Making the most of your summer

Believe it or not, summer is finally here! Are you still looking for ways to enhance your application? Here are some ways to make the most out of your summer.

• Get a paying job. It builds character, gets you active, and – better still – earns you money! Maybe you can referee soccer or baseball, become a camp counselor, wait tables, or babysit. Keep track of your hours – colleges will want to know the average number you’ve worked each week, and the average number of weeks you’ve worked over the summer.

• Take summer classes. Consider a class at your local community college – you can get college credit while learning a new subject or exploring a favorite subject in greater depth. Many colleges and universities also offer online classes through sites like Coursera and EdX.

• Volunteer. Even if no businesses are hiring, that shouldn’t stop you from working. You can volunteer your time at a soup kitchen, cleaning up a park, raising money for a cause, or working in a hospital.

• Read. Go to your local library and get your hands on books that you haven’t had time to read during the school year. Colleges will be impressed when you write your academic interest statement about your own in-depth studies on a particular subject. (Not to mention a few college applications will ask you to list your favorite books that were not required reading.)
• Blog. Do you like music or TV or have strong political opinions? Do you want to let others hear your voice? You should start blogging about your favorite topics. You’ll improve your writing and communication skills.