Boosting your college application over the summer can be an excellent way to enhance your profile and make you stand out to admissions committees. Here are ten things you can do:
1. **Volunteer Work**:
– Engage in community service or volunteer at local organizations, hospitals, or shelters. Demonstrating a commitment to helping others can be a strong point on your application.
2. **Internships**:
– Find internships in fields that interest you. This can provide valuable work experience, show your dedication to your chosen field, and give you something substantial to talk about in your essays.
3. **Summer Courses**:
– Enroll in summer classes at a local community college or online. Taking advanced or college-level courses can show your willingness to challenge yourself academically.
4. **Research Projects**:
– Participate in or initiate a research project in a subject you’re passionate about. This can demonstrate your initiative and intellectual curiosity.
5. **Personal Projects**:
– Start a personal project such as a blog, a YouTube channel, or an art portfolio. This can showcase your creativity and dedication to personal interests.
6. **Test Preparation**:
– Dedicate time to studying for standardized tests (SAT, ACT, AP exams). Improving your test scores can significantly enhance your application.
7. **Leadership Roles**:
– Take on leadership roles in clubs, sports teams, or other extracurricular activities. Leadership experience is highly valued by colleges.
8. **Skill Development**:
– Learn a new skill or improve existing ones. This could be anything from learning a new language, coding, or playing a musical instrument.
9. **Travel and Cultural Experiences**:
– If possible, travel domestically or internationally. Experiencing different cultures can broaden your perspective and be a great topic for application essays.
10. **Reading and Self-Education**:
– Read extensively in areas of interest, whether academic subjects or personal interests. This can improve your knowledge base and critical thinking skills.
Tips for Highlighting These Activities on Your Application:
– **Reflect on Your Experiences**: Think about what you learned from each activity and how it contributed to your personal growth.
– **Quantify Your Impact**: Whenever possible, use numbers to describe your achievements (e.g., hours volunteered, projects completed).
– **Connect to Your Goals**: Explain how these activities are related to your future academic and career aspirations.
– **Seek Recommendations**: Ask for letters of recommendation from supervisors or mentors who can speak to your dedication and accomplishments.
Using your summer effectively can make a significant difference in your college applications, showcasing your initiative, commitment, and multifaceted interests.
Tip: Organizations like GirlSpring show that you have great interpersonal skills, writing skills, value diversity and show that you have been a part of something unique. Don’t forget that when you write articles for our website, you can count it for volunteer service hours too!
