Regardless of a teen's plans after they graduate from high school, summer is a good time to explore interests and strengths, and participate in opportunities that promote personal growth and self-discovery. For the college-bound student who is applying to selective colleges, summer activities as resume-builders has become an expectation.
Why does participating in summer activities matter in college admissions? With the increase in holistic admissions, extracurricular activities demonstrate to colleges the initiative the student takes to find opportunities that align with their passions. They give students a chance to establish the traits colleges look for such as leadership and impact. And summer is generally when students have the time to explore these, without the time constraints involved when school is in session.
Summer program enrollment is opening up now, and deadlines for some are looming, so even though summer is months away, it's not too soon to start exploring. This blog covers summer options and why a student would choose each.
Summer Camps and Programs
Spanning from one day to several weeks, these are typically opportunities to delve further into a subject matter of interest. Often taught by university professors or other industry experts, students can learn more about their level of interest in the subject, meet other like-minded students and possibly make connections with professionals in the field. When taught on a college campus, students often stay in the residence halls and get a taste of what campus life is like. Some university-based programs offer college credit.
Considerations
The majority of these programs carry a fee, sometimes well into the thousands of dollars. Most also offer financial aid to those who qualify. When deciding whether the fee is worth the expenditure, consider the reputation of the program, what will be offered and any return on investment in the form of college credit or connections made.
As a general rule, the more selective the program and/or if the program is free of charge, the more a college admissions office will take note of the experience on a students list of extracurriculars. For example, if the program advertises a maximum number of seats and requires materials such as transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation or essays, it is at least somewhat selective, so being chosen amongst other applicants is noteworthy. If the same is true for a free or very low cost program, it is even more commendable since it will not fall under a pay-for-play catagory. On the other hand, if there is a fee in addition to very little screening, the program would receive a lower ranking on the scale in terms of college admissions. As a note, a certain number of selective programs target low-income families, so be sure to check the eligibility requirements before applying.
All this being said, if a student will benefit from the program in other ways (learning, self-discovery, college credit, new connections) then the program may still worthwhile, even if not selective.
Internships and Research
These two opportunities are among the most coveted by high school students because they give them a chance to work with professionals in the field and show the impact of their involvement on real life projects. They are also the most difficult to obtain.
Internships
One of the best ways to secure these is through a connection the student already has. Do their parents or parent's friends work for an industry that could use some summer or year-round help? Often the student is given the most basic of duties but the exposure to the environment (and possibility of snagging a recommendation letter) are invaluable.
Don't know someone who needs an intern? Students can use LinkedIn to their advantage by creating an account and reaching out directly to industry professionals. This is a numbers game and often requires lots of cold-calling but if done correctly, can land an opportunity.
Finally, there are a few national-level advertised internships. These are very selective and should be sought out early.
Research
Most research is carried out by undergrad and graduate students, so high school students can feel a bit left out when searching for these opportunities. Here are a couple of possible avenues.
Contacting a professor in the department of interest at a local college or university is one way to indentify opportunities that may exist for a high school student. If the timing is right and the professor is conducting research and could use assistance, it's possible an arrangement could be made. This not only shows initiative, but presents the chance to document involvement and impact in a real-life research setting in the student's area of interest.
Additionally, there are a few summer national research programs designed for high school students. These are highly coveted and students should get an early start in the search and application process.
Community Service
While this always adds some shine to a college application, admissions officers are most impressed when the volunteer service both aligns with the student's applicant narrative and when an impact can be demonstrated. This is often most possible when volunteers stay with the same organization over time, giving them the chance to move up and use leadership skills.
Employment
Admission officers give a lot of credit for work experience. They like the fact that being an effective employee requires the kind of skills they desire on campus, to include initiative, interpersonal skills, problem solving and discipline.
Passion Projects
Students who create their own opportunities are highly regarded by admissions officers, particularly if the opportunity aligns with the student's interests and strengths, has staying power and shows an impact. Developing something impactful starts with introspection to determine what to do, then involves researching what needs exist in a related space, followed by making a plan, soliciting help where needed, and following the steps to see it to fruition.
Sports Camps and Recruitment
Athletic camps can help students work on skill development while staying in condition. For student-athletes hoping to compete at the collegiate level, summer showcase events and recruitment camps provide critical opportunities to display their talents in front of college scouts and coaches.
Travel-Related
If the family is going on summer vacation, make it an educational trip by visiting a nearby college. Or parents can design trips that include visits to museums, national parks, historical landmarks, or cultural festivals.
Plan a cultural exchange or language-immersion travel experience to widen cultural perspectives or improve language skills.
Take part in a mission trip. Often arranged through local churches or other places of worship, students should make the most of these trips by focusing on impact. What did our group accomplish? What skills did I develop? Leadership? Problem-solving? Teamwork?
Self-reflection
A forward-thinking student will consider what qualities they want to expand upon when choosing a program, such as leadership, collaboration or intellectual curiosity. When writing essays for college applications, students will pull from their experiences to demonstrate who they are and what qualities they bring to campus. Each experience, whether during the summer or school year, offers material to write about. Taking the time to reflect on how they are demonstrating these skills in real time while participating in the experience, or shortly thereafter, will help them not only learn about themselves but will give them material to build upon for their essays.
Quality not Quantity
Today's youth are busier than ever and those who aspire to attend top universities often find themselves packing their schedules with resume-building activities. But what colleges want is depth, not breadth. They want to see a level of involvement that demonstrates impact and aligns with the student's interests and strengths. Choose activities that meet these criteria, and most importantly, are of genuine interest to the student, not just for the resume. Equally important is to allow time each summer to relax, have fun and re-charge. We all need this and high school students are no exception.
Next Steps
Students who want to make the most of their summer should start planning early. VP College Consulting works with students to identify their passion and the knowledge, skills or area of impact they want to develop, to create a summer plan. With a database of opportunities available, together we identify best fit summer options. Deadlines for some programs are as early as the beginning of the year, so appointments are encouraged as early as possible. Reach out at vicki@vpcollegeconsulting.com today.
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