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GUIDE TO SUMMER PLANNING 2021 EDITION COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM
Summer: The Perfect
Opportunity for Students
to Grow
For many of today’s college-bound high school students, summer is
no longer nine weeks of total relaxation, but rather an opportunity
to spend time actively working, learning new skills, or diving deeper
into an area (or areas) of interest. Summer is the perfect time to
take calculated risks that push students into unfamiliar situations
that build skills and enrich life experiences. Planning is the key to
finding the most rewarding experience.
We encourage students to consider what they enjoy, what areas they
could improve in, and what their goals for the future are in order
to decide what to do over the summer. With any activity students
choose to participate in, there should be opportunities to help
them learn more about themselves by expanding their interests,
gaining new experiences, or taking on responsibilities. Whether or
not it’s going to help in the college process should be secondary to
having a good growth experience.
While we don’t quite know what this summer might look like, summer
2020 showed us that students will be able to find activities that work in
a virtual environment, and in doing so, they’ll learn a little more about
themselves. With some creativity, they can find new ways to engage
in their interests and develop new skills. Bonus points if they make a
positive impact on others in their community in the meantime.
COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 2
TOP 8 SUMMER PLANNING
MYTHS FOR PARENTS
AND STUDENTS
1. School is so stressful that my student
just needs to relax this summer. Don’t be
afraid to make your student do something;
doing nothing should not be an option.
2. My student is a great math student, so
they need an engineering program. Your
student may not know what they’re
interested in yet; find broad opportunities
to let them discover their interests.
SEIZE THE SUMMER! 3. A
ttending an Ivy League summer
As you and your family review possibilities for the summer, consider program will help my child get into
these key questions to help define your search criteria: that school. Unless your child is genuinely
interested in the program, this type of
I NITIATIVE: How much initiative does this activity or “gaming the system” to gain a leg up for
1 program require? For example, it takes more initiative to
college admissions is not recommended.
develop an independent project than it does to attend a 4. My teen should do more than just be
summer program. Think about your student’s personality and a cashier or waiter. Summer jobs can
have powerful impacts on students by
previous experiences taking initiative. Are they comfortable teaching responsibility and enhancing
being more self-directed or would they rather take part in communication skills.
an established program? Often, this depends both on age and
5. Volunteer work isn’t “enough.”
personality. Younger students may feel more comfortable Don’t underestimate the power of good
in a more structured program, while juniors and seniors volunteer work to impact both your
may be able to work on their own to find and apply for a student and your local community.
job, internship, academic program, or research opportunity. 6. Getting over 100 service hours over the
Hint: college admissions officers highly value when students summer is critical. It’s not the amount of
take the initiative in planning their summer activity. community service hours that matters —
showing impact is more important.
LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: Is your student taking a risk
2 7. My teen should stick with what they’re
or challenging themselves in this activity or program? already good at. Encouraging your
Being willing to stretch and go outside one’s comfort zone student to try new things is a good way
is important to grow as a person. It’s okay if your student for them to learn more about themselves
completes a challenging activity but ultimately fails. As a and increase confidence.
matter of fact, that might make a great college essay! 8. Everything is lost if students have to
shelter in place again in the summer.
IMPACT: How will this program impact your student and This past summer has shown that many
3 your community? A great activity or program should be colleges, programs, employers, and
internships were able to pivot and offer
both engaging and impactful. But don’t fill your student’s
meaningful virtual experiences. Think
summer with activities they don’t enjoy just because you creatively about opportunities.
think they will look good on a college application.
COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 3
FINDING THE RIGHT
SUMMER OPPORTUNITY RESEARCHING
The following ideas for summer activities are just a few ways that
SUMMER PROGRAMS
students can explore possible areas of interest while growing and Look beneath the surface and ask these
developing as a person. questions to find a quality program:
SUMMER PROGRAMS • What is the program’s philosophy?
More and more summer programs are available for high school • What are the unique features of
the program?
students, with unique focuses such as STEM, cultural immersion,
performing arts, wilderness skills, and more. Programs are often on • How will my child be challenged?
a college campus, sometimes formally connected with the college • What are the opportunities for
or university. Academic enrichment programs for teens typically run leadership and personal growth?
anywhere from one to ten weeks. Some programs cost as much as
• What is the education and experience
$10,000, while others are more reasonably priced. These programs level of the staff?
allow students to experience life on a college campus, explore new
and exciting fields they may want to pursue as college majors, and • How long has the staff been with
the program?
make friendships with others from around the globe. In many cases,
students can earn college credit for the courses they take. • What is the ratio of counselors/teachers
to students?
A word of caution here: we prefer programs that are actually run
• How does the program measure and
by the college instead of a third-party provider. It’s important to be reward success?
a careful consumer, so be sure to ask about who will be teaching
• How does the program deal with
the program. If a student is aiming for highly selective colleges, the
conflict or rule violation?
summer program should be a selective program. It’s also important
to note that attending a summer program on a college campus does • What safety protocol will you have
in place?
not typically give you a leg up in admissions for that college.
• Does the program have a contingency
Stay Safe: The pandemic has taught us that technology cannot plan if attending in person is not yet safe?
replace the in-person experience, but it can be a great supplement
• If programs move from in-person
or temporary replacement if it’s not yet safe to be in person. Many to online, will you have an option
pre-college programs are hoping to offer in-person instruction, but for a refund?
if they cannot, they have created wonderful, interactive, online
experiences as the next best thing. Your student’s safety is always Questions to ask former program
the priority, and all decisions to attend any program should be participants and their parents:
carefully considered as a family. • How did your child grow from
participating in this program?
Take It up a Notch: These programs can be helpful when they truly
reflect students’ interests, whether academic or otherwise. For example, • How are you using the experience
you gained from the program?
if a student wants to be a doctor, a science-based summer program
can help that student learn more about what it’s like to study and • What would you have changed about
practice medicine. These programs can help show colleges that a the program?
student takes a career path seriously and that they are genuinely
COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 4
interested in learning more about it. For students entering 12th
grade, we encourage you to think about how they can create their
own summer program.
SUMMER JOBS
Many high school students work over the summer. Having a job is a
great way to get work experience to include on their resume and college
applications. Most summer jobs for high school students are part-time,
but some are full-time, especially if your student has already worked
at that place before. Common summer jobs include being a lifeguard,
cashier, golf caddy, stocker, babysitter, or camp counselor.
Take It up a Notch: Like any other activity, a summer job can
impress colleges when a student works at the same place over a
longer timeframe and increases their responsibilities. A summer
HOW TO TURN A
job that relates to a subject the student wants to study in college SUMMER JOB INTO
or pursue a career in often communicates to a college what the AN INTERNSHIP
student’s interests are and their level of commitment to them. (OR VICE VERSA)
Let’s say your student spends their summer
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
assisting customers at a clothing boutique
A summer internship involves working part-time or full-time for or stocking shelves at a grocery store. They
a company or organization and are often more closely related to a learn the business, do a good job, and land
a great reference. Now think: Is there an
student’s career interests. They allow students to gain work experience,
opportunity to dive deeper into other parts
as well as learn more about careers they may be interested in. They of the business (marketing, advertising,
can involve a variety of tasks, typically consistent with some of the accounting, public relations, product
responsibilities of an entry-level position in that field. Summer selection, etc.)? Because your student is a
known quantity, they may be able to gain
internships are not typically the entire summer, and a high school
valuable, resume-building experience by
student may not always be paid for an internship. proposing an internship.
Stay Safe: Think outside of the box about how your student can help We’ve seen many students capitalize on
from a distance. Is your student great with social media or product successful summer jobs by doing this
very thing. It takes a little creativity and
research? Do they want to help with socially-distanced advertising?
initiative, but if the company they worked
Can your student safely help in the office outside of business hours? for valued them as an employee, chances
Decide the family’s comfort level and then explore options. are it’ll be happy to take them on as an
intern. And it goes without saying that if
Take It up a Notch: When students work in summer internships they successfully completed an internship
that relate to a future career area or subject they plan on studying at a company or organization and saw an
opportunity for their own growth, pursuing
in college, colleges often interpret that as real interest in a field. In
a part-time paying job on staff could help
the admissions process, schools are looking for students who are them show increasing responsibility and
passionate about something and who are willing to go the extra learn new skills.
mile to understand a field of interest.
COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 5
SUMMER CLASSES Taking classes may not be the most fun way for a student to spend their summer, but they can sometimes help students stay on track as they prepare for college. Some students take summer classes to improve their grades in a class they didn’t do well in the first time, while others take a class they wouldn’t have time for during the school year. Increasingly, students are taking summer classes as a way to take college courses or advanced high school classes. Students can take summer classes in a variety of ways, either through their high school, at a community college, through an academic program at universities, or even online. Stay Safe: The possibilities for online courses are nearly endless. Have your student explore classes through Coursera, edX, Udemy, and other online course providers. Your teen could focus on a new skill or topic or deepen an existing interest. Be sure to consider if a self-paced course versus live is best for your student. Take It up a Notch: College classes on a student’s transcript can indicate to schools that a student is able to handle the rigor and workload of college. This is an especially good option if a student’s high school doesn’t offer many advanced classes or if a student wants to strengthen their transcript. This is also a wonderful time to add courses in your student’s interest area; as an example, students can take real estate classes and sit for the real estate exam or CAD classes for architecture. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH/PROJECTS For students hoping to attend highly selective colleges, independent research can be a fantastic avenue to delve into their academic area of interest. From developing an app to help students stay more organized to working on writing a play or designing a robot, digging deeper into an established interest is a great way to spend part of a summer break. To be able to demonstrate this time as meaningful (and to help students stay on task), students should create a goal for themselves of what the output and/or accomplishment should be. Students should keep track of how many hours per week/weeks per summer they spend on this activity. Stay Safe: More time at home allows for students to think creatively and try new pursuits. Does your student have an interest in soap-making? Learning a new language? Trying an instrument? Talk with your student about their interests and support them in learning more from home. COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 6
Take It up a Notch: A student can work with a teacher or advisor
to create an independent project that can count as a course credit. ASK THESE 5 QUESTIONS
Another option is to reach out to a college professor to assist with
TO FIND THE RIGHT
college-level research. Creative projects can be submitted for contests
or publication, if appropriate. If a student creates an app or an online
VOLUNTEER FIT
video, being able to tout high usage numbers or a huge number of
1. W
hat does your student
followers can be impressive (as are high revenues). want to learn?
VOLUNTEERING The answer to this question can include
specific skills like teaching or public relations
There are many places where a student can volunteer, including or more general exposure like “learn more
schools, non-profit agencies, museums, and more. Most volunteer about animals.” Listing 2-3 items here is a
work is done where the student lives, but there are also opportunities great start.
to do volunteer work abroad during the summer. While volunteering
2. I n what areas does your
is all about helping others, it’s possible to choose volunteer work student want to grow?
that relates to a student’s college or career interests. Volunteering is
This may include gaining exposure to issues
also a wonderful way to learn leadership skills and to gain a better
and experiences that will broaden their
understanding of the larger world. perspective or a skill they want to develop,
such as “becoming more comfortable
Stay Safe: VolunteerMatch.org, GenerationServe.org and meeting new people.”
DoSomething.org are good resources for students to explore volunteer
opportunities both in person and through online partnership. 3. W
hat is your student
curious about?
Take It up a Notch: Just completing a few hours of volunteer work The focus here is the BIG questions your
will not have as much impact as making a longer-term commitment student has about how the world and
to one organization. Working in a field of interest over a long period society works, such as “what can we do
of time gives students the opportunity to make a significant impact to keep rhinos from becoming extinct?”
on the organization. Hopefully over time, a student’s commitment
4. W
hat kinds of experiences
will lead to greater responsibility and possible leadership positions. does your student most enjoy?
TRAVEL Do they prefer working one-on-one or
in groups, working outside or inside,
Travel can expand a student’s horizons while also experiencing other working with thoughts and conversation
cultures. There are programs offered in areas of service, adventure, skill or hands-on activities?
training, and academics. Students can also consider working while they
5. What level of impact does
travel abroad and visit multiple countries. Seek out immersive programs your student want to make?
that are at least six weeks long, or better yet, the entire summer.
This is very related to question 4. Someone
Stay Safe: Some travel programs offer virtual options, but students who most enjoys working one-on-one may
can also explore cultures from their home! Take some time to pick a want to have a more personal impact, while
someone who prefers large groups may
country and conduct a self-study: read articles, consume local media, prefer something on a larger scale. This is
study the language, create meals from traditional foods, watch culturally often the area of the greatest mismatch
accurate movies, and read a book written by a local author about between volunteers and organizations, so
their culture. Along the way, document the process of growth and it’s helpful to spend a bit of time thinking
about and discussing this one.
learning. Then look into options to take it up a notch.
COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 7
Take It up a Notch: Colleges value the cultural insights gained and independent skills learned when a high school student travels during the summer. Travel abroad programs are often a good way to perfect a second or third language. WHY AGE (AND PERSONALITY) MATTER FOR SUMMER PLANNING Depending on what grade your student is in, you might consider making a loose, multi-year plan for the summers ahead. It’s absolutely possible for students to do more than one activity during the summer. If there are multiple activities a student would like to participate in, we encourage them to include them in their summer plan to see how a summer might flow. Map out possible activities for the next few summers, and see if you identify a common thread or interest to pursue. FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES: Summer programs, camps (including CIT programs), and travel are great options for exploring interests. • Paid programs on college campuses probably won’t have any impact on getting into college but can be helpful for students (especially those who are less engaged in the college process or are the first in their family to go to college) to experience what it’s like to live on a college campus and determine what they want in a college. JUNIORS AND SENIORS: Consider something that is more self-driven, such as a job, internship, or academic research. • Students gain valuable experience from researching, applying to, and interviewing for jobs or internships. PARENTS: Know your student and their schedule! • Make a plan that ensures the student doesn’t become too busy or overwhelmed. Students should never return to classes in the fall feeling burnt out and exhausted. COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 8
SUMMER PLANNING WORKSHEET Top Academic and Personal Interests (What are you most passionate about — or think you might be?) 1 2 3 4 5 Summer Goals And Desired Takeaways (What do you hope to accomplish and how do you hope to grow as a person? Examples: course credit, certifications, increased knowledge about a certain career or subject, foreign language proficiency, research experience, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 9
Summer Research: Program or Opportunity Goals/Takeaways Addressed Application Requirement/Deadline COLLEGEMATCHPOINT.COM 10
The team at College MatchPoint has developed a set of tools and
resources to help students and families successfully navigate the
college admissions process. We are committed to helping all students
thrive in their selected college, and the first step is reducing the stress
of the admissions process for students and parents alike.
With that in mind, we’ve used our team’s expertise—developed over years
of working with students, parents, and college admissions officers—to
create a library of free resources that you can use as you navigate the
college journey.
WWW.COLLEG E M ATC H POI N T.COM
FREE RESOURCES
Guide to Engagement In High Guide To Demonstrated Interest
School: The i4 Framework Demonstrated interest is the degree to which
The most successful college applicants have you show a college that you are sincerely inter-
engaged in activities that are based on their ested in attending their school. It has become
interests, aptitudes, and motivations. This an important, subtle tool that colleges use to
guide presents our i4 framework and walks you efficiently and accurately enroll a specific target
through how your student can optimize their number of students each year. This guide offers
interest, involvement, initiative, and impact to tips on showing demonstrated interest no matter
successfully engage during high school and your personality type, and we provide some
develop into a strong college applicant. examples of emails and conversation starters
to use with admissions representatives.
DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE
DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE
Guide To Highly Selective Colleges Guide to Informational Interviews
Applying to a highly selective college can be This worksheet will help your student prepare
daunting, but if your student has their heart for their informational interviews. It offers space
set on one, there are some guidelines they can to jot down potential questions and provides
follow to help them stand out from the crowd. structure for taking notes during the interviews
This guide discusses what highly selective and following up after.
colleges look for in students, how to achieve
DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE
“depth” in activities, and the importance of
having a specific application strategy for the
most selective schools.
DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE
Guide To Campus Tours Guide to Exploring College Majors
Touring colleges can be a great way to get a feel Choosing a major is an exciting journey, and it’s
for what a specific school is like, but because one to go into prepared — the choice of major
these visits are brief, it’s crucial to go into them will not only determine what they study for the
prepared. In this guide, we provide a college next four years, but also has the potential to
tour checklist, a list of not-to-be-missed campus impact the rest of the student’s likelihood of
destinations, and tips for making the most of admissions to many schools. This guide offers
your college visits. With this guide in hand, you suggestions for how to navigate the process,
can focus on taking advantage of this special important stats about majors and their career
time together with your student. tracks, information about how a major choice
will affect your student’s high school years,
DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE
and much more.
DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE
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