How Can High School Students Best Utilize Their Breaks to Stand Out in the Admissions Cycle?

Here are two things students in grades 9-11 can do this winter to stand out in the admissions cycle:

1. Start thinking about research.

Students who engage in research are 20% more likely to get into a top 10 college. Research shows colleges that you are an independent thinker who engages with your academic interests outside the classroom.

Research can be on any topic, and it doesn’t have to be earth-shattering. It can be something as simple as designing a new experiment for your chemistry class or writing a paper about a historical event you’re passionate about.

The important thing is to be proactive and to show colleges that you’re willing to go the extra mile to learn more about your chosen field.

1. Create an interesting project around your passions.

Take your interests and see what you can do with them on a larger scale. Some students even envision social impact projects.

For example, if you’re passionate about the environment, you could start a club at your school to raise awareness about climate change. Or, if you’re interested in computer science, you could build a website or app that solves a real-world problem.

The key is to find a project that you’re passionate about and to put your own unique spin on it.

Use your winter break as an opportunity to take your interests to the next level! If you’re interested in research, we can pair you up with PhD mentors in your field of interest, who can guide you through the entire process.

Contact us to learn more about how you can get involved with research and build an interesting project!