For high school juniors, the summer before senior year is the last summer you'll be able to highlight on your college applications. To help you stand out from the competition and make your senior year less stressful, here are 5 strategic summer action items:

  1. Be involved in summer activities that correspond to your areas of interest. This may involve an internship, part-time job, volunteering, an entrepreneurial endeavor, a research opportunity, summer program, or other activity.
  2. Create a document that lists the activities you have been involved in throughout high school. This will help move the process along when beginning to work on college applications.
  3. Write the essays for your college applications. This will significantly reduce stress during senior year.
  4. Create your college lists. Visit campuses, or if that's not possible, attend virtual info sessions, if available. Fill out information to get on colleges' contact lists. Choose a balance of safety, target, and reach schools. Choose schools that have courses in areas you are interested in. Connect with students at those colleges on social media. Ask about academics, social life, and internships offered through the college's career planning office.
  5. Research local and regional scholarships that you might be a good candidate for.

Overwhelmed? Not sure where to begin? A SpanOne college counselor can assist you with the entire college application process. To learn about our program, contact us for a free 30-minute consultation by clicking on the Free Assessment button.