It may feel strange to talk about summer plans in the middle of December — especially when you’re looking out at snow-covered sidewalks — but for high school students and their families, now is actually the perfect time to begin thinking ahead. Every year, parents ask the same question:
“What should my student do this summer to stand out in college admissions?”
And the honest answer is simpler — and more freeing — than most people expect.
There Is No “Magic” Summer Activity
One of the biggest myths in the college admissions world is that a single program or prestige-filled activity will dramatically boost a student’s chances of admission. In reality, there is no magic formula. No one-week camp or expensive program can automatically “tip the scales.”
This doesn’t mean summer activities don’t matter. They absolutely do — just not in the way many families assume.
Instead of searching for the perfect activity, the goal should be this:
👉 Choose experiences that help students learn, grow, and better understand their own interests.
That’s where the real value lies.
Reframe Summer as an Opportunity for Exploration
When families ask what their student “should” do, the question often comes from a place of wanting to improve admissions odds. But instead, it’s far more useful to think about summer as a time to enrich your student’s curiosities.
For example, in the transcript, Kim describes advising a student who was torn between pre-med and business. Instead of hunting for the most prestigious program, they brainstormed meaningful ways to explore his interests:
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Shadowing a financial planner or investment professional
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Participating in a week-long university business program
These activities weren’t chosen because they would “impress” an admissions committee. They were chosen because they would help the student determine:
Is business really what I want to study? And if so… why?
Why Summer Experiences Strengthen Applications
Most colleges ask students to indicate an intended major on their application. Some will even ask:
“Why did you choose this major?”
Students who have stepped into real experiences — shadowing, volunteering, working, exploring programs — can answer with clarity and authenticity.
It’s not about the résumé line.
It’s about giving students the ability to articulate their interests with evidence, confidence, and self-awareness.
This matters far more than whether the activity itself was prestigious.
Expensive Programs Aren’t Required
A common misconception is that students need to enroll in high-cost summer programs to be competitive.
But in truth:
👉 Many admissions officers view costly programs simply as evidence a family could afford them — not as an achievement on their own.
Students can learn just as much — and sometimes more — from:
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A part-time job
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Volunteering
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Independent projects
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Free or low-cost local programs
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Shadowing someone in a field of interest
What matters is the growth your student experiences and how well they can talk about it.
The Bottom Line: Focus on Growth, Not Prestige
Instead of asking, “What looks best?” shift to:
“What will help my student learn more about themselves?”
Any activity — formal or informal, paid or free — can be meaningful if it:
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Builds maturity
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Encourages responsibility
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Explores interests
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Helps clarify future goals
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Provides real experiences to reflect on and talk about
There is no magic trick. But there is incredible value in a thoughtful, enriching summer.
If you’d like help brainstorming meaningful options for your student, we’d love to support you. Book a free call with us to learn more about how we can help you on this important journey.
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