Though it’s early spring, it’s not too soon to begin planning for summer. An increasing number of colleges now examine how students use their summer months as part of the overall college application. This doesn’t mean you should cram as much activity as possible into your summer, but it is important to consider using your summer months meaningfully.
For sophomores and juniors, it is especially worthwhile to plan two or three “High Value” summer activities. You need not spend a lot of money on high cost “pay to play” on-campus programs. Often, the most impressive summer activities are the ones closest to home that are low cost, or even free. So, what can you do to make the most of your summer?
#1: Get a job!
Beyond the obvious benefit of earning money, having a job shows you are willing to take on personal responsibility- an important quality colleges look for in applicants.
It really doesn’t matter what kind of job you get- scooping ice cream or bussing tables at the seafood restaurant- all jobs show these important qualities. Plus, you’ll learn many skills that are necessary for your future success, like managing conflict, managing your time, and improving your interpersonal communication skills. Working over the summer is a great high-value activity that will not cost you a penny!
#2: Start preparing for the SAT or ACT
Using your summer to prepare for your SAT or ACT exam is just smart. During the summer, you will not have other courses and school activities demanding your attention. Take full advantage of this by preparing for the exams over the summer. You won’t regret this choice.
#3: Take AP or other college-level courses ahead of time
Did you know that you can take AP courses in the summer? Did you know that high school students can enroll at colleges (on-campus or online) and take college-level courses that interest them? Use the summer to take that math or science class you couldn’t fit into your schedule. Alternatively, take a class not offered at your high school. It’ll look great on your college application and you’ll enrich yourself at the same time.
#4: Pursue your hobby with dedication
Summer’s unstructured time gives a chance to recharge by pursuing your hobbies. For example, if you love photography and haven’t picked up a camera all year, jump back into it. Perhaps you can create an Instagram feed showcasing your work or put on an ‘Art Show” at the end of the summer for friends and family. Whatever it is, spending time on your passions and interests will help you stand out. Plus, it’s just fun!
#5: Volunteer in your community
There are many quality service trip non-profits out there that do great work, but for many students these trips are too expensive to participate in. It’s good to know that volunteer work abounds in each community and needs people like you to help. This summer, consider finding an organization that shares your values and spend some time helping it achieve its mission. Whether it’s walking dogs at the local animal sanctuary or helping stock the shelves at the food pantry, your work will directly help your community, help you make connections with other like-minded people, and make you feel good! For college application purposes, think about how you can volunteer consistently over a span of time, rather just volunteering once here and there.
#6: Pursue an internship
Internships, though often unpaid, are an excellent way to learn more about a field or major you are considering. Many companies and small businesses welcome student interns, even high school students, because they see it as an investment in the future of their field. What better way to know if you want to be a vet than to spend a summer interning at an animal hospital? Your first-hand observations will be priceless. Whether you are interested in laboratory science, finance or engineering, consider an internship as a way to spend part of your summer and learn directly what a career field is really like.
This is just a shortlist of how you can spend time in high-value activities this summer. It’s important to find things you enjoy doing and not just pursue things for the sake of an application. Moreover, summer is a time to rest and have some fun, so be sure that is part of your summer, too!