Summer Options for High Schoolers

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Kelly_Shannon — By Shannon Kelly | “Values in American/World Thought” Teacher, College Counselor

January is often the time to start thinking about summer plans. While much attention is given to how to occupy little ones during the long summer months, there is great benefit to being strategic with your teen’s time. The key is to start planning early so that whatever your teen’s summer looks like, it is by design, not by default.

It is important to know that there is no “right” way for your teen to spend their summer. My family prioritized downtime, travel, and summer jobs. We cherished the long, unstructured summer days and family trips. However, my children also took advantage of some impactful opportunities that helped set them up for future success.

If you are wondering how to utilize the summer break, especially as it pertains to college applications, here are some tips on how to approach summer with your teen. Most importantly, make sure to include your teen in the decision-making process by having a conversation with them about how they want to spend their summer.

Note: Any activities done the summer after 8th grade can be added to a student’s college activity list.

Top tips for teens:

Don’t do anything just because you think it will look good on a college application. Do things because you enjoy them.
Many colleges offer pre-college experiences during the summer. They can be expensive, and most often do not increase the likelihood of getting into that particular college. Only attend programs if the classes and experiences are exciting to you.
Colleges want to know how you spend your downtime. They do not think that doing volunteer work is more valuable than getting a summer job or an internship. The main thing is to be intentional with your time.
Summer is a great time to try taking a course at a community college. It is free and allows you to try out courses you may not have access to in high school. It is also easier to see how you handle a college course when you are not balancing other courses and activities.
Not all programs are created equal. Do your research so you understand the quality of the program you are applying to. For example, CSSA (California State Summer School for the Arts) and COSMOS (California State Summer School for Math and Science) are wonderful, competitive programs that are highly regarded, especially when applying to the UC system.
It is never too early to start visiting college campuses. If your family is traveling, fit a college visit in, even if it just means walking around a campus. This helps you understand what kind of college environment you gravitate towards.
If you plan on taking the SAT, use the summer to start studying.
Summer before junior year: Start researching colleges and building your college list
Summer before senior year: Finalize your college list and work on your applications and personal statements. Start researching and applying for scholarships.