Summer before senior year is the most important summer for high school students. This is the time when most opportunities are available to them - jobs, internships, summer programs, etc. Beyond academic, extracurricular, and career related pursuits, this is also a great time for students to get started on the college admissions process. Here is a checklist we have compiled for rising seniors, so that they can make the most of the summer, and get ahead on college applications so that they are off to a great senior year when school starts again.
Engage in meaningful summer activities
Students can check out our blog on Still Without Summer Plans? Don't Worry, Consider These Great Options to learn more about possible summer internships, programs, or classes that might be open. While many of these options may no longer be available, students can consider taking on jobs, online courses, or personal projects.
Colleges value job experiences as they speak to the students' motivations and interpersonal skills. This means that students can take up any job, whether working as an intern for a startup company or as a cashier at the local grocery store. However, it works best when students take on a job that builds on skills that lend themselves to their future goals. Read Why Summer Jobs and Work Experience Matter When High School Students Apply to College for additional insights.
If this option is difficult for students to take on right now, they may also consider taking online courses in various subjects over the summer. Different online platforms offer courses in disciplines ranging from science to English to languages to arts and music, to name a few, that students can take classes in, allowing them to choose to take up a course in their area of interest. Here are some links that can provide more information on what students can do this summer:
Still Without Summer Plans? Don't Worry, Consider These Great Options
Last Minute Internship Searches
Best of Online Learning - University Classes
Best of Online Learning - Coding
Best of Online Learning: Music and Art
Best of Online Learning - Language
Figure out a game plan for standardized exams
Post pandemic, colleges are following different policies on making standardized tests optional or mandatory. However, it is still a good idea for students to consider taking these tests and use the summer to develop a game plan for these exams. How to Prep for the SAT/ACT and Best Online Learning SAT/ACT Prep will provide tips on getting started and staying focused. Standardized Testing Quick Guide is an excellent checklist to ensure students are ready on the test day.
Get started on the college list
Putting a college list together is a long process that requires time and planning. It is ideal for students to begin putting together their list sooner rather than later, and the summer is the perfect time to research and put together a comprehensive list. Students should ideally have a final list of 10-12 schools. Students can learn a lot about schools and eliminate many schools just through online research that they can do right from their homes. If students are considering ED/EA, the summer is a good time for them to make sure this is the right school for them. Use the Finding Your College Questionnaire | Versed to prioritize what is important for each student. Additionally, students can reach out to students who are currently attending these universities to get additional information directly from the source. You can reach out to these students by tapping into the high school alumni base, friends, neighbors, or friends of parents who attend or attended the colleges of interest. They can provide insights about the college that is not on the college’s website.
Students can also use the summer to visit colleges. Right now, most colleges are back to offering in-person visits to students. If possible, students should take advantage of this opportunity. Colleges also offer virtual tours. Check out the website of the college you are interested in to see if this is an option if visiting in-person may not be possible.
Get a head start on College Applications
The college application is split into different sections. Most of the sections are relatively quick to fill out, so why not get a head start? The activities section is the section students should spend time on, as it not only states the extracurriculars that students were involved in, but explains the importance and role it plays in the students’ high school career. Although some information may have to be changed as senior year progresses, getting a head start will give students less to worry about as college application deadlines come closer. Read this Guide to the Common App to learn more about what students have to prepare for the Common App.
Summer is not too early to get started on college essays. This includes not only the personal Common App Essay, but also any supplemental essays that colleges will require of students. The prompts for the Common App Essay are already out and colleges are starting to (or may already have) announce their 2022-2023 Supplemental Essay prompts. 5 Simple Tips to Writing a Great College Application Essay is a good starting point on brainstorming and getting a plan in place for tackling essays.
Use this link for Online Resources for College Admissions.
Get organized on Financial Aid
While important for students to be mindful of, this step is directed more toward parents. Parents need to get informed about the financial aid process and start looking at what is required in filling out the FAFSA and CSS forms for financial aid in the United States. This will require you to start getting your documents in order, such as income tax return forms. Learn more by getting started with Financial Aid 101. Also refer to How to Create a Financially Balanced College List prior to finalizing college list.
Ask for recommendations
Ideally, this is something that is already done at this point. If not, students should ask teachers and counselors for recommendations as soon as possible. Most colleges require recommendation letters from a guidance counselor and at least 2 teachers. Students should ask for recommendation letters from teachers who can tell colleges more about them than being an A+ student. Getting good grades from a teacher doesn’t necessarily mean that the teacher knows the student very well. Students should choose teachers that they’ve sat down and had conversations with because teachers will be able to write a more personal recommendation that really shows the student in a positive light. Students have to ask ahead of time for teacher recommendations because chances are, teachers are incredibly busy with their own schedules and other recommendation letter requests. The sooner the student asks, it is more likely that teachers will have time to write the letter, and also be able to write a thoughtful letter that is not rushed.
Take some time off to unwind and enjoy the summer.
Once fall semester starts, it will be a busy time for seniors. College applications will begin to pile on along with schoolwork. Students should take this time to relax and enjoy their summer as much as they can.
For additional insights on college admissions process:
Get Your Common App Essay Done This Summer
Favorite Resources For Parents About Applying To College
Still Without Summer Plans? Don't Worry, Consider These Great Options
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