It’s pretty common knowledge that volunteerism is looked upon as an important facet of your college application. More importantly, it should be looked upon as an integral part of your life. Since the summer is upon us, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll be doing with all your extra time. Some of these projects are great to start in the summer and then launch an organization in your school in the fall, which translates to leadership qualities on your application.

Remember: colleges are looking for consistency, passion, and accomplishment. Don’t wait to cram in hours. Now get out there and do some good!

• 826 Valencia (San Francisco), 826 NYC (Brooklyn):  While most of the staff at the Ridiculously Cool writing workshops are professionals/adults, they are always in need of computers and you could raise some funds or collect donations. If you’re unfamiliar with the 826 thing, you’ve got to check it out. It’s Dave Eggers’ pet project and the tutoring is done at a Pirate Supply Store and a Superhero Store. Seriously. Cool.
• American Red Cross: Blood drives, saving lives.
• America’s Promise Alliance – Young Leaders: Colon Powell’s organization that prepares kids for “college, work, and life.”
• Animal Shelters: Google your local animal shelter and see if they need volunteers. Even better, create a fundraiser to benefit a pet adoption program.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters: One of my students had a “little” and wrote passionately about the experience in her applications.
• City Harvest: The coolest program that feeds the homeless in NYC.
• Girls Learn International: GLI is is a great organization that partners girls clubs in schools with schools for girls in developing countries. The effect of education on the life of a woman is radical. I’m a big fan of this organization. Sponsor a club in your school!
• Habitat for Humanity: Everyone loves Habitat. Sometimes they are actually overloaded with volunteers, though, because they are so popular. Nevertheless, if you’re interested in design or architecture or urban planning, this would be a great cause for you.
• Idealist: This is another gigantic resource for volunteer projects if you’re looking beyond the scope of my list.
• International Cultural Youth Exchange: Travel abroad. Volunteer. Cool.
• Invisible Children: I LOVE THIS PROJECT and avidly support them. You will love their website. Get the video, get your friends together, watch it, and Get Moving. Please.
• Knit for Kids: Crafty? Make sweaters for kids. (And btw, good for you, because you probably have an outstanding attention span, which is a huge advantage on tests.)
• Oxfam International: Huge international organization fighting poverty and injustice. Heroic.
• Reading Partners: LA, Sacramento, and Bay Area reading help for elementary students.
• Ronald McDonald House: RMH provides housing close to medical facilities for families of hospitalized people and others in long term treatment at centers far from their homes. (Think about the hotel bill to stay somewhere for months at time, then volunteer to help.)
• ServeNet: Another site to sort through opportunities.
• Sierra Club: “The Club is America’s oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization.” Get green.
• Special Olympics: Athletes! Get ready to play the most important game you may ever play and have more fun than you can imagine.
• Volunteer Match: The Salvation Army and other huge organizations use Volunteer Match; it’s another Monster.com of volunteerism.

PLEASE ADD COMMENTS MENTIONING YOUR FAVORITE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS THAT I MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED.