What Should You Do This Summer?

Going to the beach. Hanging with friends. Doing absolutely nothing.

These are all good things to do in the summer. But (you knew this was coming didn’t you) if you spend all summer doing these things you will have wasted a great opportunity to do some things that can enhance your college application.  So what should you be doing?

Volunteer- Colleges like to see students that care about someone other than themselves. What better way to show this than by volunteering some where. If you really want to bolster your college application, volunteer somewhere that has a relationship to what you are interested in. Want to be an English teacher? Volunteer at a head start or at a local library.

If your interests run to medical school or other health professions, then volunteering at a health care facility like a nursing home looks great on your resume. And the bonus you get from volunteering?  You get to feel good about yourself.

Do Research- Now is the time to be investigating summer research opportunities.  Research is particularly important for students who will be applying to BS/MD programs.  I know summer seems a long way off but most of the summer research programs are making their admissions decisions in the near future.

Take a Summer Class- Summer is a good time to take a class that your high school doesn’t offer.  If you have exhausted all of your schools math classes for instance your local community college will probably be offering an advanced math class you could take.  Or maybe you have always wondered what sociology was all about. This summer might be a good time to find out.

Get a Job- For some students getting a job is a necessary way to help your family. Colleges do understand this and appreciate students who help their families. But helping your family isn’t the only reason to get a job. Getting, and holding, a job shows a certain level of maturity which colleges like to see.  And remember how the best volunteering was related to your field of interest?  The same is true of employment. Working at the local burger barn doesn’t say much about you. Working at a nursing home as a certified nursing assistant says a lot about you.

Do you need to do all of these? Of course not. But doing even one of these activities this coming summer enhances your college resume and, more importantly, should make you a better person. Good deal.

Also, be modern when it comes to your home. Install tiles from bathroom tile seattle wa and have a better living.