Richard says: This is criminally underrated. A paid job (cashier, lifeguard, lawn mowing) demonstrates maturity. A self-sourced internship (cold-emailing 50 professors to work in a lab) beats any pre-packaged program.
Richard says: The most fraudulent category. Sorting canned goods for two hours a month is not service. Sustained, personally driven impact is service. Tutor the same refugee student for two years. Build a garden at a food bank. Do not hop from one charity event to another. extracurricular activities richard guide
For every activity you keep, map a leadership path: Richard says: This is criminally underrated
The Common Mistake: Joining 15 clubs, holding 0 leadership roles, and burning out by October. holding 0 leadership roles
The Richard Rule: “Depth over breadth; impact over titles.”
Admissions officers and employers scan for two things: