What is a passion project
A passion project is something you start yourself, driven by genuine interest in a particular topic or issue. Unlike school clubs or mandatory activities, passion projects come from your own enthusiasm and initiative. Examples include launching a nonprofit, conducting independent research, creating a community program, starting a business, or pursuing creative endeavors.
Why passion projects matter in admissions:
- Commitment & Dedication: They highlight your willingness to invest deeply and consistently in your passions.
- Leadership & Initiative: Passion projects clearly showcase your ability to independently lead, innovate, and create meaningful change.
- Unique Talents: These projects emphasize your personal strengths, skills, and interests beyond academics.
- Essay Material: Passion projects provide compelling and authentic experiences to write about in your college essays.
Passion projects can evolve from hobbies
A passion project doesn't have to be daunting or overly formal; it can simply be an evolution of your favorite hobby, showcasing creativity, skills, and impact.
While there is no right or wrong project, you should always aim to create a positive impact at scale. You will be acting as an entrepreneur: turning your passion into a service for others to benefit from.
The problem with passion projects
Just like you should not pursue activities solely for a college application, you should not create a passion project merely to impress admissions officers. It's a 'Passion' project, not an 'INeedToGetIntoCollege' project.
Unfortunately, many projects I've seen lack genuine passion—they don't solve any real problems and lack originality. Students sometimes focus on what's easiest to create (usually an Instagram page or a Telegram channel) and end up with mediocre projects, minimal results, and no personal investment. That's missing the point entirely.
Remember, it's not necessary to have a passion project! Don't force yourself into creating one if you don't have a genuine interest or purpose driving it.