Do I Need a Passion Project for Highly Selective  Colleges?
1903, 2026

Do I Need a Passion Project for Highly Selective  Colleges?

By Lydia C. In short: No. A passion project is not a requirement for admissions to any college/university, not even to the most selective. Indeed, many successful applicants are admitted without having undertaken a formal independent project. Additionally, not every student has the privilege of time or resources to do an independent project, and colleges understand that you might have significant family responsibilities, a part-time job, or financial or personal

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How to Craft a Strong Activities List for College Applications
2602, 2026

How to Craft a Strong Activities List for College Applications

By Justin B. For high school juniors, college applications may feel far away, but beginning to prepare for your activities list now can make it much easier to complete it later. The activities list is an important part of both the Common Application and University of California application, helping admissions officers understand how you spend your time, what you care about, and how you’ve grown outside the classroom. Here are

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How to Build a Standout Extracurricular Profile
2901, 2026

How to Build a Standout Extracurricular Profile

By Lilly G. In today’s competitive admissions landscape, a strong extracurricular profile is often what sets you apart among thousands of applicants who may have similar GPAs and test scores. A standout extracurricular profile should demonstrate your initiative, leadership and responsibility, as well as how you grow over time. So, how to build a well-planned and meaningful extracurricular profile? Here are some strategies that can be helpful to boost your

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Post–Winter Break College Planning Checklist
0801, 2026

Post–Winter Break College Planning Checklist

By Jennifer L. Coming back from winter break can feel like being dropped straight into fast-forward. Before the semester gets too busy, take a moment to reset and refocus on your college preparation journey. No matter what grade you’re in, what you do now can make the rest of the year more intentional—and far less stressful later on. 1. Start or Continue Your College Research If you’ve already started a

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Fuel Your Passion for Free: 4 Ways to Dive into Academic Interests
1405, 2025

Fuel Your Passion for Free: 4 Ways to Dive into Academic Interests

by Jennifer L. Exploring what you love doesn’t have to come with a price tag.  Whether you’re drawn to science, history, or an interdisciplinary field that blends both, there are fun, free, and meaningful ways to start learning today.  Here are 4 no-cost ways students can dive into academic interests: Activity 1: Join a Citizen Science Project Love science and nature? Downloading a citizen science app like iNaturalist, Zooniverse, or

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How to Record Accomplishments in Activities
1502, 2025

How to Record Accomplishments in Activities

by Kathleen M. Thinking about applying to college?  Looking for a new year’s resolution?  I have an idea for you!  Keep a record of all you are doing/learning in high school so you will be prepared for college applications. How to start? How can you record your accomplishments from high school activities? Select a notebook – or online source.  And commit to recording weekly your accomplishments.  Weekly may seem like

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3 Great Clubs for STEM in High School
0502, 2025

3 Great Clubs for STEM in High School

by Diane N. Are you passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and looking for ways to explore your interests beyond the classroom? Here are three fantastic clubs in high school that can help you dive deeper into the world of STEM: Robotics Club Robotics clubs, such as those affiliated with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), offer an exciting blend of engineering, programming, and teamwork.

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Plan Extracurriculars for College
1311, 2024

Plan Extracurriculars for College

by Justin B. “You may not realize it, but you do it all the time. Begin with the end in mind, that is. You draw up a blueprint before you build a house. You read a recipe before you bake a cake. You create an outline before you write a paper (at least I hope you do). It’s part of life.” (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean

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What Counts as Advanced Training in STEM Research?
2106, 2024

What Counts as Advanced Training in STEM Research?

by David H. N., PhD Advanced training in STEM research is one of the most important extracurricular activities in college applications. This type of training is often unique compared to what a student learns in AP courses or community college courses. Due to the nature of these training programs, they might also allow the student to create novel contributions to STEM or intriguing proof of concept discoveries. However, these trainings

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Starting Your First Internship or Research Project: 3 Essential Tips
0706, 2024

Starting Your First Internship or Research Project: 3 Essential Tips

by Diane N. Starting your first internship or research project can be both thrilling and daunting. Here are three essential tips to help you make the most of this opportunity and set yourself up for success. Understand the Dress Code and Safety Procedures First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand the dress code and safety procedures of your lab environment. In a wet lab, where we analyze and test biological

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The Importance of the Activities List for Common App & UC App
1507, 2023

The Importance of the Activities List for Common App & UC App

by Jennifer L. Both the Common App and the University of California (UC) application request students to include a list of activities that they have participated in over the course of their high school years. How important is this activities list?  Very important!  This section of the application is another big opportunity for colleges to get to know more about you.  With carefully selected words and constructed phrases, you can

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Don’t Go for ‘Well-Rounded’
1305, 2023

Don’t Go for ‘Well-Rounded’

by Sarah M. Many students aim to be “well-rounded” when they apply for college. Great grades, high test scores, a sport, an instrument, and handful of clubs and some work experience all combine to create the complete package, right? I’m not here to say that any of those things are bad. Of course they’re not! But in general, the idea of the well-rounded student just doesn’t work that well, as

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Summer Jobs Help College Applications
0605, 2023

Summer Jobs Help College Applications

by Tony T. Summer is coming up soon, and what you do in summer may help you in many perspectives and also help you get into colleges. Thinking about finding a job, being a volunteer or doing some research this summer? There are many summer jobs high school students can do. Some popular high school summer jobs include swimming lessons instructor, lifeguarding, pool cleaning, starting a blog, tutoring, babysitting, pet

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DECA – A Great Extra-Curricular Activity
1003, 2023

DECA – A Great Extra-Curricular Activity

DECA, also known as the Distributive Education Clubs of America, founded in 1946, is a non-profit organization that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA is designed to promote leadership and professional development by providing its members with a variety of activities, competitions, and networking opportunities. DECA offers a wide range of programs and initiatives, including career exploration and education, competitions, leadership

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The Lowdown on Work…and Whether You Should Write About It
1409, 2022

The Lowdown on Work…and Whether You Should Write About It

by Albert L. In my first job in high school, my right thumb often pulsated with a rawness that came from my nemesis that was a single hole puncher. I believed I could efficiently brute force my way through one too many sheets that would somehow defy the laws of physics. My loving cousin employed me as one of her sweatshop elves in her home business that sold handcrafted messages

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Hot Hot (Utilized) Summer
1706, 2022

Hot Hot (Utilized) Summer

by Albert L. It’s that time – when finals have just finished and you’ve heard the triumphant ringing of the last bell for the school year. The rising temperatures are beckoning you to soak up some sunshine and it’s your chance to reshape the mush that is your brain from all that studying. After a long year, you probably deserve a much-needed break. However, as tempting as it might be

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How to Write About an Unusual Hobby
0309, 2021

How to Write About an Unusual Hobby

by Michelle Hey Essay Narwhals! Did you know that different groups of whales may sing songs in different dialects? It’s been hypothesized that the songs in these dialects could be a way for whales to identify themselves, and bring up the possibility of the existence of different whale ‘cultures.’ This idea is easy enough to understand for human society as well. Even groups of people in the same country may

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0601, 2015

See Where Students Study Abroad

Thinking about studying abroad? College students may choose to study abroad for many reasons. Some wish to develop a better ear for a language or a greater understanding of their interests. Other students find that study abroad can help them gain a stronger sense of independence or boost their career skills. Curious about the most popular countries for study abroad? According to U.S. News, in 2012-2013, the top 3 study

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1410, 2014

LEO Club

The LEO Club (Leadership, Experience, Opportunity) was first formed in Pennsylvania in 1957. The objective of the organization, in their own words, is to “provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community.” Joining a LEO Club allows students to work together on community service projects and develop leadership skills. Past service projects

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0710, 2014

What is the Service Learning Requirement?

For many high schools, community service is a graduation requirement for their students. In the Fremont Unified School District, schools like Mission San Jose High and Irvington High all have different methods for students to report their hours. However, the requirements for these service learning hours are the same across these schools. 1. Students must fulfill 40 service hours before they graduate 2. These service hours must be with a

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1007, 2014

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton and her group in 1881; she led the organization for 23 years. The American Red Cross started its focus on disaster relief efforts at home and overseas, and eventually widened its focus to include first aid, public health, veterans service, and safety training. For high school students, joining the Red Cross Club provides them various opportunities to build critical leadership skills.

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