If your high schooler wants to attend college one day, they might have started thinking about summer plans for college admissions. And as a parent, you might be wondering what your child should actually be doing this summer to strengthen their application? The answer might surprise you: Planning should start right now, and here’s why…
The school year is more than halfway over, and believe it or not, NOW is the time to start planning for the summer. Colleges notice how students spend their summers because it’s one of the best indicators of motivation, maturity, curiosity, and initiative. But why should it start so early? Believe it or not, many summer programs for high school students have already opened registration. Many deadlines for these programs fall in the winter and early spring. Popular programs fill quickly, and local opportunities take time to plan. Starting early ensures you make the most of your time. Remember, the early bird gets the worm!
Six Pathways to Consider This Summer
I spend a good amount of time during the winter months helping my 9th-11th graders plan summer activities that will help them stand out on their college applications. Below is a guide to help your teenager explore many of the pathways available.
1.Start exploring official summer programs, like STEM camps, arts intensives, and leadership or pre-college experiences on university campuses. Enrolling in these types of programs is a great way to explore your field of interest and, in some cases, get a feel for college life. There are several opportunities available, including virtual and hybrid options. Many deadlines for these programs fall between December and February, so you don’t want to wait. Start exploring now!
2. Search for summer classes, especially in your field of interest. It’s a great way to explore your career goals and shows colleges that you are dedicated to expanding your knowledge in a particular subject area. Look for course offerings at your high school, local community college, or even through an online program. One of my current seniors is planning to major in graphic design. Last winter, we searched for art schools near his hometown that offered summer courses for high school students. He ended up enrolling in a weeklong course, which helped him solidify his decision to major in graphic design.
3. Consider researching options for job shadowing. This is the perfect way for students to gain practical skills and experience. Internships can be hard to come by as a high school student, but you can easily contact a relative, family friend, or neighbor in your field of interest to ask to shadow them for the day or week. You can spend a few days or more observing a lawyer, physical therapist, vet, or any other professional whose career interests you. This is one of the most authentic ways to explore potential majors.
4. Look for a summer job. College admission officers love to see applicants who demonstrate work ethic, responsibility, and initiative by holding a summer job or even a part-time job during the school year. Bonus: you can make a little extra cash for those college expenses, and you don’t need a fancy job! Many of my students have worked in retail, food service, babysitting, and as camp counselors. I even had a few students start their own small business, like a lawn company. This is a great way to show your entrepreneurial interests, creativity, and dedication. Part-time or full-time work builds strong time-management and accountability skills, both of which are essential for success in college.
5. Volunteer your time. Start identifying local organizations, animal shelters, hospitals, senior centers, food banks, and environmental groups. You can search on volunteer databases, like Idealist.org or volunteer.gov. Participating in community services demonstrates your commitment to making a difference.
6. Explore a passion project. Colleges notice when a student’s initiative comes from something they genuinely care about. Launching a podcast, starting a tutoring service, organizing a park clean-up, or designing a research project with a mentor – these initiatives highlight creativity, initiative, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
A Note on Budget
The strongest summer experiences aren’t always the priciest. Admission officers often value authentic engagement over expensive brand-name programs. A student who starts a neighborhood babysitting service or works 30 hours a week at the community pool shows just as much, if not more, initiative than one who attends a $5,000 pre-college program. What matters most is genuine interest and meaningful involvement, not the price tag.
How Your Student Can Get Started (This Month!)
- Begin by building a summer planning list. Identify passions that you want to explore, work or volunteer experiences that you would like to gain, or skills that you want to develop.
- Draft a one-page resume that will help you stand out when you are contacting organizations or employers.
- Begin outreach emails to request a job shadowing experience, apply for a summer job, or ask about volunteer positions. Outreach done now can result in more opportunities later.
How to Support Summer Plans (Without Micromanaging)
My role as a college consultant is to help facilitate summer plans, not orchestrate them. As a parent, you can also help your 9th – 11th grader research programs, create their high school resume, or make connections through your professional network. But always let them take the lead on outreach emails and applications. Colleges value student initiative, not parent intervention. Think of yourself as a supportive summer consultant, not the project manager.
Remember: There’s No Single “Right” Summer Plan for College Admissions
I’ve seen students gain admission to top schools after working at Dairy Queen, volunteering at local libraries, or simply reading extensively in their field of interest. What matters is that the activity is meaningful to YOUR student, not what looks impressive to neighbors or sounds good at dinner parties.
A meaningful summer won’t just strengthen a college application; it will help your child grow into a more confident, capable version of themselves. It’s important to keep in mind that they don’t need to engage in every activity on the list above. It’s about balance and what works best for your family. Summer is also a time for some much-needed rest and relaxation. The earlier your student starts, the easier it will be to balance their college preparation with time to enjoy summer break.
Need Help Creating Your Student’s Summer Strategy?
Planning a meaningful summer doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Summer planning is a core component of our one-on-one college consulting program, where we work together to create a personalized strategy that plays to your student’s unique strengths and interests, without the stress.
Whether your high schooler is just beginning to explore potential majors or already has clear goals, I’ll help you identify the right opportunities and make this summer count in ways that truly matter for your family and your student’s future.
Ready to get started? Let’s connect and build a summer plan that sets your student up for success.