Do these 6 extracurriculars and thank me later

Summary

This video offers strategic advice on standing out during college admissions through impactful extracurricular activities. It emphasizes the importance of passion-driven projects, research experience, starting nonprofits, entering competitions, running for student council, and helping local businesses or nonprofits. The focus is on quality, not quantity—building a clear, compelling narrative rather than just checking boxes. By highlighting real-world examples and actionable tips, the video guides students toward choosing activities that align with their interests and demonstrate genuine leadership, initiative, and impact, providing a competitive edge for top college applications.

Takeaways

• 😀 College admissions are more competitive than ever, and students need to differentiate themselves with meaningful extracurriculars.
• 😀 It’s important to focus on quality over quantity with extracurriculars—four to six strong activities are more valuable than 15 superficial ones.
• 😀 The key to standing out is developing a 'spike' in extracurriculars, showing passion and expertise in a specific area.
• 😀 Launching a passion project is a great way to demonstrate genuine interest and consistency over time, whether it's a blog, Instagram account, or other initiatives.
• 😀 Doing research with a professor can give you valuable experience, and cold emailing professors can open doors for high school students seeking research opportunities.
• 😀 When cold emailing professors, it’s essential to personalize your message, showing genuine interest in their work and asking thoughtful questions.
• 😀 Starting a nonprofit or initiative is not about flexing a fancy title, but about doing real work and using your unique skills to make an impact.
• 😀 Entering competitions related to your field, even without winning, can demonstrate passion, skill, and competitiveness to colleges.
• 😀 Running for student council early on (9th or 10th grade) allows you to build a track record of leadership, which colleges value.
• 😀 Working with a local business or nonprofit is an easy and overlooked way to gain valuable real-world experience and potentially earn strong recommendation letters.

Q & A

Why is college admissions more competitive than ever?

College admissions have become more competitive due to an increase in the number of students applying to top-tier schools, combined with the rising expectations for applicants to stand out. Many students are now opting for safe extracurriculars and generic volunteer hours, which creates noise rather than a compelling narrative.

What is the difference between involvement and impact in extracurricular activities?

Involvement refers to simply participating in an activity, while impact means actively contributing and making a meaningful difference. Colleges are more interested in students who show genuine passion and a clear focus rather than those who just fill up their schedules with many activities.

How many extracurricular activities should a student be involved in?

It’s better to focus on four to six strong extracurriculars rather than having 15 shallow ones. Colleges are looking for depth and genuine commitment, not a list of random activities. Being highly involved in fewer activities helps build a more compelling narrative.

What is a passion project and how does it help in college admissions?

A passion project is an initiative that you start from scratch based on something you truly care about, such as a YouTube channel or a social media account. It's not about impressing others, but about showing consistency, depth, and your passion. Colleges appreciate seeing that you follow through on what matters to you.

How can a student get research experience with a professor?

To get research experience, students should email professors whose work aligns with their interests. By reading their papers and asking thoughtful questions, students can show their genuine interest and potentially secure a research opportunity. Persistence is key, as it may take several emails to get a response.

What is the correct way to cold email a professor for research opportunities?

When emailing a professor, be respectful, specific, and personalize your message. Start by introducing yourself, mentioning your interest in their research, and asking thoughtful, specific questions about their work. If you do it right, you may get the chance to discuss potential opportunities for research involvement.

What are the benefits of starting a nonprofit or initiative during high school?

Starting a nonprofit shows leadership, initiative, and the ability to make a real-world impact. Even if you don’t have all the expertise initially, you can leverage your existing skills to build teams, organize events, and solve problems. Colleges value students who can demonstrate tangible achievements and contributions.

Why should students enter competitions in their field of interest?

Entering competitions is a great way to show colleges your passion and skills in a structured environment. Whether you win or not, competitions help you develop expertise, meet like-minded individuals, and provide third-party validation of your abilities, which strengthens your college application.

How important is it to run for student council in high school?

Running for student council, especially early in high school, is a powerful leadership move. Colleges recognize the responsibility and leadership involved in holding such a position. Early involvement and building a reputation are crucial, as the title of president or other leadership positions carries significant weight.

How can working with a local business or nonprofit benefit a student’s college application?

Working with a local business or nonprofit gives students real-world experience that sets them apart. It shows initiative, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate with adults. This type of experience can lead to meaningful stories for college essays and potentially strong recommendation letters from employers or mentors.