Top 5 ‘College Admissions Things’ to Do This Summer

Summer is here! If you haven’t already drowned in all your sweat as a result of the sweltering 100+ degree weather, then hopefully you’re enjoying the stress-free life of sleeping in, hanging out with friends, and reading for PLEASURE not because it’s “required reading!” However, as much as we look to summer as a period of uncompromised unproductivity, it might be wise to every now and again use your free summer time to be even a tad bit ambitious in your college admissions prep.

This post is particularly for our RISING SENIORS because when school starts up again and you’re swamped with school work (sorry to remind you!), these college admissions tasks are only going to feel like an added burden to the hours of homework you’ll have on deck. From retaking the SAT to gathering letters of recommendation to possibly already working on your early decision applications, September through December is going to be quite hectic for you! So if I were you, I would USE YOUR SUMMER WISELY! Here are just a few simple things you can knock out this summer and you’ll thank yourself later!

1. Apply for scholarships

Many scholarships require writing an essay. It’s a pain in the butt, but it’s got to be done. During this summer when you’re not working on a giant English paper or science project, use this time to apply for scholarships! An essay each week for the entire summer can potentially equal thousands of dollars for college! There is no better time than SUMMER time to work on scholarship applications because you have no competing schoolwork to get done and therefore NO EXCUSES! So register for www.Scholarships.com right now and get started!

2. Do community service

When in doubt, go plant a tree. That is what I tell all high school students who have absolutely nothing planned for this summer; you have no summer job, you’re not at a camp or summer program, or have any vacation plans. Instead of sitting on your butt in front of the TV all day everyday, take a few hours a week and go volunteer at a local soup kitchen, nursing home, pet adoption clinic, or plant a tree. You can never have enough community service hours and logging hours over the summer shows colleges you like to stay active and productive year round. Call up your church or temple, school, or library for more information on organizations looking for casual volunteers.

3. Research colleges

Take 5 minutes and sit down and ask yourself “what am I looking for in a college?” Come up with a list of required criteria and then, while you’re sitting in front of the TV catching up on old episodes of Breaking Bad, whip out your laptop or smart phone and begin researching colleges that might meet those categories! Visit the websites of colleges in which you’re interested and read, read, read! Slowly you’ll start to draft a college list and in the fall, when you sit down with your guidance counselor, you can work on narrowing that list down to the lucky few to which you’ll apply.

4. Go on college visits

When school starts back up again, it’s going to be very hard to schedule college visits around your busy school schedule and parents’ work schedule. While it’s summer and everyone has more free time, plan a road trip to visit some colleges! Go to a university’s website and sign up for a tour. There are also several cheap bus companies (Bolt Bus, Mega Bus, Greyhound) that offer affordable tickets to places nationwide. Before visiting a college, come up with a list of questions you’d like to ask your tour guide and, while on campus, be sure to stop into the admissions office and try to speak to the specific admissions officer in charge of recruiting students from your state. Introduce yourself and make up a question to ask them. The purpose is just to get on their radar so they will hopefully remember you and see how serious you are about attending their school. If a school is too far or expensive for you to visit, take a virtual tour online on websites like www.CampusTours.com.

5. Think about your college essay

Your college essay is the one part of the college application that can truly set you apart from other applicants who may have better grades or higher SAT/ACT scores than you. Through your essay you can show a unique side of your personality that just might connect with the admissions officer reading your application and get you admitted! Over the summer, you don’t necessarily have to begin writing your college essay but at least start thinking about what you may want to write. Go to www.CommonApp.org, take a look at the college essay questions, and start to brainstorm! Think of important moments in your life that have shaped who your are, people who have impacted your life, and accomplishments that are unique and make you proud. Keep a list for when autumn returns and you really start to write your essay.

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Natasha Scott is the author of The College Admissions Bible. Visit www.CollegeAdmissionsBible.com for more information. To contact Natasha for a speaking engagement or other opportunities, email her at info@collegeadmissionsbible.com or call 973-951-4613.