Hi, Reader!

I know it’s not even spring break for most, but you best believe I’m already thinking ahead to summer.

It’ll be here before you know it … do you know how you’re going to spend it?

Colleges love to see students making the most of their summers — gaining knowledge, getting experience in fields they’re interested in, and serving their communities — but that doesn’t mean you need to spend thousands on a fancy program.

Here are some smart (and sometimes free) ways to use your summer wisely:

• Academic Enrichment — Online courses (edX, Coursera, or college-sponsored summer programs) can help you explore a field of interest.
• Internships & Research — Look for local businesses, nonprofits, or professors at nearby colleges who might let you shadow, intern, or assist in research.
• Volunteering With Purpose — Instead of logging random service hours, find a cause that truly interests you and contribute in a meaningful way. Leadership roles stand out.
• Passion Projects — Start a blog, launch a podcast, create an art portfolio, or build an app. Independent projects show initiative and creativity.
• Work Experience — Even a part-time job at a local store teaches responsibility, leadership, and time management, and those are skills colleges value.

Of course, beyond this, students can also be doing college research and doing campus visits (for some schools, this show of demonstrated interest can even help tip the admissions scales slightly in your favor). And if you’re a junior, you’ll want to start working on your essays this summer (and now that the Common App has confirmed their prompts will be the same, you’re ready to start brainstorming that essay).

What you do now can shape your applications later, so choose wisely when you’re thinking about how to spend your summer.

Happy Writing!

Julia

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