Updated: Friday, February 14, 2025
Just Admit It! host Tasha (formerly at Boston University and USC) teams up with Eric (former admissions counselor at Columbia University and The New School) to break down the ways that academic enrichment can strengthen a student’s college admissions profile.
If you’re a college-bound high school student, you are likely already aware that it’s important to build a strong profile for college admissions. Colleges wants you to demonstrate on your application how you developed and deepened your academic interests throughout high school. A good way to do this is through academic enrichment.
Academic enrichment refers to any activity or program that deepens or broadens your understanding of a particular subject. Examples of academic enrichment include but are not limited to:
The goal of academic enrichment is to help you develop a specialized interest. It’s a common misconception that colleges look for well-rounded students. What they actually want is to enroll a well-rounded class of specialists — what we call “pointy” students. Growing your interest into expertise is a crucial to becoming a “pointy” student and building a strong applicant profile.
While your school curriculum provides a solid foundation, academic enrichment allows you to explore your passions more deeply. Participating in academic enrichment activities demonstrates intellectual curiosity and vitality as well as academic rigor — qualities that admissions officers find attractive.
IvyWise counselor Tasha explains why academic enrichment is important to colleges.
Universities are going to look for students who enjoy learning. And the great thing about academic enrichment is that if you’re at a school that has a very straightforward curriculum, these outside resources are a great way to not only distinguish yourself in the admissions process but to show admissions officers that you love to learn beyond the traditional ways that are often spoon fed.
Academic enrichment can also provide you with networking opportunities. You’ll meet peers, mentors, and professionals that could provide recommendation letters for college admissions or connect you to internship or career opportunities. Additionally, you’ll develop critical thinking, time management, problem-solving, teamwork, and other important skills that help you be successful in college and beyond.
There are endless opportunities for academic enrichment, ranging from no-cost options to fee-based programs. Just keep in mind that it’s only worth doing if you also enjoy it — the academic enrichment activities you choose should reflect your specific interests.
Here are a few common ways that high school students seek academic enrichment.
Platforms like Coursera, edX, and MIT OpenCourseWare offer a plethora of courses — many of them free — that you can take at your own pace. These courses can supplement classroom learning and allow you to explore subjects not offered at your school. For example, a student interested in music can enroll in Introduction to Music Theory from Berklee College of Music on edX or Music as Biology: What We Like to Hear and Why from Duke University on Coursera.
Reading books, magazines, and articles related to your interests can significantly enhance your knowledge base. A student interested in environmental science might read “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson, “The End of Nature” by Bill McKibben, and “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau, among hundreds of other books and periodicals related to the topic. IvyWise even provides reading lists to help you delve deeper into your chosen subjects.
Engaging in practical activities, such as building projects or conducting experiments, can provide valuable learning experiences. A student who enjoys illustration or photography might submit their work to an art show or competition. Other ideas include participating in a science fair or robotics competition, submitting a poem or short story to a literary magazine, starting a school or community garden — the possibilities are endless!
Working with a mentor on a research project can be a great way to explore a specific interest. At IvyWise, we offer a research mentorship program that pairs students with Ph.D. mentors to complete a research project and paper. Students who participate in independent research projects like this can often submit their work to conferences, competitions, or academic journals.
Summer programs offer a unique opportunity to explore academic interests, develop new skills, and gain valuable experiences outside the traditional classroom setting. These programs can range from intensive courses in STEM to creative arts, leadership, and language immersion. Participating in summer programs allows students to engage with peers who share similar interests, work with experienced instructors, and even experience college life firsthand.
You can showcase your academic enrichment activities in various parts of your college applications:
Academic enrichment is a valuable way to explore your interests and stand out in the college admissions process. By seeking out opportunities beyond the classroom, you can develop a deeper understanding of your chosen subjects and demonstrate your intellectual curiosity to admissions officers. However, it can be challenging to narrow down your options.
IvyWise college admissions counselors are experts at helping students identify opportunities that will strengthen their profile in an authentic way. Our college admissions counseling program is customized to your unique needs and goals.
Facebook rebranded and changed its mission to create the digital world of the future — all on the blockchain. NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are growing in popularity, and collecting digital art has become a favorite pastime of many crypto enthusiasts.
When most students think of tutoring, academic support and test preparation are likely the first two things to come to mind. While both are undoubtedly important components of tutoring, students also have the opportunity to receive guidance on independent projects through mentorship.
Most savvy college applicants these days are finely tuned into the fact that it takes a lot more than being an accomplished, high-achieving student to gain a coveted acceptance to the nation’s top institutions. But how exactly do you develop the best applicant profile?
