Summer is almost here—time for the beach, ice cream, sunshine, hiking, sleeping late, hanging out with friends...and did I mention ice cream? But it’s also time to think ahead. With senior year and college applications coming up, I want to share a few tips that will get you on the right path to hit the ground running in the fall:
Read
Several colleges (I’m looking at you Boston College, University of Chicago, Columbia, Wake Forest, and USC) ask what books you like, so use this time to read a few for yourself instead of for class.
Need some suggestions? Ask one of your instructors, or check out one or two of our summer reading lists. Bonus: if you’re still studying for the SAT or ACT, reading for pleasure will help improve your reading comprehension and likely your scores.
Work
Not only is it nice to have some spending money, but colleges also love to see you involved outside the classroom—especially if it is something you’re passionate about. Bonus points if you’re able to do something new and unique!
If paid jobs aren’t available, consider volunteering instead for a cause you care about. This gives you the valuable opportunity to make a lasting impact on your community.
Take a Class
Many colleges and universities offer pre-college courses in the summer, which give you a chance not only to learn in a college setting, but also get an in-depth experience of the campus and surrounding area of a school where you might decide to apply!
If you can’t enroll in a college course for credit, there are also plenty of excellent online options. Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy all offer a great variety of courses to choose from. Colleges appreciate you challenging yourself and going above and beyond with coursework; additional classes can help show further proficiency and mastery of the subject(s) you intend to study in college.
Prepare for Standardized Tests
This is a perfect time to improve your standardized testing so that in the fall, you can focus on school and acing your classes. Our tutors will help you strategize about how to maximize your time and achieve your goals on the June, August, September, and/or October tests.
Start Your Essays
You will need to write those essays at some point, so why put them off until the last minute? Check out the Common App essay topics and see if any of them stand out to you. Write down some thoughts for each topic as you read through them; then you can circle back to them a little later to write your first full draft.
Map Out the Road Ahead
Look up when the deadlines are for the colleges you are applying to and work backward. Be sure to give yourself enough time to complete all the applications, essays, supplements, and recommendation letters (we recommend starting in June or July). If you work with a college advisor, they’ll help you stay on track throughout the summer.
This may seem like a lot, but it becomes more manageable when you break it down into steps. There will be plenty of time to enjoy an ice cream cone this summer—but trust me, when school starts up again, you’ll be glad you used part of your summer to prepare.