Things to do the summer before senior year

Applying to College
1

<p>Any suggestions on things to do this summer that would look good on an application? I have a less than desirable GPA for the schools I am looking at and would like to do something to boost my application. I am already volunteering at two animal shelters. Please don't tell me to have fun and enjoy the summer, the thought of college admissions is really stressing me out and I need to boost my application.</p>

<p>This summer I am thinking about starting a website/blog about vegetarianism where I live, listing events and stuff like that. Would it be stupid to put this on a college application? I think it would show I am unique in someway. I am also going to try to start a vegetarianism/animal rights club at my high school in the fall, so it kind of ties in.</p>

2

<p>Discover a planet, and be sure to name it after yourself.</p>

<p>you can buy a good telescope for under 300 dollars.</p>

<p>look long and hard</p>

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<p>Unless your website/blog is going to get national attention, or if your writing is going to be published, it won't help that much. If I were you, I'd start working on my college essays ASAP. Guess what a topic could be? Exactly what you talked about in the second paragraph.</p>

4

<p>Find a cure for cancer.</p>

<p>Save the world from aliens.</p>

<p>Win the Nobel Peace Prize.</p>

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<p>I know I won't be giving stupid fake responses on a college forum.</p>

6

<p>btw, since you're new to CC, i'll give you a break.</p>

<p>1] research something you like. it'll help, you can send an abstract in with your application, and you can enter it into INTEL or Siemens or something, where results come in before college admissions and can help if you do well! there are some research programs that are prestigious and can give you a good research experience, or you can contact nearby professors at your local college or nearby university and ask if they need lab help. basically write them an email and tell them what you know and what you'd like to research, and how you can help around the lab =D</p>

<p>2] take Community College classes, especially in something you like to show consistency w/ your ECs and major choice and passion. </p>

<p>3] community service, it does look good.</p>

<p>4] one of those prestigious camps like TASP. if you're not already a junior, apply to a prestigious summer camp. others include MIT WTP, SSP (in New Mexico/Cali), RSI, etc. and some more prestigious research camps. they usually have HYP admissions rates of like 80% or 100% if it's RSI :p BUT some of them, especially RSI and TASP, are super-hard to get into. and if you can get in you don't need help with college admissions anywayss=]</p>

<p>All of the above have been discussed and have been agreed upon by CCers that they look good for colleges.</p>

<p>BUT</p>

<p>if you're going to ask a question like that in the original post, you must do it like this (it's an unspoken rule here on CollegeConfidential)</p>

<p>"i am SO PASSIONATE about everything i do, and i really want to make a difference in the world because I love the world and can't stand to do something unproductive for a whole summer, so would you give me some ideas on things to do that would be productive and would, as a side note, look good on a college application (not that it matters or anything)?"</p>

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<p>^ i hate those fake posters that say they are really passionate about everything . honesty is always the best policy.</p>

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<p>please dont be mad at the people who want good things for college, they only want to do it because they are passionate about something-being successful in life by getting the best possible education. and instead of wailing on people who wanna do things with no passion, have you ever thought these people might develop a passion for it after trying multiple activities? Sure they are doing it to look good to colleges, but I am 99% sure that they are gonna try to be as involved in the activity as possible giving them a bigger opportunity at developing a deep passion towards it.</p>

<p>but I dunno, there are some unconcious freaks who wanna do stuff only to look good and not for self awareness or self improvements</p>

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<p>get a job 10 char</p>

10

<p>what does 10 char mean? ive seen that here before?</p>

11

<p>10 charisma?</p>

<p>Anyway yeah, my GPA slipped during junior year b/c of a medical condition so I just want something to focus on this summer that shows I'm not a lazy slacker. It would be great if it was related to what I love, but at this point I just need something to boost my application. Thanks for the responses so far, I will look into the summer college programs around here.</p>

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<p>lol it means ten characters</p>

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<p>oh lol 10 char</p>

14

<p>hahha yeah because you cant post unless its at least 10 characters. i <em>just</em> realized this like yesterday or i would have asked too. :D</p>

15

<p>Write your college essays, prepare your college applications, study for SATs if you need to improve your scores so that you can maximize your Senior 1st semester GPA. If you have some time left get job or take a class at your area of interest.</p>

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<p>mistophoid- here's my advice.</p>

<p>i would start doing college essays. organize ur stuff. narrow down your search. along with that stuff start doing something that clearly stands out on ur application...like creating a public event and raising money...organize a walk for cancer. make sure u also take ur SAT II tests if u haven't already done that..study ur ass off for those. study for ACT/SAT..get prepared and get ready to kick some serious ass in october.
start looking for scholarships. getting into college is one thing, but affording the education is the hardest part. </p>

<p>i would also write maybe a research paper that u are passionate about. for example, i am writing a paper on MPTP production and its vast affects in different species relating to parkinsonian syndrome. i am proposing a theoretical model that i would like to test in college..do something like that- of course i am sending it to college duh..as well as my abstract for my research i have been doing since like 9th grade.</p>

<p>if you are passionate about science, get YOUR B*TT into a research lab. RESEARCH is excellent. research will let u into the door. research will do good things for u in the future. trust me. </p>

<p>as someone said, do siemens competition.
maybe organize another club at ur church or library about prejudice elimination</p>

<p>take COLLEGE COURSES IN A REAL COLLEGE. maybe get a degree in something like CNA or Emergency technician. </p>

<p>i think u get the idea. just make sure u do something besides just volunteer work (which is really good)</p>

<p>also make sure u have fun at the same time :)</p>