What Your Student Does This Summer Matters More Than You Think
- Posted by admin
- on
- in College Pete
March may still feel like winter in many places, but in the world of college admissions, summer planning season has already begun.
And the families who start now have a major advantage.
By June, most of the best summer opportunities—internships, programs, research placements, and volunteer roles—are already filled. What’s left is often what I call “summer drift”: a few scattered activities and a lot of lost potential.
Here’s the reality most families don’t realize:
College applications are not evaluated like a checklist. Admissions officers are not counting clubs or tallying volunteer hours. They are trying to understand who a student is and what drives them.
The strongest applications tell a story.
And summer is where many of those stories unfold.
A student who spends a summer working a part-time job might discover leadership and resilience. Another who volunteers regularly might confront challenges that lead to meaningful reflection. A student who starts a small project—coding, research, art, writing, business—might uncover a passion that shapes their academic direction.
None of these experiences need to be flashy. What matters is intentionality and growth.
The right summer experience can:
• Reveal genuine interests
• Build meaningful skills
• Create powerful essay material
• Distinguish a student from thousands of similar applicants
And the window to properly plan for that experience is NOW.
To help you do that I’m hosting a FREE WEBINAR on March 25th on:
The Summer Opportunities That Strengthen College Applications
We’ll be covering:
- The types of summer experiences colleges value most
• How students turn experiences into compelling application stories
• Programs, internships, jobs, and independent projects worth considering
• How to align summer activities with a broader college strategy
This evening session will help families think about summer not as a break from school—but as a strategic opportunity for growth.
For this one-time even I’ll be joined by Guest Experts
Dr. Andrea Maldonado, Ph.D., Director of International & Overseas Admissions for the National Student Leadership Conference
Hannah Joy Sachs, Senior Program Director of Where There Be Dragons
Both organizations specialize in experiential learning programs that help students explore interests, develop leadership, and build meaningful experiences.
This webinar is designed for:
- High school students (grades 9–11)
• Parents beginning to plan summer experiences
• Families thinking about college admissions strategy
One final thought: Don’t Wait Until June to think about this summer.
Most of the most valuable summer opportunities fill early.
Families who plan now give their students a real advantage.
I urge you to reserve your seat for this free webinar and start planning your student’s summer strategically.
