3 Summer Activities To Make Your College Application Shine. Comprehensive Educational Platform

3 Summer Activities To Make Your College Application Shine.

June 20th, 2011 | by Charles Holroyd |

Did you know that the things you do this summer could make a big difference in the quality of your college application?

Its true! Make the right moves now and youll have a leg up over your competition when the college admissions process begins—not to mention some great experiences to talk about when school starts again in the fall.

Want an impressive college application? Participate in a pre-college summer program.

Whether youre interested in art or computer science, theater or engineering, theres sure to be a pre-college summer program thats right for you. Ranging in length from one to six weeks, these programs are designed to immerse you in a specific field of study, giving you the opportunity to really explore a topic that interests you. Enrolling in a pre-college program can be a great way to explore a potential college major!

Another plus? In addition to looking good on your college application, Many of these programs can earn you college credit!

College applications look great when you volunteer.

Many top colleges like to see community involvement on your college application. And you know what? Summer is the perfect time to volunteer! To get started, think about what youre passionate about—animals? Healthcare? Global warming?

Once youve identified what kind of volunteer opportunity you want to pursue, do some research to find local organizations dedicated to your area of interest. Sometimes its obvious. If you want to be a doctor, getting involved with the local hospital makes sense. If you love animals, your local Humane Society is a good place to start your search.

But if you need help finding the right opportunity, you might try looking online. Check out the Google Directory page dedicated to teen volunteering opportunities—theres bound to be something that interests you!

Make your college application stand out with an internship.

Think internships are just for college students? Think again! For motivated high school students like you, a completed internship can be a great way to stand out in a crowded pool of college applications.

So think about what youd like to major in, then research local companies that work in those industries. Dont be afraid to get in touch with them! You might be surprised at how receptive corporations can be to high school students.

You can also use the internet to find listings of internships currently available. The College Board has lots of great information, as well as links to internship directories.

Put your summer to good use with activities like these and youll be well on your way to breezing through the college application process—and attending the college of your dreams!

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Photo courtesy of Kara Allyson.

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