Aiming for a good university today is like preparing a full seven-course meal. One needs to go beyond just numbers and accolades and show that they outperform their peers with an array of skillsets. You start with your GPA, then the test scores, followed by LORs, SOP, and extracurriculars ending with a dashing interview. The fact is that every walking chap in the business already has all that. So what’s the seventh element, or the cherry on top? One needs to have something more to impress the connoisseurs waiting to test you and outshine yourself among the crowd. A senior project or what’s otherwise known as a passion project is the best way to get started.

What is a senior/passion project?

A passion or senior project is typically an initiative by the student showcasing their enthusiasm and dedication towards something of their liking. One can explore the subjects of their interests by adding practicality to their subjective knowledge. There are a wide array of passion projects ranging from research papers, start-up ideas, social work, or special talents. These can usually be side activities over the weekends or the main hassle during spring break. They display the commitment, inquisitivity, and creativity of a student willing to take the initiative towards a goal. Students can also engage in such projects merely for explorative agenda, knowing precisely what they stand to gain from it. The rest of the job is implementing the skill or utilizing the experience for their future goals.

What are the types of passion projects?

• • Research – This is a terrific way to highlight dedication, commitment, and passion for a field, subject, or a topic. Furthermore, if you can get it published in a reputed journal or magazine, it highly adds to your profile building.
• • Start-ups – Making a start-up shows that you are creative, futuristic, and updated with the market demands along with out-of-the-box thinking. One can also offer great leadership qualities, team building, and a multifaceted personality ready to look to new horizons.
• • Social work – Contribution towards society shows empathy, social awareness, and commitment. Social work could be participating in cleanliness campaigns, fundraising, and educating the poor or the needy. Overall, it adds to a crucial aspect of your personality.
• • Organizing/ Hosting – When you organize or host an event of any sort, it shows confidence, command, grip, and most of all, taking the initiative, which is excellent for personality building. A reader would know that the student is not afraid of challenges and may understand tackling problems on the spot due to the development of quick thinking.
• • Apart from this, you might also consider something like an academic project highlighting the importance of a subject/topic. You may build a substantial social media following by making blogs, posts, and creative content. Lastly, you can start clubs or societies displaying your love and passion for a field.

How should one go about initiating/finding a project?

• • Know yourself – One must have good intrapersonal skills to know what they are good at or passionate about. To find that out, start with the subjects or topics of interest, the natural skills you possess, something that catches your eye, perhaps a matter of concern, or something unique to yourself.
• • Brainstorm – Seek to find ideas that are different and unique. Significant time is to be allotted while thinking about a project. Try making a list of 3 and work your way to selecting the one which suits you. You may search for ideas from a source but remember that a tailor-made suit fits the best, meaning that an original would always make you look a notch above!
• • Have a plan of execution – Always have a reason and an end goal you wish to achieve. This way, you set your goals and work accordingly in a systemized format. This would also help keep you focused and not deviate from the object of interest.
• • Know your limits and resources – Remember not to overshoot! Unearthing a task too big to achieve might not lead to success, instead, start small and aim big. Show your growth by moving one step at a time, knowing the time, money, skills, and other viable resources in your arsenal.
• • Take help where needed – It is always a plus point to associate yourself with professionals and people already in the field. This way, you get help finding and streamlining your vision. Working with them would also help provide you with valuable insight related to the subject.

Here is a list of subject-wise Ideas for inspiration
Marketing:

• • Undertake a marketing campaign for any local business/start-up
• • Digital-Marketing freelancing
• • Working with an NGO or social cause and making creative posters, pamphlets, flexes etc.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math):

• • Research projects with a professor on a topic of your interest
• • Becoming a T.A, Teaching Assistant at your university
• • Innovation and Creation of something new in the field
• • Designing a new and affordable tech that can be used by all (like using plastic bottles in wall building, self-luminous lamps, etc.

Social Causes:

• • Launch a cleanliness/awareness campaign
• • Make a detailed documentary including facts and figures about an environmental issue, highlighting the ways and importance of tacking it
• • Making a scheme to feed the stray that is both sustainable and eco friendly
• • Organizing a team of undergraduates to help teach children from poor backgrounds
• • Start a donation camp or charity work for the needy
• • Organizing skill-share or skill-building workshops

Economics:

• • Working at a local wholesale/ factory/ chain and making statistical records of the business
• • Creation of a Start-Up or Business from scratch
• • Accounting and bookkeeping for a local store/business

Artistry:

• • Creation of graffiti on old and weary walls in your society highlighting a message (after getting it approved)
• • Make murals or props to decorate your neighborhood or school
• • Making artistic eco-friendly products to sell
• • Organize an Art exhibition based on a theme for delivering a message for a social cause

Politics:

• • Working on a political campaign and preparing speeches
• • Journaling for a periodical
• • Writing articles about a bill/scheme/proposal and publishing it on a social forum
• • Organize a mock parliamentary hearing or a mini public

Medicine:

• • Collaborate with a health professional and organize a free health check-up
• • Collaborate with a pharmaceutical company and distribute free drugs for basic healthcare in red zones
• • Visit healthcare centres and make a detailed report about their hygiene, safety standards, quality of treatment/equipment, the efficiency of the staff, etc.

Sports and Fitness:

• • Volunteer to coach players in the sport you are good at
• • Organize hikes, trails, cyclothon/marathons, yoga sessions
• • Launch a fitness awareness campaign
• • (specifically for sports psychology students) Try practicing and giving basic advice backed by a professional to sportspersons