Here are some activities in which our students have participated, and found meaningful, as they complete their college applications:
Get a job.
College admissions officers have told us that they consider working to be an important activity for high school students. Whether by necessity or design, through work students demonstrate grit, responsibility, resilience, time management, and humility.
Find an internship.
If your student has an established or burgeoning interest, a specialized internship could help them explore the subject matter deeply and show authenticity in pursuing the interest.
Care for older relative or sibling.
Nothing requires more dedication, maturity, or patience than caring for the health and well-being of another human being. Admissions officers deeply respect those students who have accepted and undertaken such responsibility.
Camp.
Important life lessons are learned at camp. Students learn to make and maintain friendships; leadership skills; responsibility; respect for themselves, their peers, and authority; team-building; self-care; independence; to take reasonable risks; explore nature; and to challenge themselves physically, socially, and emotionally.
Academic or competitive programs.
Many programs exist, both public and private, that are awarded based on merit. Applications usually become available early in the year and due very soon thereafter. Check the particular release dates and deadlines for programs in which you are interested. To earn a position in one of these prestigious programs is a significant achievement and looks great on a college application. In addition, the experiences can be life-altering.
Take academic classes.
Students often can use the summer to take classes (summer school at your high school, online high school, or at local colleges) to help launch themselves ahead academically, make up for lower grades, or get electives out of the way. Check with your high school to see which classes it will or will not accept for your transcript.
Community service-volunteer.
Service to your community is always desirable and colleges value students who give back. Check with your school or online to find organizations in your community which are in need of volunteers. Perhaps, select an organization that might coincide with your personal narrative.
Start a charity or “for purpose business.”
Just because everyone is doing it, does not make it wrong. If you have an area of interest that is not being served by an existing organization, you might consider figuring out a way to raise money for your particular cause.
Write a book.
If you have an idea or an interesting experience, you might consider writing a book and self-publishing. There are so many opportunities online, the exercise might be instructive.
Train intensively in your sport, dance, art, activity.
Coaches always say that summer is the time to jump ahead physically and skills wise.
Self-challenge.
Have you considered running a marathon or driving across country to see all the baseball fields? We know of a student who trained and ran a marathon barefoot and then wrote about the experience. He got into Harvard with lower metrics.
Research.
Universities value students who are intellectually curious and wish to delve deeply into a particular area of study.
University programs.
Many universities offer summer programs that allow students to take classes or engage in a particular type of learning or experience.
