Summer break is often seen as a time to unwind—and after a busy school year, you definitely deserve some rest. But if you’re a high school student hoping to attend a U.S. college or university, summer can also be a powerful opportunity to get ahead in the college admissions process. Here’s how to use your summer to build a stronger college candidate profile.
Use Your Summer to Build a Strong College Application
Colleges love to see more than just good grades and test scores. They want students who are curious, driven, and engaged in their communities. Fortunately, summer offers the perfect window to explore interests, build new skills, and pursue experiences that show who you really are.
So how can you make your summer both meaningful and enjoyable? Let’s explore some ways to turn your time off into a season of growth and impact.
Pursue Activities That Reflect Your Passions
The best summer activities are the ones that feel like an extension of who you already are. Think about what excites you, what challenges you, and what you’re curious to learn more about. Your summer doesn’t need to be packed with high-profile internships or expensive programs. What matters most is that your experiences are genuine and aligned with your interests.
Here are a few examples:
- Love science or medicine? Consider shadowing a local doctor, interning at a research lab, or enrolling in a STEM-focused summer course.
- Passionate about social issues? Volunteer with an organization that addresses causes you care about like, climate change, animal rights, or food security.
- Creative at heart? Start a personal blog, build a design portfolio, film a short documentary, or write a collection of poems or stories.
- Hoping to earn a sports scholarship? Use your extra time in the summer to hone your skills—join a club or travel team, play in pick-up games, or take extra personal lessons if it’s in your budget!
These experiences show initiative and help you stand out in a sea of applications.
Try Internships or Job Shadowing
Real-world experience can go a long way in shaping your goals—and impressing colleges. Internships, even informal ones, give you a behind-the-scenes look at different careers while helping you build responsibility and communication skills.
- Talk to your guidance counselor before the school year is over about formal summer internship opportunities in your area.
- Ask family, friends, or teachers if they know someone in a field that interests you who would be willing to be a mentor.
- Reach out to local businesses or nonprofits. Even a short-term shadowing opportunity or helping with simple tasks can offer valuable insight.
Not every internship will be paid or glamorous, but any experience that helps you grow and teaches you something new in a field you’re interested in is worthwhile.
Enroll in a Summer Academic Program
Academic summer programs—whether online or in-person—can deepen your knowledge in subjects you love and introduce you to new ones. These programs also show colleges that you’re committed to learning beyond the classroom.
- Many universities offer pre-college programs in areas like business, coding, journalism, and global studies.
- Community colleges often provide affordable courses that can even earn you college credit.
- Online platforms like Coursera or Khan Academy allow you to study at your own pace, on your own schedule.
Be sure to choose programs that genuinely interest you, not just ones that sound impressive. Passion always comes through in your application.
Create a Personal Project
Don’t underestimate the power of a self-directed project. Whether you start a podcast, build a website, launch a fundraiser, or teach yourself how to play an instrument, personal projects reflect initiative, creativity, and follow-through—qualities colleges admire.
Some project ideas:
- Start a local tutoring network for younger students.
- Create a video series about an issue you care about.
- Develop a business idea or app prototype.
- Research a topic and write a blog series on it.
Personal projects also give you rich material for your college essays and interviews. They show who you are beyond the classroom.
Balance Productivity with Purpose
Yes, it’s important to use your summer intentionally—but that doesn’t mean burning out or filling every minute with “application-worthy” activities. Colleges want students who are self-aware, not just resume-builders.
- Set a few goals at the start of the summer and create a light structure to help you stay on track.
- Leave time for reflection. Journal, take walks, and think about what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown.
- Rest and recharge. A well-balanced student who takes care of their mental health is really impressive!
The most impactful summer experiences are the ones that show who you are and what you’re passionate about, not just what you’ve done. Whether you’re working a part-time job, attending a leadership camp, or creating something from scratch, colleges want to see depth, purpose, and personal growth.
So, as summer approaches, think beyond the checklist. Follow your curiosity. Take initiative – or maybe take a road trip to visit a few schools. Be intentional. Your future college–and especially your future self–will thank you for it. For more tips on strengthening your candidate profile and additional helping navigating the college application process, contact Sesameed anytime for a free consultation!
