If the last three cycles have taught us anything, it’s that once reliable admissions forecasts no longer apply. Test-Optional policies have resulted in an exponential surge in applications, especially at competitive schools. In order for applications to really stand out, it’s essential that students weave a powerful and consistent theme through them, one that’s illuminated in their activities, echoed in their essays and reinforced by research, independent study and projects that speak to a singular interest.
From the moment I begin working with a student, I’m thinking about how we’ll make the application memorable, and then we build things out from there. These are just a few examples of how my students have turned genuine interests into impressive personal projects.
Targeted outreach to local restaurants, getting them to donate food waste to be composted and then donated to community gardens, parks, and farms.
Independent study project analyzing the economic impact that a playoff loss had on potential revenue at local restaurants.
School wide survey on the effects of social media use on self-image as part of the founding of a Student Wellness Committee.
Creation of a virtual peer to peer tutoring network that has evolved into an after school enrichment program.
