Summer Activities
Guide to Summer Activities
High School students & their parents should think seriously about how they spend each summer ideally starting the summer before high school starts. If possible, students should be involved in meaningful and productive activities each summer that will enable them to grow in some way. Here are some things to consider.
If possible, activities should focus on something the student is interested in or something they think they might want to pursue in college or professionally some day.
Activities should allow the student to have increasing levels of independence each year.
Don’t sign up for an activity just because you think it will help with college admissions. Students must show a strong interest in the activity or it won’t be meaningful.
Encourage teens to challenge themselves through these activities.
Avoid community service type activities like taking trip to a 3rd world country to build houses. These won’t impress Admissions Officers. They are looking for students doing meaningful authentic things.
Parents & students should start researching summer programs the Fall before the summer they are targeting. The earlier you start the more options you will have.
Avoid programs that suggest ‘privilege’.
Questions to ask about activities before signing up or applying
What is the purpose of this activity?
What type of student is successful in this environment?
What is the competitive landscape like both to get in and succeed in the activity?
Make sure it matches with the students’ personality. If the student enjoys a lot of down time and it’s a packed agenda – look for something else.
Does this activity match my students learning style and personality?
Is my student in the right age range for this activity?
Ask about the supervision during the activity?
What are the rules?
What is the background of the staff and how often do they see turnover?
What is their policy on electronic devices?
What are their emergency & medical protocols?
What are the accommodations like?
How much does it cost? Summer programs can be pricey. Some have scholarships available but these are competitive.
Read the contract carefully.
Types of Programs
Academic Programs
Offered by universities & 3rd party companies. These sometime offer 1 – 3 credits, which can be very helpful down the road and cheaper than paying for the credits during college.
Sign up for one of these programs if the student is really interested in the academic subject being offered and is planning to study this in college. •
Don’t sign up because of the prestige of the school offering the program. Admissions officers don’t care and it will have no impact.
Competitive programs that you were selected for will be more impactful. These often are a great source for college essays.
Take the applications seriously and start early particularly with requesting letters of recommendation.
Summer Theatre/Music Programs
Great choice if you are planning to pursue these interests in college. •
May provide opportunities to interact with the public, which is great experience.
Provides opportunities to explore new types of theatre or music that you haven’t tried before.
Helps increase skills.
Camps – Specific Topics
Helps increase skills in particular areas (ex. Robotics, Dance, Cooking, Sports, etc.)
Academic/Gifted camps.
Traditional summer camps.
May provide opportunities for to become a counselor through a counselor in training program.
College Prep/Test Prep
Community Service/Service Trips
Language & Cultural Immersion Programs
Internships
Ideas of Free Ways to be Productive
Watch Ted Talks
Take a free online class in a topic your interested in studying in college or on any topic that fascinates you.
Learn a software program that you are unfamiliar with but will likely use in college. There are plenty of free resources on line.
Learn a new skill.
Accomplish a big goal you’ve had for a while.
Prepare for SAT/ACT using Khan Academy.
Focus on improving your skills at something you are not particularly good at. -
Start your college essays