Seize the Summer (2021 Edition)
So, your student couldn’t get into any programs this summer. Maybe they missed the deadline, or maybe they couldn’t find one they liked. Not all is lost! Many parents believe summer programs are the only way to boost their child’s profile. While it can be an enriching experience, it is not necessarily the tipping point for their admission, especially if the courses or programs don’t do much to demonstrate a particular strength or further their academic and extra-curricular interests. We’ve said it before, not all programs are created equal! In fact, most summer programs are little more than a stylized vacation.
There’s still a lot your student can do to demonstrate their talent and intellectual curiosity if they are willing to get creative. Students can conduct independent research for a future independent project, or apply for prestigious contests and academic awards. If none of those will work for your child, here are some other ways to make sure your student keeps busy and productive during the summer:
Rising Seniors:
Almost there! Applying for your school of choice can take as long as a regular class during this year. Each year, Ivy Link gets a rush of stressed-out students who need help with their applications. To avoid the stress, here’s what you should focus on (and don’t wait until August!):
Prepare a “template” essay early on. This will be a good base that can be used in different applications.
Finalize your school list. This is a big decision process that is worth spending a lot of time thinking about. Make a pros and cons list, and decide which school will be your ED/EA choice.
Line up recommendation letters. This is more time-consuming than you think! Teachers or mentors may not see your email, or they may want you to draft a letter for them to build upon. Some might even bail! So start asking now, and line up as many quality recommendations as possible.
Research scholarships. Applying for them is a process in and of itself!
Prepare your activities list. This too is more time-consuming than most students realize. The Common App asks for a lot of detail for each of the activities you include, so take a look at the application and start compiling that information now.
Rising Juniors:
Eleventh grade is typically the most challenging year as classes will be more rigorous, final projects are more involved and time-consuming, and students have to complete the SAT and ACT. Plus, many students will also have to prepare for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. courses to challenge themselves. We recommend our students do the following over summer break:
Get ahead of your upcoming classes. If you know the upcoming reading list for English, or have access to the syllabus for math and science classes, take advantage! It never hurts to get ahead, and you’ll likely thank yourself later.
Create your own project. Turn your talents into a summer-long project.
Research scholarships. The sooner you start the better!
Begin prepping for the SAT and ACT. If you haven’t done so, register to take Ivy Link’s SAT or ACT diagnostics to determine how much prep you’ll need: https://www.myivylink.com/mock-testing
Rising Sophomores:
It may seem like you have all the time in the world, but as we previously posted, planning as early as ninth grade gives more room to strategize and make a big impact on your record. Putting off the work will only hurt your college admissions chances.
Research profile boosters. Spend some time looking for interesting scholarships/awards and internships to enhance your profile.
Plan for the upcoming year. Make the most of your school’s offerings in academics and extracurriculars.
Get involved. Brainstorm interesting ways to get involved at school and outside of school, such as joining a club with a leadership role.
Whether it is Test Preparation, Academic Tutoring, or College Admissions Advising, Ivy Link helps students maximize their potential and carve a path to success. For further information on any or all of our highly-regarded one-on-one programs, contact us today.
