Let’s be real, Bulldogs. Everyone has “Member of Key Club” or “JV Volleyball” on their resume. And while those are great, are they going to make an admissions officer at your dream school pause and say, “Whoa, wait a second”?
Probably not.
Junior year is “crunch time.” It’s your last real chance to start something meaningful before applications are due. We found a viral strategy that breaks down three specific activities that actually move the needle because they show initiative, impact, and leadership—not just attendance.
Here is the complete list of extracurricular power moves you can start this weekend.
1. Start a “Micro-Business” (Solve a Real Problem)
Admissions officers see thousands of students who “participated” in clubs. They see very few who built something from scratch.
The Strategy: Don’t just “tutor.” Start a specialized service. Instead of being a generic tutor, identify a specific struggle. Are middle schoolers failing Algebra I? Are elementary kids struggling with reading?
How to do it:
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Pick a Niche: “Coding for Middle Schoolers” or “Spanish Conversation Partner” sounds way more impressive than “Tutor.”
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Market Yourself: Use Canva to make a simple, professional flyer.
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Get Clients: Don’t just post on Instagram. Go to the local library, community center, or even ask former teachers to recommend you.
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Track Your Data: This is the secret sauce. Keep a spreadsheet. “Helped 10 students raise their grade from a C to an A” is a killer essay line.
2. Launch a Community Advocacy Project
Volunteering is good. Advocacy is better. Advocacy means you aren’t just serving soup; you’re trying to change the recipe.
The Strategy: Find a hyper-local issue and annoy the right people (politely) until it changes.
Project Ideas:
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Tech for Seniors: Partner with a local senior center to teach a “Smartphones 101” class.
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Community Garden: Find an abandoned plot or a corner of the school and get permission to plant vegetables for a local food pantry.
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Mental Health Campaign: Don’t just make posters. Organize a “De-stress Week” during finals with specific workshops and bring in a speaker.
The “Level Up” Move: Present your results to the City Council or the School Board. Standing at a podium presenting data to adults shows massive maturity and confidence.
3. Get “Certified” (Prove Your Skills)
Anyone can say they know how to code or take photos. A certificate from a recognized organization proves it. This turns a hobby into a credential.
Top Certifications for High Schoolers:
🚑 Lifeguarding & CPR
This isn’t just for summer jobs; it shows you can handle high-pressure situations.
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Where to go: Check the American Red Cross or our local YMCA.
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Why it matters: It’s a literal “life or death” responsibility. That looks great on a resume.
💻 Coding & IT
Don’t just watch YouTube tutorials. Get a certificate that carries weight.
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Google IT Support Professional Certificate: You can take this on Coursera. It’s recognized by employers (and colleges).
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Kode With Klossy: An incredible (and free!) summer camp and community for girls and gender-diverse students to learn code. Check them out here.
📸 Photography & Design
Love taking photos for the ‘gram? Go pro.
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Adobe Certified Professional: If you know Photoshop or Lightroom, take the exam. It proves you have industry-standard skills.
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Youth Programs: Look at the International Center of Photography (ICP) for teen academies. Even if you can’t go to NYC, they often have online resources or inspiration for portfolio building.
📝 The Bottom Line
Colleges don’t want a “well-rounded” student who does a little bit of everything poorly. They want a “spiky” student—someone who is really, really good at one or two specific things.
Pick one of these three paths this week. Start the business. Plan the project. Book the class.
Go Bulldogs! 🐾
