Missed the Deadline for Prestigious Summer Programs? Here’s What Your Student Can Do

For many families, the month of December flew by amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays—and with it, the application deadline for many of the most prestigious merit-based summer programs. If your student missed the deadline for a program that interested them, they can still pursue other opportunities to maximize their free time this summer; however, doing so requires planning and intentionality. It is important that students and families prioritize summer planning now to avoid missing other important deadlines. 

Keep in mind that the best opportunity for your student will depend on several factors, including their grade level, interests, and what activities they have engaged in during past summers. While rigorous academic opportunities may be more suitable for juniors and seniors (such as a college course, internship, or independent research), first years and sophomores can benefit from finding their first job or attending pre-college programs to discover their passions. In addition, students should vary their summer activities each year rather than repeatedly doing the same thing—the summer months are a time to try new things, and students should mix up their activities to make the most of their time off of school.  

Below are 5 ways that your student can use this summer strategically to explore their interests and build their resume! 

Jobs 

A summer job is a great way for students to develop professional skills, learn to communicate effectively, and develop financial literacy. While some may assume that colleges do not value students’ summer work, professional experience can demonstrate to schools that a student is self-motivated, adaptable, and responsible. Some colleges even include questions about students’ work experience as a way of better understanding an applicant’s values. The University of California application, for example, asks students to describe how they have used money they have earned from jobs they have worked. An hourly job—whether lifeguarding, scooping ice cream, or starting a dog walking business—will help students foster valuable skills that they will use throughout the rest of their lives!  

While finding a job as a high school student can be challenging, LinkedIn, AngelList, and Idealist are great online resources for students to kick off their job search! 

Internships 

Similar to summer jobs, internships can help students to hone their professional skills. While it may be challenging for students to find jobs in their field of interest given their age and experience level, they may have more opportunities to explore their career options through paid or unpaid internships. An internship can provide hands-on experience that will help students determine whether a certain career path is right for them. While students can also search for internships through online job boards, the best place to begin searching is within their own network. Reaching out to local professionals, asking family members and friends whether they know someone in the students’ field of interest that they might reach out to, or checking local messaging boards to see what positions are open in their area are all great ways for students to maximize the opportunities in their communities. 

Volunteering  

Another great summer activity for students is volunteering. Students’ engagement with their community through volunteering demonstrates their actionable values and shows colleges what kind of community member they will be on campus if accepted. When selecting an organization or nonprofit to work with, students should begin by taking an inventory of their interests and passions—what do they enjoy doing? What unique knowledge or skills do they want to share with their community? How might their “hook” inform the kind of volunteer work that they would be best suited for? After carefully considering what kind of volunteering they wish to get involved in, students can search for organizations that would align with their passions through sites such as GivePulse and VolunteerMatch.

Dual Enrollment

For students who want to explore an academic subject while also earning college credit, dual enrolling in a class at a local college is an ideal use of the summer months. Community colleges are typically an inexpensive option for dual enrollment, and the courses tend to be transferable to universities, which can help a student bypass prerequisite courses or complete their degree more quickly. In addition, community colleges typically offer a wider array of specialized course offerings than high schools, so choosing this option could provide a student the opportunity to engage in their field of interest in greater depth than they would be able to during the school year. 

Independent Study & Research 

Finally, students can take initiative and structure their own research project or independent study to enrich their understanding of a topic that excites them. This option tends to be best for students who are skilled in time management and self-directed study, as it requires students to maintain a schedule and achieve goals that they set for themselves. If students find that they need more direction in their research process, they can also reach out to a professor or graduate student in the field (whether locally or virtually) to request guidance and ask whether they would be able to supervise their research. 

No matter what their goals and interests, there are ample opportunities for students to use the summer months to boost their admissions profile and gain valuable knowledge about themselves and their aspirations.