Personal Enrichment
Project (PEP) Program
Beyond the Activities List
OVERVIEW
Structured guidance to take a project from concept to launch.
This service is for motivated students whose interests don't fit traditional extracurriculars, or who thrive with independent work that lets them think creatively and deepen their skills. Independent projects also signal intellectual curiosity, initiative, and drive to admissions, while showing what a student brings to an academic department. Past projects include a Congressional App Challenge app, an online teen journal, a nonprofit launch, and a graphic novel headed for publication.
What to Expect in the Program
HOW IT WORKS
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Current freshmen (second-semester only), sophomores, and juniors.
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Over a three-month period, students will work in a weekly 1:1 capacity with a PEP advisor to:
Identify their specific area(s) of interest.
Conceive a project that allows them to deepen those interests.
Develop a structured plan and timeline, identify incremental goals and deadlines, and define
a culminating deliverable.Take action to launch their project.
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We offer this service during three windows: Feb 1–May 1, May 15–Aug 15, and Sept 15–Dec 15. If additional time is needed beyond the three-month period, advisors can work with families to extend the duration of the project.
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One 60-minute launch meeting to review specific interests and determine an area of focus for the project.
Ten weekly 30-minute sessions to check in about progress and refine tasks.
One 60-minute closing meeting to debrief key achievements and strategize next steps (if applicable).
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Please express your interest via this form. Families will have an initial call to discuss the student’s background and project ideas in order to be matched with an advisor. Advisors will coordinate a launch meeting. Afterwards, families complete the service agreement and remit payment to officially begin the program.