Can I say to colleges that I've earned the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award if I don't have the award in hand?
I'm a high school senior currently applying to college. I have accrued 350+ volunteer hours with a PVSA-certified organization but am unable to receive the physical award in hand before my college application deadlines due to backlogs at PVSA. If conditions permitted I would have had the award in hand months ago but due to factors outside of my control, it looks like I will be unable to officially receive the award within the desired timeframe. Since I am eligible for the award and should have received it, is there anyway I could still put down on my applications that I've earned the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award?
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4 answers
As long as that organization recognizes you as having that award, then yes, you can put it down on your college apps. The physical 'manifestation' of the award may be meaningful to you, but it doesn't matter to the colleges. So in other words, if you were recognized as a Gold Presidential Volunteer Service(r) but just haven't received the physical award, you can (and should!) put this on your college apps.
Good luck!
Hmmm....we are a certifying organization and I'm not aware of a backlog. Maybe the medals are on backorder because of shipping delays? But, the good news is that Points of Light prints the certificates and directly. Maybe they can send the certificate earlier than the metal? Will the certifying organization memorialize your award in any other way? For example a service transcript? Or a letter or recommendation? I think you are on safe ground including the PVSA on your college app as long as you have backup. Plus, you can always update the admissions office with news of your award.
Go for it!
So it's absolutely okay as long as you can 100% confirm you will get it. For example, I got accepted to NHS but I'm applying before I officially join but I'm listing it as the only thing left is a ceremony that I need to attend.
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Points of Light, the organization that issues the PVSA, will allow certifying organizations to certify the current year in addition to the prior two years. Technically you can state that you volunteered 350 hours. However, unless your hours are officially verified by at PVSA certifying organization, you do not technically have the award. Focusing on an award misses the point. Instead you should do two things: 1) focus on the quality of the experience; 2) get proof of your hours.