How to Build a Stellar Passion Project for College Admissions
A live, hands-on workshop where you walk away with a concrete passion project plan that actually impresses admissions committees.
Selective colleges love students who don’t just join things but start things and stick with them. This free workshop is designed for ambitious high school students who want to turn their genuine interests into a structured, high-impact passion project that stands out on college applications.
In 60 minutes, we’ll walk through what actually counts as a “passion project,” why some projects impress admissions while others fall flat, and how to design a project that fits your interests, schedule, and resources. You’ll see real examples, follow a simple framework, and leave with a written one-page project blueprint you can start executing immediately.
This session is especially valuable if you feel “late,” overwhelmed, or unsure where to start—you don’t need a big budget or connections to build something meaningful. You’ll also get a clear view of how to position your project in activities lists, essays, and interviews so that it tells a cohesive story in your application.
Who This Is For
Grade 9–12 students aiming for competitive colleges in the U.S., Canada, or abroad.
Students who have interests but no clear project, or who have started something and want to level it up.
Parents and counselors are welcome to attend and observe so they can better support students.
Outcomes (What You’ll Walk Away With)
By the end of the workshop, you will have:
One clearly defined passion project idea aligned with your genuine interests and context.
A simple one-page project blueprint (goal, audience, activities, timeline, and metrics).
A clear plan for how to showcase the project on applications (activities section, additional information, and essays).
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
Explain what makes a passion project compelling to admissions officers versus “just another activity.”
Use a step-by-step framework (Interest → Problem → Solution → Impact) to generate and refine project ideas.
Break the chosen project into a realistic 8–12 week execution plan with milestones and simple measures of impact.
Identify where and how to integrate the project into their overall application narrative (spike, theme, or “personal brand”).
Event Details
Format: Live, interactive workshop with short teaching, worksheets, and Q&A.
Duration: 60 minutes
Structure:
10 min – Why passion projects matter for admissions
15 min – Finding your theme and brainstorming ideas
20 min – Building your project blueprint (guided exercise)
10 min – How to showcase your project in applications
5 min – Live Q&A and next steps
