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…

By: Larry Liu, The Spike Lab

We all know how it feels to be motivated. It’s a state characterized by clarity, focus, and boundless energy. We’re willing to run through brick walls to achieve our goals. Yet for many high schoolers, it can be hard to tap into this feeling. And many parents who want to help operate under false beliefs about motivation. These beliefs can lead to actions that are counterproductive and ultimately de-motivating. And yet, self-motivation for students is important.

During my work at The Spike Lab, I’ve seen firsthand the huge benefits available to…

By: Kate Sonnenberg

As college admissions becomes more competitive, students frequently look for ways to “distinguish” themselves from their peers. One increasingly common choice: research. Research has become so popular in recent years that many companies have sprung up offering to match high school students with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty who will supervise a research project.

But do colleges really value high school research when deciding whom to admit?

The answer, like so much in college admissions, is “it depends.”…

Volunteer work is a rite of passage for many high school students. Some schools require a certain number of volunteer hours, and many honors societies, religious organizations and families either require or highly encourage it. It is certainly a worthwhile endeavor students should consider spending time on, but it is also viewed as something students must do to make an impression on college. Is it necessary? If so, what kind of volunteer work matters?

Volunteer work is not a requirement to apply to college. Colleges are looking for students with integrity and empathy,…

For those students interested in science research, this is an event not to be missed. From March 14th to March 31st, the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation's most prestigious pre-college science and mathematics competition, will host a virtual exhibition of the research projects that the finalists conducted. 

This is a great opportunity to learn about cutting edge research being conducted by students from all over the world, and gain inspiration for a next research project.

Meet the Finalists

Receive inside…

Don't miss this weekend extravaganza of classes for middle school students at MIT that is almost free ($40 for the entire weekend).

Spark is a one-weekend program designed to give students the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects. MIT students and community members from the student-run Educational Studies Program teach a variety of classes, from urban orienteering to mathematics to Chinese brush painting and everything in between!

Spark 2022 is a virtual for 7th-8th graders on the weekend of March 12-13. 

Register for classes by March 1st at <https://…

Summer is just around the corner, and many high school students are starting to figure out what they will be doing over the summer months. We have been receiving many questions from high school families about how best to plan summers that would help with college admissions. We have assembled below 10 things students can do, but before exploring any of these options, it is important for students to take stock of what they are interested in, what their strengths are, and what skills they would like to develop over the summer, and throughout their high school years. 

There…

The winter months are an excellent time to apply to summer opportunities, including internships, jobs, and summer programs. Application deadlines are often early in the calendar year and students will need a fair amount of time to prepare their materials. High schoolers should utilize any time off to research these opportunities and ensure that they’re ready and that they’re applying to roles that suit them.

Upon beginning your research, you may quickly realize that there are a dozen or so institutes and programs that stand above the rest. These are lauded as the most prestigious…

The biggest event of the year for middle school STEM students is happening this coming week.

Society for Science and Broadcom Foundation invite you to see research conducted by the nation’s top middle school scientists!

Join the virtual public exhibition of the Broadcom MASTERS 2021 finalists’ original research projects! The Broadcom MASTERS is the nation’s premier STEM competition for middle school students.

Click HERE to download the 2021 Finalist Book.

Head HERE for the Broadcom MASTERS Science and…

As students settle into school this month, with most in-person activities resuming, students will continue extracurricular activities they have already been involved in or explore new activities to pursue in the new school year. Extracurricular activities are an important part of high school as they provide an outlet for students to explore interests outside of the classroom and provide important leadership skills, as well as social and emotional benefits. It is also one of the most important criteria in how a college differentiates one applicant from another. Especially for highly…