How do colleges verify volunteer hours?

Hey guys! I've done a lot of volunteer work throughout high school, and I'm wondering how colleges verify the hours I've put in. Do they contact the organizations I've worked with, or do I need to provide some kind of documentation? Thanks for any advice!

Hi there! Congratulations on all your volunteer work in high school — that's fantastic! About verifying those hours, most colleges actually don't have a formal process for checking volunteer hours for every applicant. However, they may decide to spot-check certain applications by contacting the organizations you listed or checking their records.

To be safe, it's a good idea to keep some form of documentation for your volunteer work that includes your hours and preferably a contact person who can verify your contributions to the organization. This could be a letter, certificate, or a record kept by you that's been signed by a supervisor. That way, you have some proof if it ever becomes necessary during the application process.

Make sure to list your volunteer experiences accurately and sincerely in your applications, demonstrating the impact they've had on you and others, as well as the skills and qualities you've gained from them. Admissions officers not only consider the number of hours you've spent volunteering but also the depth of your involvement and your commitment to the cause.

Good luck with your college applications!