Summer is a great time for rising seniors to get a head start on college applications. But all high school students can use the summer to begin preparing for the college admissions process.
This can mean pursuing interests you don’t have time to explore during the school year. Sign up for a course at a local college in a subject that’s not offered at your high school. If you’re interested in history, volunteer at a museum. If you‘re thinking about becoming a veterinarian, get a job at an animal hospital or shadow your family’s vet.
Need to take another SAT or ACT? Read widely to build your vocabulary and increase comprehension. Buy The Official SAT Study Guide or the Real ACT Prep Guide and take a practice test each week. If your schedule is packed with AP classes, sports and extracurricular activities during the school year, summer might be the best time for a test prep course.
Rising seniors who haven’t finalized their college list should research prospective schools. You’ll find lots of information about programs and student life on college websites. Contact alumni from your high school who attend colleges you’re interested in and ask what they like and don’t like about their school.
Rising juniors and sophomores, if possible, visit colleges that sound interesting. While you won’t see many college students, especially on smaller campuses that don’t have summer sessions, there will be other high school students visiting, and you can check out future classmates. A summer campus visit doesn’t truly convey what the school is like during the school year, but you can always return to the schools after you’re admitted to sit in on classes, spend the night in a dorm, experience the dining hall and get a real feel for college life.
This is also the time to complete one application that can serve as a prototype. Getting the information regarding all your academic honors, extracurricular activities and community service on paper now will lower the stress level when you’re facing application deadlines in fall. Starting your application essays early means you’ll have time to rewrite them and make sure you’re submitting your best work that truly reflects who you are.
Every task that gets done now means one less thing to worry about later. But it’s also important to take time for fun. The college admission process can be stressful; the best way to avoid burnout is to give yourself permission to spend some time doing whatever you enjoy.
