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Summer is a wonderful time to explore new activities or deepen existing interests. Choose activities that genuinely appeal to you enough that you sustain your involvement or develop the activity in a new way. Pursue a current interest in a new context, work at a paid job, develop creative hobbies, volunteer in your community, spend time with family, attend a camp, or try a job-shadow or internship experience. It's never too late to try or begin something new. Try to explore beyond what is familiar to you. Students should take a break from the routines of school in order to be refreshed and renewed for the coming academic year. Prioritize time for family and friends, reading, personal interests, camps, part-time jobs or community activities. All of these are valuable expressions of what is important to you; there is no need to seek activities you think “look good to colleges” that do not reflect your authentic interests.
Visiting colleges is appropriate for rising seniors and sometimes rising juniors. While school year visits reveal the college “in action,” during summer colleges have students on campus doing research or projects, and hire strong tour guides to host visitors and staff panels. Summer may be the ideal time for a longer or more distant college visit trip.
Test prep: While summer may provide open time for test prep - whether a class, tutoring or self-study - it may also be too far in advance of when you will take your first ACT/SAT (usually mid-junior year). Early is not always better. If anything, rising seniors might fine-tune their test skills before a fall retake.
Summer programs can be great ways to pursue an interest, but they may be expensive. College admission officers recognize cost can be a barrier, and do not expect or prioritize participation in such programs when reviewing applications to college. These are only one way to explore an interest.
If you do apply, request supporting materials at least two weeks in advance of your deadline for submitting your application.
Some program deadlines are in January or February; most have later spring deadlines but review applications when submitted, so it's best to apply during the third quarter of the school year.
Need a transcript? Contact your college counselor.
Recommendation letter? Do not ask teachers at the last minute. If a letter from a school counselor is needed, contact your college counselor.
Scholarship for summer programs: For female identified students from the Midwest, the Joyce Ivy Foundation provides scholarships for certain summer programs. Students must apply to both the program AND the Joyce Ivy Scholars program. Most deadlines are near March 1.
Click the following links for spreadsheets of summer programs.
Architecture Social Justice, Environment, Sustainability
Art, Film, Music, Theater Programs for BIPOC Students
Business, Economics, Entrepreneurship Writing, Debate, Journalism
Computer Science and Engineering Local Summer Programs
History, Politics, Global Studies Multi-subject programs on college campuses
Language and Humanities Programs Abroad
Science and Math Online Programs
Other good resources:
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