Do I Need a Passion Project for Highly Selective  Colleges?

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 Build a Standout Extracurricular Profile

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

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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