How Adventure Treks Strengthens Your College Resume
The moment students enter high school, the pressure to start “preparing for college” is on. Between AP classes, SAT prep, extracurriculars, and summer programs, teenagers are often overwhelmed by how much they’re supposed to do just to compete in today’s crowded admissions landscape.
So how can students rise above the noise?
By showing up as their authentic, passionate, and resilient selves.
What colleges are really looking for
We’ve spoken with high school counselors, college advisors, and even admissions officers, and the message is clear and consistent: Colleges want to see more than grades and test scores. They want to understand who students are as people—what drives them, how they handle challenges, and what makes them thrive.
In a conversation with one college advisor, we learned that:
Admissions officers want students who are consistent, committed, and real. It’s not about cramming your resume with random activities—it’s about showing passion, perseverance, and growth.
Authenticity matters most in essays and interviews, where students can reflect on meaningful experiences. Demonstrating long-term engagement (i.e., consistency) matters, whether it’s through a part-time job, volunteering at the same local food pantry, or returning to a favorite summer program year after year.
How Adventure Treks fits into the college prep picture
Authenticity is where Adventure Treks alumni shine. Our students build strong, authentic communities while engaging in fun outdoor challenges. Every summer, they:
- Collaborate and problem-solve in groups
- Take on leadership roles and support their peers
- Persevere through tough hikes, inclement weather, and new physical and social environments
- Reflect on personal growth and a real sense of belonging
And they love it. Their newfound passions—combined with meaningful growth—translate powerfully on college applications.
Real skills and real stories
Whether it’s summiting Mount Shastina or St. Helens, navigating a Norwegian fjord by sea kayak, or cooking dinner for a group after two days of climbing at Oregon’s famous Smith Rock, AT students dig deep and develop independence, an optimistic mindset, and resilience. They learn to adapt, support others, and keep going even when things get tough—exactly the traits colleges want. And exactly the traits young people need in order to succeed later in life.
Their stories often become the foundation of remarkable college essays. Their essays don’t get lost in the noise because that authenticity of meaningful, real-life experience shines through.
What the experts say
Daniella Friedman, a college advisor and Adventure Treks alumni parent, shared this insight:
“Adventure Treks is a worthy experience in and of itself. Students learn grit, teamwork, and leadership, all while having fun and making lifelong friendships in the great outdoors. At the same time, participating in Adventure Treks can strengthen a student’s college applications in many ways, including enhancing their activity list and college resume, giving them something to write about in their personal statement and supplemental college essays, and obtaining a strong letter of recommendation from an AT instructor.”
She adds:
“Outdoor experiences like Adventure Treks demonstrate to a college that a student is down-to-earth, adventurous, and willing to embrace challenge. But colleges also like to see that students have “stick-to-it-iveness” and real passion. So while one summer spent backpacking with Adventure Treks looks good, several summers spent backpacking with Adventure Treks looks even better.”
View more of Daniella’s advice here and here.
Bottom line
Adventure Treks helps students become the kind of young people colleges want to admit:
- Confident in who they are
- Resilient in the face of challenge
- Grounded in real experiences and communities, not just resume padding
- Authentic in how they express their values and passions
For students wondering how to stand out in a sea of applicants, the answer may be less about adding more activities—and more about going deeper in the ones that really matter to you!