At Oriel Admissions, we believe that entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful ways for students to demonstrate leadership, creativity, and initiative. For high school students who are eager to build something of their own, we provide personalized guidance that helps them move from concept to execution.
Entrepreneurial projects allow students to distinguish themselves in a meaningful way. They reflect the ability to take initiative, solve real-world problems, and make an impact. These qualities are especially attractive to highly selective universities such as Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), and the University of California, Berkeley (Haas).
Our Approach to Supporting Young Entrepreneurs
We work closely with each student to ensure they have the structure and foundational knowledge of business in order to launch a venture. Our process mirrors the key stages of starting a business and is adapted to fit the high school context:
Step 1: Idea Generation and Purpose
Students begin by identifying a problem or opportunity they care deeply about. We help refine the idea to ensure it aligns with the student’s interests, skills, and long-term goals.
Step 2: Market Research and Competitor Analysis
We teach students how to conduct research into their target market, audience behavior, and competition. Through a structured competitor analysis, they will better understand their market and where there would be an opportunity for their business.
Step 3: Business Planning and Strategy
Students learn to develop a formal business plan. This includes defining the mission or brand, outlining revenue or impact goals, creating a pricing or donation structure, and mapping out key operations.
Step 4: Product or Service Development
Students build or prototype their product or service. We guide them in identifying feedback loops, improving usability, and preparing for a real or soft launch.
Step 5: Launch and Implementation
We support students in launching their venture. This may involve setting up a website, establishing an online storefront, configuring payment systems, and testing early sales or outreach strategies.
Step 6: Marketing, Growth, and Evaluation
We help students craft marketing and branding strategies across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, or Substack. We also introduce methods for measuring traction and impact, and adjusting based on results.
Examples of Student-Led Ventures We Have Supported
Our students have launched a wide variety of ventures, including:
- Nonprofit organizations addressing educational and other societal issues
- Creative businesses based on art, design, or fashion
- Substack newsletters and personal brands
- E-commerce platforms selling handcrafted products or other products
- Social impact initiatives
Case Study: Building a Sustainable Fashion Brand from the Ground Up
One of our students, a high school freshman with a passion for the environment and fashion, as well as a knack for all things creative, had an idea: to create a clothing brand that would promote sustainable consumer habits among teens. With our guidance, she launched a business that upcycled secondhand clothing into limited-edition collections sold through her own e-commerce platform.
We began by helping her articulate the mission behind her venture. She wanted to make sustainable fashion accessible to younger audiences while raising awareness about the harmful environmental effects of fast fashion. From there, she developed a clear brand identity rooted in ethical sourcing, minimalist design, and storytelling around environmental impact.
She sourced her materials from local thrift stores, carefully selecting pieces that could be reworked into new garments. Drawing upon her knowledge of sewing and design software she designed original, creative collections, entirely transforming the secondhand clothes into original pieces.
She launched her first collection through a Shopify website that she built herself, complete with product descriptions, an “About the Brand” section, and embedded testimonials from early customers. She also created a coordinated marketing campaign through Instagram and TikTok, sharing behind-the-scenes videos of her process and the story behind each collection. Her social media strategy paid off: she quickly gained a following of over 1,500 users, which continued to grow through her consistent and engaging social media presence.
To further her impact, she identified a nonprofit that focused on environmental education and donated a portion of her profits to support their programs.
When applying to college, this experience provided a compelling narrative for her personal statement and for her application as a whole. Her story stood out to admissions committees at several highly selective schools not only because of what she built, but because of the clarity of purpose and the learning and growth that came with running a business.
Why Student Ventures Matter in College Admissions
Colleges are not simply looking for students who succeed in traditional academic and extracurricular tracks. They are seeking individuals who are passionate and who are able to make an impact on their community. Having the determination to identify real-world problems and take initiative to solve them by launching an original venture shows maturity, creativity, and resilience, all qualities that admissions officers value.
Interested in Learning More?
At Oriel Admissions, we are proud to have worked with students to gain admissions to the most selective universities in the world. For our entrepreneurial students, we offer support at every stage of building their venture. With personalized mentorship and expert guidance, we help students to create for-profit businesses and non-profit ventures that reflect their passions and add value to their college applications.
Contact us today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.
