You’ve heard the word strategy — but what does it actually mean? If your goal is for your child to attend college, plan on several years of deliberate planning and groundwork so that, by application time, every element tells a cohesive, compelling story.
Working with an education consultant begins with getting to know the student, their academic interests, and then course planning for a successful high school journey.
Which subjects should your student challenge themselves in? Not every course needs to be an AP — but taken together, a student’s transcript should demonstrate a consistent willingness to push beyond the comfortable.
Equally important are activities, both inside and outside of school. Early on, the focus is on exploration: laying the foundation for a clear scope of interest through extracurriculars. What parents often perceive as impressive may not register the same way with college admissions officers. Admissions offices want to see depth, not breadth. To illustrate, here is how a former director of admissions at UPenn rates common student activities:
Starting a nonprofit organization — 2/10. The ability to launch a nonprofit — filing paperwork, securing seed funding, and so on — signals access to resources and connections that are largely concentrated in upper-middle-class demographics. Beyond that, the sheer number of student-founded nonprofits makes it difficult for any single small organization to stand out or demonstrate meaningful impact.
Paid research program — 0/10. Like nonprofits, paid research opportunities reveal a family’s financial means rather than a student’s merit. Admissions offices are actively working to build diverse student bodies that include applicants from lower-income backgrounds. Research, moreover, is a skill typically developed in college — not something expected of high schoolers.
Organic research with a local professor — 7/10. This is what initiative looks like. When a student independently reaches out to a professor working in an area that genuinely interests them, it signals both intellectual curiosity and the drive to pursue it — qualities admissions officers find compelling.
Volunteering with local organizations — 8/10. Many high schools require students to log a minimum number of volunteer hours, and for good reason: community service builds empathy, practical skills, and a sense of civic responsibility. The most valuable volunteering isn’t perfunctory — it reflects a student who genuinely values giving back and has grown through the experience.
Scouting — 6/10. Scouting demands sustained commitment, both physically and mentally. Advancement requires passing progressively rigorous tests to earn merit badges, with Eagle Scout representing one of the program’s highest distinctions. Earning it requires a minimum of 21 merit badges (13 of which are mandatory), a demonstration of Scout Spirit rooted in the Scout Oath and Law, and the planning, execution, and leadership of a significant community service project.
DECA, Debate, Model UN — 3/10. Participation alone carries limited weight. If your student earns national recognition in one of these activities, admissions officers will take notice — but depth beats breadth. A student who excels in a single pursuit is far more compelling than one who dabbles in many.
So, if you want to learn more about how together we can help your child with future application strategy, get in touch with us.