Colleges want to admit students who are able to successfully balance their academics with other responsibilities. Summer work and volunteering demonstrate character and maturity. Because of this, these types of experiences always look great on a college application. That said, there are other summer programs for high schoolers that also look good on college applications.
If you want to stand out from your peers, push yourself in areas that interest you. Being involved in extracurricular activities conveys commitment and responsibility, especially if you are in a leadership position. Dedicating time to extracurriculars, your community, and to your job helps distinguish you as an applicant. This is why summer programs are important to keep in mind during your high school career.
In this article, we will review 25 summer activities that will impress colleges, including summer jobs for high schoolers, summer internships for high schoolers, and student passion project examples. Remember, pursuing meaningful summer experiences during high school can help bolster your college applications by setting you apart from your peers.
High school GPA and standardized test scores are very important for your college applications. Thankfully, though, most colleges follow holistic college admissions standards . This means that college admissions officers are interested in who you are as a person, in addition to your capabilities as a student. In other words, academics are only one factor to consider. Part of being a good student is knowing how to prioritize different responsibilities and manage your time, and that’s what will impress colleges.
You do not need to score a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in order to stand out to admissions officers. Getting into prestigious and selective pre-college summer programs can go a long way, but there are a variety of summer activities that impress colleges.