Extracurricular & Leadership
Grades and test scores open the door. Extracurriculars and capstone projects are what pull you through it.
The Foundation
Perfect grades are no longer enough. With over 26,000 high schools in America, there are more valedictorians, debate captains, and varsity athletes than seats at elite universities. What admissions officers really want to know is: what distinctive contribution will you bring to campus?
A strong capstone project answers that question. It becomes the foundation of the strongest entries on a student's Activities List and the backbone for unforgettable college essays. For competitive admissions, a capstone can be a decisive advantage.
A successful capstone project:
Student Success Stories
Working closely with a Whetstone mentor, these students developed lasting skills, made a real difference in their communities, and built projects that speak for themselves.
→ University of Pennsylvania
Project: Second Start
Long co-founded a nonprofit that equips newly released individuals with phones and connects them with volunteers who guide them toward housing, job training, and mental health resources — reducing their risk of reincarceration.
No commitment. Just an honest conversation about where your student stands and what's possible.
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