How College Admissions Officers Evaluate Passion Projects
FREE WEBINAR
June 3, 2026 | 5:30 PM ET
Ben Gutierrez
Lead Counselor
Former Admissions Officer at Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins University
In this webinar, we’ll explore how to create impactful, unique projects that showcase your interests, skills, and leadership. Whether you’re into STEM, the arts, social impact, or entrepreneurship, we’ll provide expert tips to help you craft a project that truly wows.
The Blueprint for Impact
How to design unique, high-impact passion projects that authentically showcase your skills and leadership across STEM, the arts, entrepreneurship, or social impact.
Inside the Admissions Office
How college admissions officers actually evaluate student-led initiatives and what it takes to align your project with your ultimate college goals.
Translating Action into Applications
Strategies for leveraging your project's journey and achievements to craft compelling essays and application narratives that set you apart from the competition.
June 3, 2026 | 5:30 PM ET
Lead Counselor
Former Admissions Officer at Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins University
Ben Gutierrez
Meet Your Host
Ben Gutierrez has over ten years of experience guiding students through college admissions, with expertise in selective universities. He has served on admissions and scholarship committees at Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins, where he gained insight into what top schools value. Ben helps students—especially those interested in STEM, pre-health, and research—develop standout academic and extracurricular profiles. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Vanderbilt and an M.L.A. from Johns Hopkins.
98%
of Empowerly students gain acceptance to a Top 100 school
Higher college admission rates than the average student
11x
Customer satisfaction rating from 400+ reviews on TrustPilot
4.9
More 1-on-1 time than with a school counselor
25x
Contact Info
© 2026 Empowerly, Inc. All rights reserved.