Best Of

One of the most frequent questions I receive as an admissions consultant revolves around summer experiences: what truly makes an application shine, and how can students gain meaningful experience even without access to formal internships?

There's a common misconception that only prestigious, highly selective programs or paid positions "count." The reality is, what truly stands out to colleges is not necessarily the name of the program, but rather the depth of the experience and what the student gained from it.

When we review applications, we're looking for evidence of a student's readiness for college-level work and their potential for engagement. Here's a breakdown of what truly impresses and how students can articulate their experiences effectively:

What Types of Summer Experiences Truly Stand Out?

• Research-Oriented Programs/Experiences: If a student completes a research-type program or experience, it powerfully demonstrates their ability to work collaboratively with a professor or researcher, delve deeply into a subject, and engage in critical thinking. This showcases academic rigor and intellectual curiosity.
• Demonstrated Commitment: Regardless of the activity, consistent commitment to a project, cause, or organization is highly valued. We want to see that a student can stick with something and make a tangible impact.
• Passion and Presentation Skills: When a student can talk passionately and articulately about their summer endeavors, it truly stands out. This often comes through in interviews or essays. Even better if they had opportunities to develop presentation skills, sharing their work with others.
• Self-Guided Research Projects: For students who can't access formal research opportunities, a self-guided research project is an excellent alternative. This could involve finding online courses that teach research analysis techniques, then applying those skills to a topic of personal interest.
• Community-Based Projects: Using Education for Good: Encourage students to identify gaps in their school curriculum or needs within their local community and initiate projects that use their education for positive impact. This demonstrates initiative, problem-solving, and a commitment to civic engagement.
• College-Level Coursework: Taking community college (CC) classes, AP courses, or even passing AP exams (to show they've mastered the content even without the formal course) demonstrates readiness for a rigorous academic environment.
• Certifications: Earning relevant certifications in a specific field (e.g., coding, first aid) can highlight specialized skills and proactive learning.

Creative Ways to Gain Meaningful Experience Without Formal Internships:

Access to formal internships or paid positions isn't always possible, but that shouldn't deter a student! Here are creative alternatives:

• Just ASK! Often, the simplest approach is the most effective. Encourage students to directly ask small businesses, local organizations, or even places they frequent (like a favorite restaurant or local shop) if there are any opportunities to gain experience, even if it's unpaid or just for a few hours a week. Small businesses are often more flexible and eager for help.
• Local Volunteering: A simple Google search for "teen volunteer opportunities" in your area can yield surprising results. Hospitals, libraries, animal shelters, and senior centers often welcome teen volunteers.
• Seasonal Work: Working at a seasonal business (e.g., an ice cream shop, a summer camp in a non-counselor role, a farm stand) teaches valuable soft skills like customer service, time management, and responsibility.

Articulating Summer Experiences on an Application:

It's not just what you did, but how you talk about it. The goal is to highlight growth, learning, and contributions:

• Common App Activity Section: You have 10 activity slots and only 150 characters for each description. Be concise and impactful.
  • Use Numbers and Quantify: Whenever possible, quantify your contributions. Instead of "Helped with volunteer sign-ups," write something like: "Created a volunteer sign-up system that increased volunteer participation by 30% (or 'by 15 people')."
  • Focus on Impact and Responsibility: What was your role? What did you accomplish? How did your actions lead to a positive outcome?
• Essays: Summer experiences are fantastic material for essays. This is where students can truly elaborate on their growth, the challenges they overcame, the skills they developed, and how the experience shaped their interests or future goals. Use storytelling to bring the experience to life.

By thinking strategically about summer opportunities and how to articulate them, students can present a compelling narrative that showcases their unique strengths and readiness for college.

What are your go-to tips for gaining or articulating summer experiences? Share your insights below!