Q: How should students aiming for top colleges spend their summer break?
A: If you dream of getting into a top college, you might wonder: should you enroll in a prestigious program, or simply unwind by the pool with a good book?
But the fact is clearer than expected. Prestigious colleges expect students to be intentional in continuing their learning over summer break, whether in big or small ways.
Missing the deadline for a formal academic program does not mean you should feel discouraged. Simply enrolling in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that matches your interests, or beginning an independent research project, can be more than enough as a great alternative.
The key is to keep track of your independent learning — whether it’s through a blog, podcast, or even a simple journal. If your summer learning leaves behind concrete output, it not only becomes a meaningful element in your college application, but also serves as useful material when writing your personal statement.
Top-tier universities, including the Ivy League, prefer students who are sensitive to the flow of the world and who have a sense of social responsibility. That’s because their ultimate goal is to educate graduates to grow into leaders who have a positive impact on society.
Therefore, applicants should show that they have developed their own perspective on major issues and seriously thought about how they can contribute to solving problems within their communities.
Even a small habit — like reading national news headlines for just 15 minutes a day, browsing local newspapers, or listening to a trusted news podcast like NPR News Now — can go a long way in building insight into current affairs and broadening your perspective and critical thinking.
Since it can be difficult to participate in volunteer activities during the school year due to classes and assignments, summer break is the perfect time to plan and carry out community service.
However, you should be careful when choosing volunteer work. Consider whether it connects to your interests, allows for leadership and personal growth, and whether it is a sustainable long-term activity.
While short-term volunteering can still leave a good impression, volunteering that ties into your own field of interest and leads to tangible experience is especially effective. For example, if you are interested in politics or public service, try joining a street campaign for local issues or getting involved with a political advocacy group.
If you’re hoping to major in marketing, you could offer your graphic design skills to a nonprofit organization.
And finally, if the right opportunity doesn’t exist — creating one yourself is also an option.
In the end, what top colleges are looking for is not flashy credentials — they want to see authentic signs of your personal growth. So make this summer count. Be intentional, stay curious, and let these experiences become stepping stones to your future.
This summer, spend your time intentionally and purposefully. Those experiences will come together to become a strong stepping stone toward a better future.
www.TheAdmissionMasters.com
BY ANGELINA CHO(Intern Reporter)
