Start a New School Club or Initiative
Identify a gap and build something from scratch
Why It Matters
Founding something from nothing is one of the most impressive things on any application. It shows entrepreneurial thinking, initiative, and leadership - qualities every Canadian university actively seeks.
How to Start
Identify something missing at your school - a mental health club, coding club, cultural association, or sustainability initiative. Get a teacher sponsor, write a constitution, and recruit members.
Commitment
- High commitment: several hours a week, often with evenings, weekends or travel.
- Best starting grade: G8
- G8 is ideal - founding in G8 and leading through G12 gives you a 4-year story of growth.
Programs It Supports
- All Programs - especially Business, Engineering, Education, Social Work
Similar extracurriculars
- Student Council – Represent and lead your school community
- Competitive Debate Team – Argue both sides of complex issues competitively
- Model United Nations (MUN) – Simulate UN committees and debate global issues
- City Youth Council or Advisory Board – Advise municipal government on youth issues
- Ontario Youth Parliament / Provincial Youth Parliament – Simulate provincial parliamentary democracy
- Peer Tutoring Coordinator – Organize and lead the school's peer tutoring program
- Morning Announcements Anchor / Producer – Run the daily broadcasts for the entire school
- Mental Health Awareness Week Chair – Organize workshops, speakers, and events focused on wellness
- Graduation / Prom Committee Chair – Plan the biggest and most expensive event of high school