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Math students have no shortage of options when it comes to college applications. From the best STEM schools to the top mathematics competitions, math is essential to all areas of academia. 

There's also no shortage of STEM students applying to the top schools in the United States, many of whom are top performers for their grades. In order to stand out in the college admissions process, high school students need to enhance every section of their college applications. 

Passion projects are one of the strongest ways to bolster one's admissions outcomes. A compelling passion project can set the foundation for a stellar college application. To help students gain the edge in their academic journey, here are InGenius Prep’s insights on creating passion projects for mathematics majors, with five examples to get you started. 

Want your student’s application reviewed by an expert? Book a free strategy call with an advisor today!

What Are Passion Projects?

Passion projects are personal, signature projects that students conduct independently. They provide a strong foundation for a college application—becoming the centerpiece of a student’s profile. Extracurricular activities, academics, Application Persona: the ideal passion project supports all of these aspects in a student’s application.

Combined with a compelling Application Persona, passion projects can make a student's application unique, memorable, and a strong contender for admission. While the Application Persona provides the theme, the passion project provides the proof. A well-conducted project is the evidence that a student uses to prove their eligibility for admission, and even a slight edge in that regard can spell the difference between admission and deferral. 

How to Start Your First Passion Project

There is no universal model for passion projects; the best ones are unique to each student. The top U.S. schools have ideal applicants, but no two applicants are exactly alike. Each would bring their own strengths and contributions to an institution. Likewise, each student's project should be unique. Here's how to get started crafting your own math project:

Find the Passion in Your Area of Interest: Math students don't have to worry about which major to choose. However, strategizing your applications is not as easy as just identifying yourself as a STEM student. If you're already interested in math, identify the specific areas you're interested in. What makes you passionate about math? Why did you choose this area of study? Dig into your reasons for studying math to find your angle. 

Consider Your Application Persona: As mentioned previously, the Application Persona is the theme that binds your application together. Once you have your major, concentration, and passion figured out, start thinking about how you would label yourself. The best Application Personas are short, sweet, and memorable. Think of your Application Persona as your unique tagline. For example, "An economics major interested in bringing affordable housing to his community." 

Create Ideas that Align with Your Profile: Once you have an Application Persona, start thinking about math passion projects that would relate to that persona. Projects that showcase the skills and passions your profile communicates. If your persona relates to economics, a project could be creating a mock budget for your city. If it's about astronomy, you could chart the movements of planetary bodies from your home. You know your passions. Now, find a project that explores them. 

Ask for Guidance from Mentors: Though passion projects are independent, they don't need to be done alone. On the contrary, if possible, recruit peers and professionals to help you in your studies. Explore your passions, but remember that Admission Officers also take note of leadership and community involvement. Asking for guidance from math teachers can also turn your project into a learning experience—showing your interest in development and potential for growth. 

Passion Projects Ideas for Math Students

To help students along with their ideations, here are some passion project examples. Use these to think of your own projects, keeping in mind your own interests and how to align them with your application.

1. Geometry

Application Persona: “A mathematics student interested in civil engineering and city planning.”

Passion Project Idea: Create a scale diorama of your city, constructed in classical American architectural stylings (colonial/ Georgian). (Design around budget constraints to add a financial/economic angle to the project.) 

2. Probability

Application Persona: “A mathematics student interested in the market trends of the post-covid stock market.”

Passion Project Idea: With data analysis, study the outcomes of economic recessions across American (or global) history and calculate the probability of market outcomes for the next several years following the COVID-19 pandemic. (This can be an ongoing project to test the veracity of their research throughout high school.)

3. Computer Science

Application Persona: “A mathematics student interested in the efficacy of graphics processing.”

Passion Project Idea: Test the effects of thermal-throttling on popular graphics processing units, finding ways to optimize performance while saving on energy. Compare the results of low and high wattage power draw on performance to find optimal volting and clock speeds. (From a business angle, draw plans to present findings to increase efficiency for A.I. corporations.)  

4. Physics

Application Persona: “A mathematics student interested in improving the safety of car designs.” 

Passion Project Idea: Search your city and reference traffic accident reports to find the areas where the most dangerous accidents are likely to occur. Cross-reference prior accidents and use models to calculate kinetic force delivered on the driver and passengers in accident scenarios. (For a community/activist angle, present findings to the city council to improve safety conditions to make a positive impact on your community.) 

5. Math Education

Application Persona: “A math student passionate about teaching and inspiring others to learn.”

Passion Project Idea: Create a math coaching class/ tutoring club to test different methods for learning and applying mathematics. Aim to improve the results of other students. Recruit peers to do the same—improving the academics of their community on a larger scale. 

How to Apply Passion Projects to Your College Application

Passion projects should not just be one of your extracurriculars. They should inform the argument for your entire candidacy. Think of the values of your dream school; imagine what an Admissions Officer would look for in their ideal applicant. Passion, determination, leadership skills, community outreach, and the specific values your dream school instills in its students. Highlight the areas of your passion project that show off those characteristics. 

When creating your application, think of all the ways you would weave these traits into each section—from your personal statements to your volunteer work. Nothing goes unnoticed in the admissions office. Make sure every section of your application supports one another. 

To learn more, read our blog, “How to Do a Passion Project for College Applications.”

Enhancing your Passion Project with Expert Guidance

Students can turn any idea into a passion project. As long as the project aligns with their interests, conducting a passion project will yield better admissions results over applicants who have not. 

For math majors, being a high-performing STEM student alone won’t be enough to make an impression on your Admissions Officers. You need to set yourself apart—explore the aspects that make you a unique candidate. Create a research project only you would do. Lean into what makes you different, explore your passion, and make it a signature on your college applications. 

To start your own passion projects with guidance from leading professionals in your field, visit the Leadership and Innovation Lab to get started!

For more guidance on the college admissions process, book a free consultation call with an InGenius Prep advisor today!