Yes, they do—but not in the way you might think. Colleges aren’t expecting you to save the world over the summer, but they are interested in how you use your free time. Did you challenge yourself? Learn something new? Take initiative? Whether you’re attending a summer program, working a part-time job, volunteering, or even teaching […]

Not at all. Admissions officers understand that not every student has the same financial resources. What they really want to see is how you make the most of your situation. Free or low-cost opportunities—like local internships, online classes, volunteering, or starting a project from scratch—can be just as impressive, sometimes even more so. Many top […]

Start with your interests! What do you enjoy learning about? What kind of activities get you excited? Choose a program that aligns with your goals—or helps you explore new ones. For example, if you’re into writing, try a creative writing workshop. Love science? Look for a hands-on STEM program. Also, think about your learning style. […]

First, don’t panic—it’s totally okay. Lots of competitive summer programs get thousands of applications, so not getting in doesn’t say anything bad about you. Instead of dwelling on it, shift your energy toward finding another opportunity. There are so many meaningful things you can do: volunteer locally, work a job, take a free online course, […]