I’m looking for a few ideas that might help my son with reach colleges. He does not have strong ECs right now but does have great stats and he’s a junior. I know one summer can’t make up for a few years of weaker ECs but it’s worth a try, plus it’s good for him to do something productive over the summer anyway. He will be working part-time but we wanted to add something more academic also.
I had seen suggestions on starting a blog and also on learning a language over the summer (well, starting to learn anyway) and he said he might be interested in getting started on Chinese. We won’t have transportation to take him places so it would need to be something he could do from home.
I don’t think learning Chinese from home will do much – that will be one more academic achievement and not an EC. I’d look for places he could volunteer at etc.
I think there are certain volunteer projects you can do from home… I remember putting together care packages for soldiers when I was little. Try looking online
I have heard it said that getting a traditional teenage summer job (like flipping burgers) is a surprisingly good idea in a lot of ways, and that good colleges look favourably at it. Transportation might be a problem, but are there really no places to work within a few miles?
I think internship is the best use of summer, but the deadlines for most applications should already pass. I am talking about competitive internships, not those you pay to attend.
I think special programs are only helpful if they add depth to a specific interest. For instance, if your kids is in love with Japanese and spends the summer taking additional Japanese coursework at the local CC - or even spending the summer in Japan if affordable. I think fancy, paid programs are okay if they dovetail with a special interest that has been demonstrated outside of that program. Otherwise, employment or a good, consistent volunteer position are just as appealing to colleges. JMO of course.
If he can’t drive, is there something in biking distance? My son bikes about 20 minutes to his EC. (Of course, your typical summer weather may affect this.)
My kids volunteered at the senior center. Older kid helped out in the computer lab and also helped write a program to optimize their bus schedules. Younger son taught origami class and gave violin concerts. (He did some research into what would have been popular when they were young. Played some traditional Irish stuff, old show tunes etc.) Both helped serve lunch.
Older son spent tons of his free time all year round teaching himself computer programming and about the Linux operating system. At one point he was taking courses through MIT’s open courseware.
I think extra academics are of limited use unless they really are something the kid wants to expand on. Older son was always happy to take a computer programming course, but they were surprisingly hard to find in our area. (He did take a computer graphics course another summer.)
If he is a rising senior, deadlines for summer internship applications are mostly behind you.
Try volunteering, but the most coveted positions may already be filled.
I agree that a good old summer job is undervalued. Several parents I know who sent their kids to pricey summer programs have not gotten much of a bump in college acceptances, but any good summer and life experiences will help students have more material for vivid essay writing.
Agree with AttorneyMother - colleges look well upon applicants who work. My son (who got into his reach school) went on a church-sponsored trip to a third world country to perform community service in addition to having a paying job.
Americorps has programs for teenagers (or at least partners with organizations that offer them). Definitely worth checking out, opportunities vary by state.
I always been wondering if flipping burgers for a middle class kid who doesn’t really need those money will be viewed in the same way as for a low income kid. Also I do not know how ethical it is to take low level jobs from someone who needs to help their family financially. I am not judging anyone. This is just something I have been thinking about.
How about something parallel to an Eagle Scout project, where he takes on everything from planning to coordinating to fundraising to construction for something that improves the community?
I would second the idea of volunteering in a place that might offer “life lessons.” Maybe a nursing home or a hospice?
Essays are going to be very important. I’m not suggesting that he actively mine the elderly and dying for essay material, but maybe being a blessing to someone in that situation might give his writing a different, more compelling voice.
How about a writing clinic, either online or otherwise with an excellent writing coach? Spend your summer exhaustively practicing your essay and writing skills.
This is all wrong. OP, I believe that anything your S does will be transparent to colleges. The whole approach of “how can I look good for colleges” is all wrong and won’t “work”.
The idea that his EC’s are “weak” is all wrong.
Your son is a good student. I think that he should find something to do that he’s either genuinely excited about or perhaps will help him figure out what he might want to do in the future. He is who he is and you should be proud of him regardless. He has lived his life well and should never be made to feel otherwise.
You need to find a set of good colleges who will accept and educate your S for who he is and not try to mold him into some artificial package in hopes of competing in the “achievement” game. To do otherwise would be putting the cart before the horse. There are plenty of good colleges where he will be a great fit.
My friend’s daughter got into UPenn early decision several years ago. When I asked her what factors she thought were the most important in helping her get admitted, she said this to me:
“I didn’t do anything for the sole purpose of getting into college or being able to put something on my resume. Everything I did was something I wanted to do, sought out, and enjoyed.”