Create a Passion Project That Makes a Difference and Gets You Admitted to Top Colleges

Get expert, 1-on-1 guidance to turn your interests into a standout achievement that admissions officers will remember. We’ll help you build something real, personal, and uniquely yours — from first idea to final deliverable.

Grades Aren’t Enough — Top Colleges Look for Passion and Initiative

Colleges today want more than strong grades and test scores. They look for students who go beyond the classroom to pursue their interests, solve real-world problems, and create meaningful change. In other words, they look for students who have a “spike”.

That’s where a Passion Project comes in.

It shows colleges that you’re not just following a path — you’re creating one. Whether you’re building a nonprofit, launching a product, or creating something artistic, a well-executed project can:

  • Make your application more memorable
  • Showcase leadership, creativity, and drive
  • Provide powerful content for essays and interviews
  • Help you discover a deeper sense of purpose

Data made public during the 2018 Harvard Admissions Trial revealed that students with a broad, “well-rounded” profile had significantly lower admission rates than those who stood out for one thing they did exceptionally well.

Students with a clear, focused strength — often called a “spike” — had a far better chance of acceptance, with admit rates jumping to around 70% in some cases.
That kind of spike doesn’t just show passion — it shows initiative, impact, and direction. It gives admissions officers a reason to say, “This student is going to do big things here — and beyond.”

What Kind of Projects Can You Build?

Your Passion Project Could Be…

 A podcast on mental health for teens

A community art project to raise awareness of cultural identity

A website that simplifies financial literacy for high schoolers

A YouTube channel showing the process of building a homemade electric violin

 A science newsletter for middle school students, written by high schoolers

A winter clothing drive for displaced families, partnered with local shelters

A student-led research project turned into a local public speaking series

Creating a product or service that fills a community need

These are just a few examples — we’ll work with you 1-on-1 to discover what fits your strengths, interests, and goals, and help you bring it to life.

How the Passion Project Development Program Works

You don’t need to start with a perfect idea. You just need curiosity — we’ll help with the rest.

Month 1:
Discover the Spark

We start by reviewing a detailed questionnaire to understand your interests, personality, and goals. Through conversation and reflection, the consultant helps uncover project angles that you may never have considered — ones that align with your story and make your application shine.
Our methodology is designed to identify a project that showcases the 5 P’s that top colleges value:
Passion, Personality, Proactiveness, Positivity, and Personal Growth.

Month 2:
Build the Blueprint

Once the idea is locked in, it’s time to plan. Together, you and your consultant will map out timelines, milestones, and goals.  If the project involves a website, product, or content series, the framework starts taking shape — from what components are needed to what assets to gather.

Month 3:
Launch & Execute

Time to bring the plan to life! Whether that’s publishing the first blog post, running a challenge, buying materials, or emailing community partners, this month is about taking meaningful first steps — and getting feedback and support along the way.

Month 4: Troubleshoot & Improve

Every great project hits roadblocks as it grows — and that’s part of the process. The consultant works closely with you to troubleshoot challenges, refine ideas, and level up the project’s execution so it’s both polished and authentic.

Month 5: Grow the Impact

Now that the foundation is in place, it’s time to scale. That might mean reaching a wider audience, gathering user feedback, adding new features, or increasing community involvement — always with your goals and bandwidth in mind.

Month 6: Independence & Next Steps

In the final month, the consultant helps position you for success after the program. Whether the project continues, is finalized, or gets featured in college materials, you walk away with something tangible  — and the confidence that you have a “spike” to speak about on any application or interview.

Typical deliverables include:

  • A polished website (which can be linked directly in the Common App or Coalition App)
  • A finished product, program, or initiative
  • Clear documentation of their work, ready for essays, interviews, and portfolios

Students also have the option to extend support if they want help taking their project to the next level.

Ready to take the first step? Schedule a Free Consultation with one of our Academic Advisors. No commitment required.

Work 1-on-1 with a Passion Project Expert — Matched to Your Needs

Leverage Experienced Admissions Consultants

Our mentors have helped students launch impactful initiatives, win leadership awards, and gain acceptance to top schools like [school name]. Each mentor is matched based on your interests and personality.

Each one is trained in guiding students to identify meaningful interests and build projects that reflect who they truly are.

What makes our mentors different?

  • Deep experience guiding students into top colleges, including Ivy League colleges, Stanford, MIT, and more
  • Matched with students based on personality, interests, and goals
  • Focused on developing initiative, not just checking boxes
1-on-1 individualized college admissions counselor

Allison K.

Allison graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a B.S. in Journalism. Since 2004, she has…
Member of the college admissions consulting team

Chantine A.

Chantine is an admissions consultant currently based in Boston, MA. She carries both a B.S. from MIT…
Experienced college admissions advisor

Claire G.

Claire graduated from Columbia University (admitted Early Decision) with degrees in Creative Writing and Film Studies. With…
Expert college admissions consultant

Daniel P.

Dr. Daniel Plymire is a scientist and engineer and has earned degrees in Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology and…
Expert admissions counselor

Daniel R.

Daniel is a graduate of both Oxford University and Yale Law School, where he honed his skills…
Private admissions counselor for college applications

Dominique R.

Dominique has a BFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, a masters in history…
Private college admissions advisor

Lily A.

Lily graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a major in Public Health, having also gained acceptance to…
1-on-1 College application helper

Matthew C.

Matthew is an atmospheric scientist who has worked for The Washington Post as a meteorologist since he…
Seasoned college application consultant

Rena S.

Rena Song graduated cum laude from University of California Berkeley with a dual bachelor degrees in Data…

Shahrukh M.

Shahrukh received his bachelor’s in Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Management from Johns Hopkins University. He holds two separate…

We’ve Helped Many Students Stand Out — This Program Is Built on What Works

PrepScholar has helped over 10,000 students improve their applications and gain admission to their top-choice schools. Our Passion Project Development Program is a natural extension of what we do best: helping students find and express their unique stories.

Strategic Framework

Our 6-month system is designed to balance ambition with structure — so students stay accountable without getting overwhelmed.

Personal Growth Meets Practical Impact

We don’t just help students build resumes — we help them discover what motivates them and make it tangible.

College-Aligned Focus

Every project is built with a long-term goal in mind: impressing admissions officers through real initiative and reflection.

Let’s Build a Project That Gets You Noticed

Get a Free Consultation with one of our Academic Advisors. No commitment required.

Not sure if your student is the right fit? We’re happy to talk it through — even if they don’t yet have an idea.

Our 1-on-1 Passion Project Program includes:

  • Personalized counselor match
  • Biweekly coaching sessions for 6 months
  • Guided brainstorming, feedback, and execution support

6-Month Passion Project
Development Program:

$2995

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