Hi Counselors! Click below to download Google slides you can use to help your students plan their uncommon extracurricular experiences:

Bonus: You can even add your own school logo.

Getting Started

We’ll begin by brainstorming 3-5 ideas that both sound fun AND might help you get into a great college.

First, you’ll brainstorm what YOU value. 

Next, you’ll learn what COLLEGES value.

Then you’ll brainstorm ideas to help you do both things.

Step 1. Pick 3-5 values you want to explore OUTSIDE SCHOOL OR OVER THE summer.

How to do this: Look at this values list linked below and pick 5-10 that you’d like to experience.

Step 2: Learn what colleges are looking for.

At College Essay Guy, we spent more than a year analyzing hundreds of college websites (like this one) and talking to dozens of admission officers to generate a list of qualities that most colleges are looking for when reviewing applications. 

Caveat: There’s no way to say what EVERY college wants, so take these with a grain of salt. 

Think of these more like “admission nutrients” — aka important qualities for a “healthy” college application. 

In no particular order, they are: 

• Intellectual curiosity

• Service to others

• Leadership or initiative

• Collaboration

• Consistent engagement

Important note: We believe that pursuing these qualities can not only help with college acceptances, but also finding more joy and meaning in your life.

Step 3: Brainstorm at least 5 ideas that intersect with a) YOUR values and b) what COLLEGES value.

Come up with 5 experiences or projects that might help you a) explore your values, and b) help your college chances. 

And make sure 1-2 are fun. Because a) not everything should be about getting into college, but also, fun fact, b) colleges readers like seeing when students seek balance and self-care.

But wait…

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone just created a huge menu of ideas? 

And organized it by values?

And wouldn’t it be even better if those ideas wove in the admission nutrients?

Drumroll, please… 

That’s right. At the link above you’ll find 5 extracurricular and summer ideas listed for every single value. And yes, we’ve taken into account the “admission nutrients.”

Step 4: Pick 3 ideas or experiences.

After consulting the list above (and your beautiful brain), write down 3 ideas you might try out. 

Idea 1: ───────────────────────────────

Idea 2: ───────────────────────────────

Idea 3: ───────────────────────────────

Note: You don’t have to commit to these right this second; you’re just brainstorming possibilities.

Okay, let’s make some connections.

Step 5: Connect your growth → your future college application

Using this list of Roles and Identities, ask yourself: If I did each of these experiences, which part of myself would I develop AND what quality could I demonstrate to colleges? 

Write a sentence for each one using this template: 

• By doing [this project/experience], I’d grow as a [role/identity] PLUS show colleges [admission nutrient(s)].

Experience/identity/nutrient 1: ───────────────────────────────

Experience/identity/nutrient 2: ───────────────────────────────

Experience/identity/nutrient 3: ───────────────────────────────

• Example 1: By reading five different books in five different disciplines (project/experience), I’d grow as a critical thinker and interest hopper (roles) PLUS show colleges intellectual curiosity and critical thinking (admission nutrients).   

• Example 2: By leading a food drive at my temple, I’ll grow as a catalyst and leader, plus show colleges initiative and service to others.

Again, here’s a great moment to share with others if you’re doing this in a workshop or on a webinar.

That’s right. At the link above you’ll find 5 extracurricular and summer ideas listed for every role and identity. And yes, we’ve taken into account the “admission nutrients.”

Step 6: Finally, write down the next step for each thing you wrote down.

Next step for 1: ───────────────────────────────

Next step for 2: ───────────────────────────────

Next step for 3: ───────────────────────────────

Example 1: Email Mrs. Clark to see if she could help me organize a food drive this month. 

Example 2: Decide this week on a community, craft, or tradition that doesn’t get mainstream attention and map out a plan for creating a short documentary about it.

Remember, you don’t have to do these yet; you’re just brainstorming here.