HOW SUMMER PROGRAMS CAN BOOST COLLEGE APPLICATIONS BY JANICE HALLER
ummer programs are a great way to explore new interests, follow your passion, and make new friends. You can participate online or in-person; stay overnight, or just attend during the day. You can experience a summer in the woods, in the middle of the ocean, or in the hallowed halls of some of the finest academic institutions in the world. But a question remains: will a summer program boost your chances on your college application? If so, how? What kind of summer program should you look for? How can you use your experience to make you stand out?
SUMMER PROGRAMS CAN HELP YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION Yes, summer programs can help your college application. But how it can help is up to the applicant and the school they’re applying to. Kate Sonnenberg from KS College Success emphasized that “the program itself matters 44 | 2024 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO SUMMER PROGRAMS
less than what they learn about themselves and how they grow from the summer experience – whether it’s domestic or international service, a pre-college academic program, or an internship…” However, she made it clear that “students must do things that interest them for the intrinsic benefit because it is always impossible to predict what will ‘move the needle’ in college admissions.” In fact, the biggest takeaway students and their families should walk away with is that “[a] ny growth experience is a good experience, as long as the student can explain it to colleges in their application.” “Growth” is a constant running theme in college admissions. No matter the year or the incoming freshman class, college admission boards across the country want to know how their future graduates grew or will grow into their own on campus. However what is considered growth and meaningful isn’t a “one size fits all” situation. Growth depends on the individual, their interests, and their personal shortcomings.
