DIY Summer Project: Build Your Own Opportunity

If you’re aiming to get into a top college, you probably already know that the way you spend your free time is a major factor admissions officers consider when reviewing your application. Summers are 2-3 months of free time, and planning how you’ll make use of that time should be one of your top priorities. Can’t find a summer program that fits your interests (or budget)? No problem. Some of the most impressive summer experiences aren’t tied to a formal program—they’re self-driven projects that show initiative, creativity, and real-world impact. 

In a previous blog post, we discussed the importance of authenticity in passion projects, but another essential pillar of developing a passion project is documentation. Colleges want to see proof of your project’s impact, which you can document by creating a website, publishing your research findings, and much more. Today, we’ll discuss some ideas to get your project started. 

Let’s dive into some ideas to get you started:

1. Start a Blog, Podcast, or YouTube Channel

Chances are, you’re already familiar with social media—rather than anxiously worrying about your weekly screen time report from consuming social media content, consider contributing to the conversation thoughtfully. 

If you’re into writing, storytelling, or deep-diving into niche topics, this is your moment. Some students have started blogs on climate policy, AI ethics, historical deep dives, and even sports analytics. Others have launched podcasts interviewing professionals in their field of interest. Not only does this let you explore your passion, but it also helps you build a portfolio. Plus, a platform like this is all the documentation you need to prove your impact. 

Example: A student interested in urban planning started a blog about walkability in their city, featuring interviews with local policymakers. Another teen passionate about film created a YouTube channel reviewing international cinema—now they have thousands of subscribers.

2. Launch a Community Initiative

You don’t need to wait for permission to make a difference. If there’s an issue in your school or neighborhood that bothers you, do something about it. Colleges love to see students who make an impact in their community. Volunteering is great, but what if there are no existing organizations that address the issues in your community you’re most passionate about? 

If you want to make an impact, consider starting your own volunteer program, workshop series, or advocacy group in your community. Think about what skills you have that could benefit others. As you develop your project, be sure to document your progress. Create a website or social media account for the initiative that includes photos of your work, details your accomplishments, and describes your mission statement. If you recruit others in your efforts—a Vice President, Director of Outreach, Treasurer—you can add everyone’s names and profiles to your website (including yours, the Founder) along with a description of their responsibilities.  

Example: A student who loved coding started free coding workshops for younger kids in her city. Another student passionate about sustainability launched a composting initiative at their school, leading to actual policy changes.

3. Conduct Independent Research

Who says you need an internship to do research? If you’re curious about something, design an experiment, analyze existing data, or conduct interviews with experts. If you need a mentor, reach out to professors who have published research similar to the kind you’re fascinated by and ask if they would mentor you through the process. You can even publish your findings in youth-led journals like the Journal of Emerging Investigators or Curieux Academic Journal—another great way to include documented evidence of your hard work.

Example: One student analyzed social media algorithms and their impact on mental health by surveying high school students and comparing data. Another built a machine-learning model to predict local weather patterns and got recognition from a national science fair.

4. Create an App, Website, or Product

If you’re into tech, business, or design, consider building something people can use. Whether it’s a personal finance app for teens, an AI tool for analyzing Shakespearean language, or a website that curates local volunteer opportunities, the key is to create something useful and innovative. There are several ways to document your work here. If you think the product could have a major impact, consider submitting it to a competition like Blue Ocean or the Conrad Challenge. Alternatively, you could make the product open source and even link to it in your college application. 

Example: One student created a budgeting app for first-generation college students after seeing their older sibling struggle with financial literacy. Another built a website that helps match high school students with free summer programs—because they saw how hard it was to find them!

5. Teach Yourself a New Skill and Build a Portfolio

Always wanted to learn graphic design, video editing, 3D modeling, or a new coding language? Now’s the time. Use your summer to level up in something you’ve always wanted to learn, and then apply that skill to real projects. If you’d like to get a certificate of completion to add some credibility to your resume, consider signing up for a platform like Udemy or Coursera, which host courses led by experts in a variety of disciplines. 

Example: A student taught themselves Python and data visualization, then analyzed sports statistics and posted insights on a blog. Another learned video production and created a mini-documentary about the history of a local landmark.

Why DIY Projects Matter

Colleges don’t just care about what you do—they care about why you did it and how you pulled it off. A DIY summer project shows that you’re self-motivated, creative, and willing to take initiative. Plus, you get something tangible to showcase in applications: a research paper, an app, a website that documents the impact of your project. 

And the best part? No application fees, no rejections—just you creating something meaningful.