Every admissions cycle, students ask the same question—just dressed up a little differently:

“Is what I’m doing enough?”

Right now, that question usually shows up as anxiety about prestige:

Is my internship impressive enough?
Should I start a nonprofit?
Do I need national awards to be competitive?

Here’s the truth admissions officers won’t always say out loud:

Depth now matters far more than prestige.

And that shift is reshaping how strong applications are built.

📋 The End of the “Checklist” Era ✅

For years, students believed there was a hidden formula:

One leadership role
One impressive internship
One service project
One spike activity

That mindset led to résumés filled with short-term commitments and surface-level involvement.

Admissions officers noticed.

Today, many readers describe these applications the same way: “Busy, but hollow.”

Colleges don’t need students who collect activities.

They want students who invest in them.

What “Depth” Actually Looks Like

Depth isn’t about doing the same thing for four years just to look consistent.

It’s about

Increasing responsibility
Growing skill and independence ↗️
Taking initiative without being told

Examples of real depth:

A student who starts as a volunteer, then trains others, then redesigns the program
A club member who notices a problem and builds a solution 🧑🏻‍🔧
A passion project that evolves because the student’s thinking evolves

None of this requires prestige.

🔍 Why Admissions Officers Care About Depth

Depth answers the questions colleges actually care about:

How will this student engage on our campus?
Will they stick with challenges when things get hard?
Do they create value, or just consume opportunities?

A student who goes deep in one area signals maturity, curiosity, and resilience. 💪

A student who jumps from activity to activity signals uncertainty—even if the names sound impressive.

The Problem With Chasing “Impressive”

Prestige-focused applications often suffer from the same issue: They’re externally motivated.

Admissions readers can tell when an activity exists because it looks good rather than because it mattered.

That doesn’t mean selective programs are bad; it means intent matters more than labels.

A local commitment done deeply almost always outperforms a flashy experience done shallowly.

📝 How This Shows Up in Essays and Recommendations

Depth doesn’t just strengthen your activities list; it transforms the rest of your application. ✨

Students with depth:

Write essays with real insight and specificity
Have recommenders who can speak concretely about impact
Reflect thoughtfully on failure, growth, and responsibility

These applications feel cohesive.

Not because they’re curated—but because they’re honest.

A Quick Gut Check

If you’re unsure whether something is “worth it,” ask:

Am I learning more over time?
Am I trusted with more responsibility?
Would I still do this if colleges never saw it?

If the answer is yes—you’re exactly where you should be. 👍

College admissions right now rewards students who build something meaningful over time, not those who chase the loudest names.

Depth isn’t flashy.

But it’s memorable. 💡

And in a process where readers are searching for substance, that matters more than ever.

If your activities don’t sound impressive on paper yet—but they matter deeply to you—that’s not a weakness. It’s usually the beginning of a strong application.

⚖️ Why Doing One Thing Well Matters More Than Ever in College Admissions