It is common for parents and students alike to ask, “How many community service hours do I need to get into college?”  The answer: there is no magic number.  For community service, regardless of whether you dream of attending Stanford or any other college, the commitment and the significance of your community involvement far outweighs the sheer number of hours you spend volunteering.

There is no magic number when it comes to the number of hours you need to get into college.  Colleges will ask for how long you have been involved with an activity, how many hours per week you are involved with it, and the number of weeks per year.  That is it. 

Yet in a stack of 100,000 applications, the time spent volunteering does not paint a picture of why it matters to you, or more importantly, why it matters to an admissions officer.  To tell this story, expect to write an essay describing why the service matters and shapes your view of the world and your position in it.  Highlight what you learned in the activity and how it has influenced your perspective about your future plans.  If you were a leader in the activity, it is also beneficial to explore what you learn not only in terms of the outcome but also how you can increase your impact in society.  When admissions officers review your application, this is what they will be assessing—your ability to make a difference on their campus. 
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As this school year is in full swing, look for opportunities to make a difference and grow.  Focus just on the few activities that matter the most to you.  This will not only build your resume for college but, more importantly, provide you with the opportunity to learn about yourself and how you will contribute to society going forward.  

Goes way beyond just how to get into college.  As school is back in session we are faced with the reality, that applying to college, and high school in general is tough.  Whether it comes to applying to Stanford, the Ivy League, or schools that are less selective, this process rewards those who work hard and are not afraid of taking risks or not getting in.  It may be hard in the moment, but the skills you gain along the way are what will prepare you for what comes after school and ensure your long-term success. 
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My dad, forwarded an article by Courtney Connley featured on CNBC containing an interview with Suzy Welch of the legendary Jack Welch Management Institute.  It has been in line with his advice for my entire life.  I consider it a privilege to pass it on.   
 
Courtney Connley
CNBC - ‎Tuesday‎, ‎August‎ ‎14‎, ‎2018
The best way parents can set their kids up for career success
 
Bestselling management author and CNBC contributor Suzy Welch is often asked, "What's the number one thing parents can do to help their kids achieve career success?"

"That's a tough question," the mom of four millennials tells CNBC Make It. "And I can really only answer with what worked for me."

She says that like most kids, hers would sometimes "whine about the unfairness of life or how hard it was to make new friends at school or how much extra work it took to get an A instead of a B or a C."

Like many parents, she'd respond with lectures about hard work, discipline and perseverance. But Welch's lectures were always punctuated by a simple message that she says is key to helping kids understand the relationship between putting in extra effort and achieving your goals: "Everything good is hard."

"They didn't love hearing that," she says. "But pretty early on, even by middle school, it began to make its own case and they began to see for themselves how a boatload of effort did tend to pay off."

Now that they're adults, Welch says, her kids have been exposed to the normal adversities of working life, like job layoffs, bad bosses and difficult assignments. But despite these challenges, they've all found professional success, and Welch believes that it's because of her mantra.

"Believe me, I know all too well how impossible it is to control what your kids do at school or how they fare in the real world," she says. "Life happens, but don't discount the importance of your influence on their career trajectory."

She recommends that parents lead by example, demonstrating for kids that "when it comes to achieving lasting success, there are very few shortcuts."

"Hard things are hard for a reason," she emphasizes. "They're worth it."