Sophomore College Counseling Blog | The Dunham School | Private PreK-12 | Baton Rouge, LA

Beyond the Resume: How to Build Your Unique "Brand" for College Admissions

October 2025

As a sophomore, you've probably heard a lot about building a strong college resume. You know you need good grades, challenging classes, and a list of extracurriculars. But a resume is just a list. To really stand out in the competitive world of college admissions, you need to build a compelling and unique "brand."

Think of your brand as your personal story—the cohesive narrative that connects all your interests and accomplishments. It’s what you stand for, what you’re passionate about, and what you’re a natural expert in. This isn't about being a one-dimensional person; it's about being a "T-shaped" student.

The "T-Shaped" Student: What It Means

A T-shaped student has a broad range of interests and skills (the top of the "T") but is also an expert in one or two deep, specific areas (the vertical part of the "T").

Colleges love T-shaped students because they are both well-rounded and have a clear passion. They are not looking for someone who is just "good at everything." They are looking for someone who will contribute to their campus community in a meaningful way.

Your job in tenth grade is to start building that deep "T."

Cultivating Your "Spike" in Sophomore Year

In ninth grade, you likely explored a variety of clubs and activities. Now is the time to go deeper. Here's how you can cultivate your "spike" and build your unique brand:

1. Go Beyond Joining—Seek Leadership:
Instead of just being a member of a club, look for ways to take on more responsibility. Run for a formal officer position, but don't stop there. Volunteer to lead a specific project, organize an event, or mentor a younger student. These roles show initiative, responsibility, and commitment.

2. Start a Personal Project:
College admissions officers love to see passion projects because they are a pure demonstration of a student's initiative and drive. This is an activity you do on your own time, outside of school.

• Are you passionate about coding? Create your own app or website.
• Do you love to write? Start a blog or a short story collection.
• Are you interested in community service? Organize a fundraising drive for a cause you care about.
• Are you a great artist? Open an online shop or create a portfolio of your work.

3. Turn Your Talents into Tangible Results:
Whatever your interests are, find a way to make them measurable. Did you volunteer at an animal shelter? Tally your hours and ask the manager for a note about your impact. Did you play an instrument? Find a way to perform at a local event. Did you have a summer job? Get a letter of recommendation from your boss about your work ethic.

Your Brand is Your Story

Your brand is what will make your college essays and interviews come alive. Instead of just listing your achievements, you'll be able to tell a story about them.

For example, a student interested in environmental science could tell a story that links their participation in the school's recycling club, their personal project of building a vertical garden at home, and their summer job at a local farm. This cohesive narrative shows a genuine and deep commitment to a passion, which is far more powerful than a long list of unconnected activities.

So this fall, as you begin to think about next year’s classes and get involved in school activities, ask yourself: "How can I go deeper?" By doing so, you're not just adding to a resume—you're building a unique and authentic brand that will help you stand out from the crowd.