Below are some helpful tips for customizing your Civic Transcript and setting yourself apart.
 

1. In your Personal Legacy, make sure to explain your Passion and how you worked to fuel your passion through volunteering regularly or creating and sustainable project. Include your accomplishments and results. Colleges want to see the results and accomplishments of your volunteer work, not just the hours you volunteered. Remember to be specific in describing accomplishments, don’t just say that you helped raise money for a charity but explain how you did it, how much you earned, and how successful you were.

   For example: Through my volunteer work at the YMCA, I tutored younger students on the importance of seatbelt safety. At the beginning of the session, only 4 out of 10 students said that they always use seat belts. By the end of three-week program, all 10 students were using seat belts on a consistent basis.

2. Try not to use general phrases, remember this is YOUR Civic Legacy and you are showcasing your accomplishments.

   For example: I am passionate about helping the environment. Through my volunteer work, I helped to build a “Farm to School” garden at Alpharetta High School. Through this program, we addressed the issues of nutrition, hunger, environmental stewardship and community agriculture. Today, students enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden.

3. Remember to include any recognition from a nonprofit, this shows your commitment and dedication to your passion.

   For example: GivingPoint awarded me with the Platinum Service Award for my volunteer leadership and commitment to overseeing the “Farm to School” program at Alpharetta High.

 
Tips for Setting Yourself Apart in College Applications
 

• Admissions Counselors are looking for quality over quantity. They want to see that you have volunteered regularly, lead projects, and/or worked closely with one charity or organization that you are passionate about. Find a place where you like to volunteer, whether it’s the zoo or an after school tutoring program, and stick with it.
• Simply stating “I volunteered at the Food Bank twice a month” says very little to college Admission Counselors. When explaining your community service, make sure to emphasize what you learned and/or accomplished while volunteering. Being specific shows colleges that you were dedicated to what you did throughout high school and didn’t volunteer simply because it was required or your mother told you to.
• While it is tempting to list every time you have volunteered in your high school career, that will not stick out on a college application. Instead, focus in on your passion, like homelessness, and explain why that was important to you, what you accomplished, and most importantly what you learned. When you have found a cause that is really important to you, your passion and dedication will come across in your writing.
  For example: Every night in the United States more than 750,000 people experience homelessness. I care about helping these people. Through my work at the Urban Center, I lead a clothing and blanket drive, which helped to cloth 150 children and provide 200 blankets for their beds in the shelter. Through this experience, I discovered a gift for reaching out and connecting with others in need. I now plan to get a Masters degree in social work.