Planning for Summer in Winter

Although it is winter, now is the perfect time for high school students to start planning their summer. These months offer college-bound teens a valuable opportunity to explore pre-college programs. Don’t underestimate the value of volunteering or even getting a paid job. Here are a few options:

Academic Summer Programs

Many take place on a college campus and provide students with a real on-campus living experience. Note that many programs open their registration in December, pay attention to age requirements, any academic criteria, and application deadlines as programs can fill up. Explore new subjects of interest or ones for which you already have a passion. Some examples of programs with early application dates:

MIT Women’s Technology Program is a four-week, hands-on program to introduce rising senior girls who excel in math and science to explore the world of engineering.

Students at The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) will participate in research guided by scientific trainees from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medical Center. SSRP teams mirror the structure of a research laboratory, where there are 1-3 team leads who are supported by additional scientists. Each team will have its own space and resources in one of the dedicated RockEDU laboratories.

The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy allows rising high school seniors to discover business from the inside out. Explore how companies run, and understand how leaders solve problems. 

Yale Young Global Scholars is a two-week academic program. The curriculum is collaborative, exposing participants to innovative topics while facilitating student discussions shaped by international perspectives. Students have the opportunity to participate in a STEM, social sciences, humanities, or cross-disciplinary track.

Lehigh University Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive is a four-week summer program at Lehigh University, designed for high school students to develop skills in entrepreneurship, business, leadership, and intercultural understanding. Through immersive, hands-on learning, participants tackle complex global challenges in collaborative teams, learning to innovate and problem-solve in diverse cultural contexts. Open to U.S. and international students aged 15-17, IGEI fosters globally-minded  leaders ready to drive meaningful change.

Iowa Young Writers Studio allows promising high school-age creative writers to share their writing with teachers and peers, receive constructive critique, and develop their craft. Students are also allowed to participate in writing exercises and activities and attend readings and other literary events.

For those students interested in art, Summer Pre-College Programs is a great resource for programs around the country. Other university-based programs that may provide attendees with transferable college credit:

Georgetown University Summer High School Sessions, Harvard Summer School, Stanford Summer Session, Susquehanna Pre-College Program, and Stevens Pre-College Program. 

If you want to stay home don’t forget that your local community college may offer interesting classes. For other affordable options, students should check out Value Summer Programs for High School Students and Snow day.

Community Service

Spend the summer doing some community service or volunteer work. Colleges love to see applicants who have engaged in something bigger than themselves. There are a wide variety of formal opportunities both locally and abroad. You can also find local organizations that need help. Check out your local library, animal shelter, or a non-profit.

Get a job!

College is an expensive commodity and your family will always appreciate your ability to work over the summer and start putting money away. You might even be able to save enough money to buy some of your college textbooks! Colleges will always honor an applicant’s dedication and determination, and a job shows both responsibility and reliability – great qualities in a college student.

Keep your eyes on the prize! Take the dark days of winter as the perfect time to plan your summer activities because it all matters. If it matters to you, it matters to your colleges, so plan on engaging in activities that will make your application shine and tell your story authentically.

Photo by Ylanite Koppens: https://www.pexels.com/photo/summer-letter-cube-on-soil-1209611/