NRCCUA NEWS!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2/27/07

2/27/2007

New findings released today show that the majority of high school students are currently volunteering, with many participating in hurricane relief efforts, according to new survey data on high school students nationwide by the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA), the nation’s leading organization connecting young people and their families with colleges and universities.

The survey found that 61% of students are currently doing volunteer work, with 42% having participated in hurricane relief efforts. Of those currently volunteering, 6% do so for more than 5 hours per week, 14% volunteer 3-5 hours a week and 41% volunteer up to 2 hours a week. While 39% of the surveyed students indicated they do not participate in volunteer work, only 9% indicated that they are not willing to participate in the future.

When broken down by gender, more female students (64%) than male students (58%) currently volunteer. Additionally, the survey found that students are more likely to volunteer as they get older. At the freshman and sophomore grade level, 59% indicated that they currently volunteer, while 68% of juniors and 65% of seniors said the same.

The survey also indicated the types of community service activities students are interested in. Activities related to hurricane and disaster relief organizations were the most popular, with significant numbers of students also interested in coaching youth and hospital services. A breakdown of the types of community service students are interested in follows:

• 29% - Fundraising for Hurricane/Disaster Relief
• 27% - Coaching
• 26% - Hospitals
• 24% - Volunteer with Religious Organizations (Other than clergy, choir, drama, and teaching Sunday school)  
• 24% - Animal Welfare
   

“Students today are actively volunteering and making a difference in their communities”, said Don Munce, President of NRCCUA. “These experiences play a valuable role in students’ development and we must continue to offer more opportunities for students to volunteer at the post-secondary education level.”

 # # #

NRCCUA - The National Research Center for College & University Admissions(NRCCUA) is a non-profit education research organization based in Lee’s Summit, Mo. For over 35 years, NRCCUA has conducted the largest nationwide survey of high school students, which serves as a communications link between college-bound high school students and public and private colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.nrccua.org.