For students planning to apply to boarding schools, summer isn’t just a break from school—it’s an opportunity. Whether you’re aiming for a competitive prep school or just starting to explore your options, using your summer wisely can set you up for a smoother and more successful application season in the fall.
So how can you turn those sunny days into meaningful progress? Here’s a roadmap to help you plan a productive, interesting, and confidence-boosting summer.
Choose Enriching Academic or Extracurricular Activities
Admissions officers love to see that you’ve spent your summer learning, growing, and staying curious. But that doesn’t mean you need to enroll in a dozen advanced courses or take up fencing (unless you want to!).
Think about what excites you and choose one or two activities that show you’re engaged and motivated. Here are a few ideas:
- Take a summer course in a subject you enjoy—math, creative writing, computer programming, or even public speaking. Local colleges or online platforms usually offer great options.
- Join a summer camp or workshop that focuses on your interests. Whether it’s theater, robotics, leadership, or sports, these programs can help you develop skills and meet other motivated students. Check out the summer programs offered by the boarding schools you’re interested in attending, too!
- Volunteer for a cause you care about. Even a few hours a week at a local food pantry or animal shelter can demonstrate responsibility, empathy, and initiative.
No matter what you choose, the key is to do it with intention. Depth is often more impressive than breadth.
Build Skills That Show Growth and Initiative
Summer is a great time to strengthen the qualities boarding schools look for—things like independence, resilience, curiosity, and leadership. Ask yourself: What areas could I grow in this summer?
Maybe it’s becoming more organized, speaking up in group settings, or managing your time more effectively. Setting a few personal goals—like reading a certain number of books, learning to cook for your family once a week, or starting a small creative project—can help you grow in ways that will shine through in your application.
You could also:
- Start a passion project. Write a blog, build a model, start a book club, or teach yourself an instrument. Passion projects stand out because they show self-direction.
- Take on a responsibility at home. Helping care for younger siblings or running errands builds maturity and demonstrates character—two things schools value highly.
These experiences might not go directly on a résumé, but the skills you gain will be evident in your interviews and essays.
Get a Head Start on Interviews, Essays, and Tests
You don’t have to complete your whole application over the summer—but a little early prep can go a long way.
Interviews:
- Practice answering questions about your interests, experiences, and why you want to attend boarding school.
- Work on eye contact, posture, and speaking clearly. These are all things you can practice informally with a parent, friend, or even in front of a mirror.
- Be ready to ask questions. Schools want to know that you are curious about them, too.
Essays:
- Start brainstorming essay topics. What experiences have shaped you? What challenges have you overcome? What are you passionate about?
- Write a rough draft or two. Don’t worry about getting it perfect—just get your ideas on paper. You’ll be glad you started early once fall gets busy!
Standardized Tests:
- If you plan to take the SSAT or ISEE, use the summer to review key concepts and take a few practice tests.
- Consider a prep course or one-on-one tutoring if you need extra support—but even free online resources and flashcards can make a difference.
Create a Clear Summer Plan
It’s easy to let summer slip by if you don’t have a plan. Sit down with your parents or a trusted adult and map out what you want to accomplish over the next few months. Keep it simple and realistic—you don’t have to fill every hour, but a little structure goes a long way!
Try organizing your summer goals into three buckets:
- Academic enrichment (e.g., a summer course or daily reading)
- Personal growth (e.g., a volunteer activity or responsibility at home)
- Application prep (e.g., working on essays or preparing for the SSAT)
Check in with yourself weekly. What’s working? What’s not? Small adjustments will help you stay on track without burning out.
The boarding school admissions process is not just about grades and test scores. It’s also about who you are, how you think, and how you contribute to your community. By using your summer to learn, grow, and reflect, you’ll be in a much stronger position to share your story this fall—with confidence.
So go ahead: set some goals, take on a challenge, and make this summer count. Your future school is waiting to hear all about it. And if you’re looking for extra support in making this happen, contact Sesameed to learn how our boarding school admissions counseling can help!
