If you are a high school student already anxious about the college admissions process in the age of COVID, there is no doubt that you are struggling with the idea of how to engage in extracurricular activities during quarantine. Having a well-rounded college admissions application requires students to display their commitment to activities outside of the classroom and social distancing can certainly make it difficult to engage in community building, civic engagement, sports, or part-time jobs. There are some opportunities that lend themselves well to students staying close to home during the pandemic. Consider the following:
Become a remote tutor with EduConnection.
EduConnection pairs elementary and middle-school students with high schools students for tutoring partnerships. Because the organization is committed to equitable tutoring services, clients and tutors set their own prices for sessions. Tutors need to be at least 16, commit to at least 1 hour a week, and there is no cost to sign up.
Contribute to a non-profit mission and teach code to young people with Codepioneers.
If you have a PC, stable Internet connection, and an interest in coding, you could volunteer with Codepioneers to help teach Python to young people. Codepioneers offers free, beginner-friendly coding instruction to students around the world.
Join a social support initiative, like The Chalk Project, during the pandemic, or create your own.
If you see a need in your community that could be met with a socially-distanced, coordinated, outreach program, find a way to meet those needs. This could involve meals, lawn care, or deliveries for homebound neighbors.
Become an advocate for financial literacy with My Piggy Bank.
This group’s focus is on improving financial literacy for young people. Students can apply to be article writers, website designers, or be a resource advisor. This is a great opportunity for high school students interested in business and finance.
There are also organizations like PowerOf that help match students with volunteer opportunities in their area.
These are a few ways that high school students can demonstrate a commitment to their communities during COVID and show admissions representatives they are engaged, responsible, and resourceful.