77. The Art of Passion Projects in College Applications
Sep 27, 2023
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Former admissions officer discusses the importance of passion projects in college applications. They explore how passion projects help students discover their interests and showcase their passion. They also highlight the significance of combining different fields in applications and provide examples. The podcast discusses passion projects for computer science majors and the value of pursuing passion projects in applications.
Passion projects in college applications allow students to explore their interests and showcase their motivation, impact, and personal growth.
Tailoring passion projects to match the culture and values of target schools increases the chances of acceptance and captures the attention of admissions officers.
Deep dives
Importance of Passion Projects for College Applications
Passion projects, defined as activities pursued outside of academics driven by curiosity, play a crucial role in college applications. They not only allow students to explore and discover their interests but also demonstrate their motivation, impact, and personal growth. Admissions officers look for students who excel in and out of the classroom, seeking those who engage in fun and interesting activities during their free time. Examples such as starting a podcast or a TikTok channel showcase initiative, creativity, and an ability to connect with others. The key is to find a project that aligns with personal interests and has tangible outcomes, such as creating an app, organizing tournaments, or building websites. Passion projects help students stand out and show their authentic selves while emphasizing skills like collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
Highlighting Passion Projects in College Applications
In college applications, it is important to clearly highlight passion projects as they can significantly impact admissions decisions. Students should include their passion projects in the activity section of their application, providing a concise description and a link to the project if available. Mentioning the passion project in the essay is also beneficial, but it should not dominate the entire essay. The focus should be on how the passion project has contributed to personal growth and advancement, connecting it to a larger development arc. Admissions officers value the impact and motivation behind projects, so students should showcase the changes and positive outcomes that resulted from their passion projects.
Combining Multiple Interests in Passion Projects
Students with diverse and disjointed interests can find ways to combine them in their passion projects. Researching the schools they are applying to is crucial as it helps identify the specific interests and preferences of each school. By tailoring their passion projects to match the culture and values of the schools they are targeting, students can better relate to admissions officers and maximize their chances of acceptance. Podcasting is a great platform for combining interests, as it allows students to engage in conversations and exploration of various topics. By delving into the academic, technological, business, or storytelling aspects of their interests, students can create unique and impactful passion projects that capture the attention of admissions officers.
Creating Shorter Passion Projects in a Time Crunch
Even if students find themselves in a time crunch in their senior year, there are still opportunities to create shorter passion projects. Starting a podcast can be a relatively quick project, with episodes being published within a few weeks. A simple website showcasing artwork, performances, or content creation can also be created using platforms like SquareSpace. The goal is to initiate a project that reflects personal interests and demonstrates initiative and creativity. While shorter projects may not have the same depth as long-term endeavors, they can still provide valuable experiences and serve as a starting point for further exploration in college and beyond.
What is a passion project and why are they so important in college applications? On today's episode, Evan Cudworth, a Former Admissions Officer from UChicago, shares his tips on how to create a passion project that stands out from the competition.
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