Pick one thing from this list where you see an immediate opportunity.
1. Fix something that’s broken.
2. Lead people waiting to be led.
3. Help someone who needs it.
4. Do something that needs to get done.
5. Learn a lot about something that interests you.
6. Solve an interesting problem that doesn’t have a clear right answer.
7. Commit your time and energy to something that’s important to you.
8. Take responsibility for something.
9. Make the best of a challenging or unfortunate circumstance.
10. Share your knowledge or talent with people who will benefit.
Then do it again, the same item or a different one. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
When you apply to college, you’ll have a track record as a fixer, initiator, leader, teacher, problem-solver, etc.
It’s not a formula, but it’s close.