Best summer activities for college admissions

Summer is around the corner. It is important to look into activities that will allow you to further explore your academic interests and allow you to differentiate yourself in the college admissions process. While summer is a good opportunity to unwind and recharge your batteries, it’s also smart to use the time to build a compelling portfolio of experiences that will support your applications.

Here are three fun and easy activities you might consider pursuing this summer:

Learn a new language
We live in a truly global world. Many high school students are already somewhat fluent in a second language. Being fully fluent – or being trilingual in an additional language – can demonstrate passion and focus to admissions officers. Whether taking entry level courses at a community college, picking up Rosetta Stone or doing a language immersion program abroad, you will be ahead of the game.

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!
Probably the easiest way to get involved is to volunteer. Not only will college admissions officers be impressed with your taking initiative, but it will also be a great way to give back to the community. You can volunteer with a local charity or nonprofit or with a national organization, like Habitat for Humanity. When possible, try to volunteer with an organization (or in a role) that is aligned with your academic interests.

Pursue academic summer programs
Academic summer programs are a good option for high school juniors because they combine rigorous learning programs and social experiences. Plus, you get to meet talented students from across the country. Some of the most popular programs include Vanderbilt’s Summer Academy, Duke TIP and Stanford’s EPGY Summer Institutes. Applications are often competitive so get started early!