What's the one thing that college admissions officers are seeking?

What's the distinguishing factor that sets the top 5% of college applicants apart? Dr. Liz Krider is a Caltech PhD, speaker and founder of Passion Progress she's coached numerous students over many years facilitating their acceptance into esteemed institutions such as Stanford, Yale and Cornell by guiding them through the standout factor in their applications: the independent student project.

In the current climate of cutthroat competition stellar grades and traditional extracurriculars know no longer guarantee acceptance. Admissions officers seek something deeper character. The independent project such as a community impact project or scientific research project is the unique differentiator that reflects a student's character and cultivates resilience.

Take Sarah's story. She had good grades and strong extracurriculars but she really stood out for her project exploring unconventional methods for preventing bacterial infections. Although she faced several project failures Sarah persisted eventually discovering success in a specific scenario. It wasn't the flawless journey but her embrace of the unknown that became the centerpiece of her college essay.

What most students overlook is that learning from failure impresses admissions officers. Colleges desire individuals who can navigate uncertainty with grit and resilience. The independent project becomes the crucible for growth demonstrating to colleges an intellectual curiosity, academic vitality and overall personal development. Sarah's project opened many doors including a pre-med program initially deemed out of reach. Despite having below median test scores for accepted students she secured a spot at a university with a 13% acceptance rate. Dr. Liz's students thrive no matter whether they go to a college ranked in the top 75 or top five. This journey is not just about securing admission it's about fostering a richer sense of identity and purpose of in the world. Let's discuss the possibilities for your student reach Dr. Liz today to start the conversation