3 Steps to Starting a Project That Will Get You Into Top Colleges!
Worried about how your child will get into top colleges?
It still surprises me when my new teenaged clients tell ME what they need to do to impress college admissions officers. They come with their lists of AP classes, expensive summer camps, and all of the sports teams and clubs they belong to. I smile and nod as they tell me about all of the “hard work” and how they’re “so busy” they don’t have time for anything else. When they’re done with their monologues — and feeling quite accomplished with themselves, I honestly can’t remember one thing they did that made them stand out amongst the other millions of kids vying for those coveted acceptances to the top colleges in the US. And that’s why their plan doesn’t work.
When everyone across this nation takes the same AP or IB classes on the exact same day each year, and they’re all taking SAT/ACT prep classes to artificially inflate their scores, perfect GPAs and SATs don’t guarantee admission into selective colleges because these students don’t stand out. So what do you need to do to get into top universities?
Do a PROJECT.
Yup, it’s as simple, and yet as difficult as that. Forget all the AP classes, starting or joining dozens of clubs, and dedicating ridiculous hours for practices and rehearsals. If everyone is doing them, unless you’re the MVP or you’re winning Academy Awards, it sounds like busy work – because it is.
Here’s what you need to do:
1.Choose a project
Spend time brainstorming before moving forward. Think about issues that need to be fixed, applications that need to be written, and books that need to be published. It really doesn’t matter what it is as long as you’re fascinated and passionate about it.
2.Delve into it
Research what others are doing about your idea to determine whether or not there’s room for you. Find your niche and create your brand. Then, get the word out and grow your idea or market your product. Make calls. Be persistent. Don’t give up.
3.Realize your goal
Every step you take will get you closer to your goal. For every student I guide, I watch doors open for them because of their persistence and their eye on the goal. They get invited to speak at conferences or on TV/radio. Success begets success. They accomplish their goals.
Students who do projects have fascinating stories to tell on their college admissions essays. Nobody wants to read about your team spirit or how grateful you felt after you went to an elite summer program. Instead you’ll captivate admissions officers by telling them about overcoming the inevitable obstacles you had faced when developing an app or trying to talk to the governor. When they read about how you protected the weak or started a non-profit organization to stand up to corruption, you’ll have their undivided attention.
Colleges don’t want robotic students who are good at memorizing facts, take overwhelming AP classes and spend all their free time at practices working under coaches or directors. These types of students will not be our future leaders of innovation or the world. Instead, admissions officers want interesting students who find solutions to problems and have unwavering drive to reach their goals.
Naturally, these projects must be done by the student – not their parents. If you need help with starting a project, check out my book Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project! or if you need support, meet with me at one of my offices or on Skype. The ideal time to start a project is in 8th or 9th grade so you have time to develop amazing ideas. But, I work with juniors who develop their projects just in time for applications in 12th grade.
It’s time – DO A PROJECT!