

Can you tell i've never done this before?

ay_fegetaboutit

You should do it if you feel like you are helping out and it is rewarding. Don't volunteer for a line on your resume. Law schools couldn't care less if/where/how long you volunteered.

Sprinkles

@"ay_fegetaboutit" said:
You should do it if you feel like you are helping out and it is rewarding. Don't volunteer for a line on your resume. Law schools couldn't care less if/where/how long you volunteered.

True and there's no need for proof of volunteering

Alex

@nanchito I agree with the posts above. @david.busis mentioned this morning on another post that admissions care less about what and more so how long. So don't do it just for a line on the resume, but I have a feeling from seeing your posts on this board you actually care and want to volunteer.

I think once you've done it more than once you can put it on your resume. Heck, you could even throw it on there after one week, although I am not sure about the ethics behind that idea, so my best advice is to do what you feel is right. Similarly I was doing volunteer work and grappled with the notion of putting it on my resume immediately vs. waiting. It was something I knew I as going to be doing for 6+ months, so I added it after 6 weeks or something. But that is only because it is when I felt comfortable adding it.

How often should you do it?

I guess whenever your heart desires. I you want to put it on your resume, I think 1-2x a month is adequate.

Nanchito-1-1

@ay_fegetaboutit I could think of a bunch of reasons why I want to do it.

@"Alex Divine" thanks for the info.

MrSamIam

Have you taken the LSAT yet? If so, are you happy with your score? If not, your primary focus should be on getting that score up.
That said, I volunteer at a place where I work with children with disabilities. I probably go once a week for a few hours each day.

Nanchito-1-1

@MrSamIam Yes, no, not yet. My primary focus is definitely the lsat. I'm not going to go hard, it's one day a week lol.Thanks for your input.

stepharizona

@"Alex Divine" said:
mentioned this morning on another post that admissions care less about what and more so how long.

Actually it was the opposite. He said:

@david.busis said:
The general rule for sorts, whether or not you're a NTD, is that WHAT you do matters a whole lot more than, well, how long and hard you do it. Sorry I just made that sound gross. Admissions officers are looking to see signs of committment and leadership.

So yes, go for the volunteering, as that is a what, and even though its a short time that wont matter.

Alex

@stepharizona My bad, I completely wrote that wrong, lol. I'm glad you caught it though.

inactive

Habitat for Humanity is where I volunteered for a few years myself! Good choice.

David Busis

@stepharizona @"Alex Divine" Oh no! I meant to write that what you do matters LESS than how long and hard you do it, not more. @AlexDivine, you managed to see what I meant. @stepharizona, sorry about that!

Cant Get Right

I’m going to look like a real asshole if I’m a no show at all these charity events I just signed up for.

That’s such a funny situation, I wish it were true, lol.