Updated: 9th October, 2026 TL;DR Founding a club or startup and doing research show different strengths, and neither is the right pick for every student. Founding something shows drive and leadership. Research shows depth and focus. Either one only helps if you stick with it, and the Common App gives you just 10 activity slots, so each entry has to earn its place. If you want depth with expert guidance, look at the Lumiere Research Scholar Program. It pairs you 1:1 with a P
