One thing I see mentioned on this forum frequently is getting one’s musical experience outside of school rather than school bands, orchestras, etc.
Does the same apply to vocalists? I’m not sure another out of school choir would be beneficial since choral music does not necessarily help your solo voice. I do participate in a choir during the summers but it is not any more challenging than my HS choir. Are there any other types of out of school experiences I should be looking for? I feel like I’m missing something, or maybe all the talk about out of school experience is just directed towards instrumentalists. Help me please??
It depends on what kind of vocalist you hope to be. For classical and opera, I will let some other experts on this forum give their views. From a jazz, pop, folk and R&B perspective, you can gain a lot of experience and confidence by getting out and playing gigs in solo or small ensembles at open mikes and caberets. If your town doesn’t have such opportunities, then try to attend some summer music camps that will expose you to that type of performance opportunities. (Berklee 5-week, for example). If your high school has an a Capella group, get involved so you can learn and experience new songs and gain more performance experience. There is a lot to be said also for knowing how to schedules, setup, and tune your voice in different kinds of venues with different types of microphones and amps.
Regardless of age you should be pursuing private voice lessons with the best teacher you can afford. Proper voice technique and vocal health are paramount to any singer. Technique will be the base of any style, and good vocal health will get you through future auditions regardless of what is thrown at you.
If you are interested in classical, find the best private voice teacher you can afford and start taking lessons pronto. Although there are competitions and summer programs for those in high school interested in classical, its wise to be guided by your teacher and not over sing especially in choral settings.
Agree, work with the best private teacher you can. One who has sent students to the programs you are interested in attending. DD prepared recitals with her private teacher. She also sang solos at church. Her church choir director did not insist on “blending”. Said it was his job to blend not hers. It was the best pre-college prep avaiable.
Ditto to the 2 comments above.
I’m learning by reading this forum that the path of the instrumentalist and vocalist are different. My daughter started much later. You can’t really start voice lessons until 14+ My daughter started with a good voice teacher in her sophomore year. But it wasn’t uncommon to see people entering as Juniors however all were singing in choirs and musical theater for a few years. My daughter did NO summer programs ever besides All State Choir. She never met any teachers at colleges prior to auditions. She did however work with a very good voice teacher who guided her. She was at a music school and I knew other vocalists. Her situation was the norm. Many of the students including my daughter got into good college programs.
So look for the best voice teacher you can find. A teacher who has worked with students who have gone off to college for voice. They won’t mind you asking. And then take a sample lesson or two (which you will pay for) and see if you feel good about it. You’ll know the right teacher when you find him/her.
I have an excellent voice teacher who has already improved my voice so much this year. Good to know I’m already doing everything I should be 
thank you knowledgeable parents of cc
You can also look for summer camps at the schools where you would like to apply. It gives you a chance to work with some faculty and get the vibe of the school.