As a current junior in high school, I'm starting to think about how to plan my summer effectively to strengthen my college applications and personal growth. I've heard that it's a great time to work on extracurricular activities, gain work experience, or even take summer courses. I'm looking for advice on how to balance these activities while also taking some time to relax and recharge before senior year. How do you guys structure your summer plans to make the most out of them? And are there any specific activities or programs that you would recommend?
You're absolutely right; the summer before senior year is a critical time to strengthen your college application and personal portfolio. Here's a game plan to help you utilize that time effectively.
1. Deepen Your Extracurricular Involvement: Remember it's the depth of involvement that counts, not the breadth. If you're part of any clubs or organizations, see if there's leadership roles or unique projects you could take on. It's better to have deep involvement in 1-3 activities (especially those aligning with your academic interests or 'spike') stronger than lighter, dispassionate participation in many.
2. Gain Work Experience or Conduct an Independent Project: If possible, try to find an internship or job that's related to your field of interest. If directly related experiences are not readily available, any work experience still helps to build professional skills and character. On the other hand, you could engage in a self-started project. For example, if you're interested in computer science, you might take the summer to create an app or a game.
3. Partake in Summer Programs: Enrolling in summer programs is a great choice, but choose wisely. Avoid expensive programs that are not selective. There are numerous free or low-cost and selective summer programs available, which are more valuable in the eyes of colleges.
4. Begin College Applications: The Common App usually releases their essay prompts in advance, so start brainstorming and drafting. Research your colleges of interest, understand what they're looking for, and begin these applications.
5. Relaxation Time: While it's important to stay productive, don't forget to enjoy your summer and recharge. The senior year can be involved and challenging, so ensure you're entering it refreshed.
6. Coursework: If there's a course available that could either lighten your course load in the senior year or enhance your academic knowledge, it might be beneficial to consider it. However, don't overcommit to the point that you're overwhelmed.
To structure your summer, make a schedule. Having a plan not only helps you ensure you're balancing your commitments, but it also allows you to see if you've left enough downtime for relaxation. However, it's important to keep that balance flexible. For instance, spending a week at a summer program means less time for work or relaxation during that period, but you can balance it out over the rest of the summer.
Finally, remember that all experiences are what you make of them. Even with a summer job that does not seem directly related to your planned college major, you can demonstrate traits like responsibility, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and so on. Any activity you engage in, you can turn it into a meaningful and productive experience.
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