Unlock your strengths for standout applications
Marina Lee brings extensive experience in one-on-one instruction, classroom teaching, and educational advising. She is the founder and president of Cogita Education Initiatives (CEI), an organization dedicated to guiding students as they prepare for the next stage of their academic journey. At CEI, counselors promote deep self-reflection and critical thinking, encouraging students to better understand themselves and their goals. The organization goes beyond traditional admissions counseling to nurture personal growth through a holistic, individualized approach. Cogita empowers students to become their best selves, equipping them with the skills, clarity, and confidence to thrive both academically and in the wider world. Marina also serves as an Ex Officio member of the Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) Global Standing Committee.
Table of contents
- How to find your passion in high school and strengthen your college application
- Why depth beats the checklist in college admissions
- What depth looks like
- How to discover your passion in high school
- A simple extracurricular filter
- Building your college application around real strengths
- How recommendation letters can amplify your story
- How to help your recommenders write stronger letters
- Using overlooked sections of your college application strategically
- When to use the additional information section
- The role of authenticity in long-term success
- Intentionality, adaptability, and authenticity: A roadmap for students
- Intentionality
- Adaptability
- Authenticity
- Stand out in college admissions by expressing, not performing
- Next steps
How to find your passion in high school and strengthen your college application
You joined the clubs.
You signed up for volunteer hours.
You’re taking the hardest classes available.
But when someone asks, “What are you passionate about?”...you hesitate.
In today’s competitive college admissions landscape, students often feel pressure to build a résumé that “looks impressive.” The problem? Admissions officers can tell the difference between checklist-driven activities and genuine passion.
So, how do you find your passion in high school and use it to stand out in college admissions?
The answer isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming more intentional, authentic, and strategic in how you pursue and present your interests.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What colleges really look for in applicants
- How to discover your authentic interests
- How to choose extracurriculars strategically
- How recommendation letters can strengthen your story
- How to use overlooked sections of your college application
Let’s break it down.
Why depth beats the checklist in college admissions
Many students approach the college application process like a formula:
- Strong GPA
- High test scores
- A few leadership roles
- Volunteer hours
- Recommendation letters
While those elements matter, top colleges use a holistic admissions process. That means they evaluate more than numbers.
According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), a majority of admissions offices place significant value on qualities such as:
- Intellectual curiosity
- Passion and initiative
- Character and resilience
- Unique contributions to the community
In other words, they’re not looking for the most “well-rounded” student. They’re looking for students with depth.
What depth looks like
- A student who builds a multi-year environmental initiative and reflects on setbacks.
- A student who connects computer science with public health to solve a local problem.
- A student who explores one academic interest deeply through research, internships, or independent projects.
Depth shows:
- Sustained commitment
- Initiative
- Intellectual engagement
- Authentic motivation
That’s what helps you stand out in college admissions.
How to discover your passion in high school
If you’re unsure what your passion is, that’s normal. Passion is rarely something you “find” instantly. It’s usually something you build through exploration and reflection.
Start with these five questions:
- What topics do you research or think about without being assigned?
- When do you lose track of time?
- What problems frustrate you enough to want to fix?
- What activities leave you energized rather than drained?
- What compliments do teachers or mentors consistently give you?
Look for patterns.
Your passion doesn’t have to be flashy. It might be:
- Teaching younger students
- Coding small tools
- Writing about social issues
- Organizing community events
- Supporting a cultural or immigrant community
What matters most is genuine interest paired with sustained effort.
A simple extracurricular filter
Before committing to an activity, ask:
- Interest level (1-10)
- Impact potential
- Longevity (Can I stick with this for 2-3 years?)
- Alignment with future goals
If it scores high in interest and longevity, it’s likely worth pursuing.
Building your college application around real strengths
Once you identify areas of genuine interest, the next step is alignment.
Instead of stacking random extracurriculars, build around a few themes.
For example:
- STEM + community service
- Creative writing + social advocacy
- Business + environmental sustainability
This creates a cohesive narrative across:
- Your activities list
- Your college essays
- Your recommendation letters
- Your interviews
When admissions officers review your file, they should see a clear thread, not scattered involvement.
Whenever possible, connect your interests to a college’s mission, programs, or values. That demonstrates intentionality, not just participation.
How recommendation letters can amplify your story
Recommendation letters are one of the most underutilized parts of the college application.
Strong letters do more than say you’re “hardworking.” They provide:
- Specific stories
- Concrete examples
- Third-party validation of your character
An authentic story, illustrated through third-party observation, adds credibility that your essays alone cannot.
How to help your recommenders write stronger letters
Provide a concise “brag sheet” that includes:
- Key academic interests
- Major projects or papers
- Moments of growth or resilience
- Leadership experiences
- Future goals
You’re not scripting their letter. You’re giving context.
Also, aim for variety. If one teacher highlights intellectual curiosity, another might emphasize leadership or creativity. Together, they paint a multidimensional picture.
Using overlooked sections of your college application strategically
Many students focus heavily on the main essay and activities list and ignore the optional sections.
That’s a mistake.
The “Additional Information” section and optional short responses can be powerful strategic tools.
Hidden sections in applications are not afterthoughts: they’re spaces where clarity and context can tip the balance.
When to use the additional information section
Use it to:
- Explain academic inconsistencies
- Clarify unusual grading systems
- Describe significant family responsibilities
- Provide context for major life events
Keep it concise and factual. Avoid repeating information already covered elsewhere.
Framing challenges as growth experiences demonstrates maturity and adaptability, two traits colleges value highly.
The role of authenticity in long-term success
Authenticity isn’t just good for admissions: it protects you from burnout.
When students chase activities solely to impress colleges:
- Motivation fades
- Stress increases
- Projects lack depth
Authenticity provides a durable foundation for impact. It fosters:
- Resilience
- Trust from mentors
- Sustained engagement
- Meaningful community contribution
Research consistently shows that diverse perspectives and lived experiences fuel innovation. When you draw from your personal background or cultural heritage, your ideas often become more original and impactful.
Colleges aren’t looking for a manufactured identity. They’re looking for students who know themselves.
Intentionality, adaptability, and authenticity: A roadmap for students
Three qualities consistently set standout applicants apart:
Intentionality
Choose depth over quantity.
Commit to sustained involvement.
Explain why your activities matter to you.
Adaptability
Turn setbacks into opportunities.
If a summer program is canceled, start a project.
If an idea fails, refine it and try again.
Authenticity
Write essays that reflect real insight.
Share honest motivations.
Resist crafting a persona designed purely to impress.
Admissions officers increasingly value students who express rather than conform.
Stand out in college admissions by expressing, not performing
The strongest applicants don’t win because they checked every box.
They stand out because they:
- Show self-awareness
- Demonstrate depth
- Guide their recommenders thoughtfully
- Use every section of the application strategically
- Present a cohesive, authentic narrative
By prioritizing your original interests and real personal growth, you not only strengthen your college application but also lay the foundation for a more fulfilling college experience.
The goal isn’t to appear impressive.
It’s to become genuinely impactful.
And when you do that, your application naturally follows.
Next steps
If you’re starting your college application journey, consider:
- Conducting a personal interest audit this week
- Identifying 1-2 activities to deepen rather than adding new ones
- Drafting a brag sheet for future recommenders
- Reviewing your application for unused strategic space
Clarity beats quantity.
Depth beats performance.
Authenticity beats imitation.
That’s how you find your passion, making it shine in college admissions.
