Student Summer Opportunities
We still have months of cold and snow ahead of us, but it’s a great time to begin thinking about summer plans for students. While summer is a great time for resting and recharging from the busy school year, it’s also an ideal time for older students to further explore extracurricular, academic, and potential career interests.
These opportunities can also be community service or travel-related. Great use of time in summer, whether doing a global exchange program or working at the local bagel shop, has one thing in common: it stretches students to think in new ways and changes their perspective on the world.
In terms of what looks “best” for college applications, it’s a misconception that expensive summer programs are necessary for a college resume. Admission offices are looking for students’ ability to reflect on their experiences, whatever they may be, in meaningful ways.
Colorado College Director of Admission, Matt Bonser, says, “It doesn’t matter so much what students do but rather that they approach opportunities thoughtfully in pursuing topics or themes which they love and that they take the time to reflect on those experiences. Big or small, we find that a student’s ability to look back upon experiences, reflect and learn resonates with our selection committee as we build our community.”
A few ideas for meaningful student summer
experiences:
- Work – Whether “resume-building” in a potential career field or working at a fast food joint, students are bound to gain real-world perspective and learn valuable skills and professionalism.
- Intern – Most companies and organizations allow internships, though sometimes it takes reaching out and asking (many don’t have formal internship programs but are more than happy to help students gain experience and get some extra work done at the same time). Some are paid and some are unpaid. It just might take a little legwork, communication, and research to get something set up; this is all great experience for students to have before seeking internships in college.
- Community service – Summer is a great time to give back to the community, whether locally or internationally. Students can spend a more extended time period with organizations they are interested in, and perhaps get ideas for their Community Impact Projects, which they complete in their senior year.
- Spend time with family – It seems simple, but spending time with siblings, parents, and extended family is a wonderful use of summer time. Some students even find themselves in a meaningful caretaker role, helping care for younger siblings or grandparents.
- Summer programs - There are some wonderful summer programs out there that CA students and alumni have enjoyed that range from outdoorsy to academic, sports-oriented to service abroad. When selecting a summer program, make sure to do your research, talk to people who have participated, and make sure you know what you are getting (e.q., if it’s an academic program, do you get a college credit for it?). Also note that many programs offer financial aid and scholarships. There is a nice comprehensive list of programs at teenink.com/summer.
CA offers a wide range of international travel opportunities through our Global Travel program (under “Programs” and “Experiential Education” on the CA website).
I interviewed a few of our seniors, asking them about their most recent summer, their most meaningful summer experience, and how their experiences have changed their perspective. Click on the names below to read each profile:
Abel Ramirez
Peyton Rice
Evan Doherty
Rebecca Popara
Annie Miller
Tess Hankin
Nick Bain
Abel Ramirez
Peyton Rice
Evan Doherty
Rebecca Popara
Annie Miller
Tess Hankin
Nick Bain
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