TeenLife 2024 Guide to Summer Programs

Additionally, Ms. Sonnenberg points out that students
can use summer programs as a chance to push “themselves
out of their comfort zone” and to be “in community
with others” as a way to show growth and the positive
impact they had on others.
Dr. Eric Endlich, founder of Top College Consultants,
suggests you can also use summer programs as a chance
to get a sneak peek of what college life could be like. You
can attend your dream college’s pre-college program
where you can live on campus and socialize with other,
like-minded students. While attending a college’s precollege
program does not give you an automatic “in” that
school, it does show colleges that you are serious about
taking the next step to higher education.
The experts agree: summer programs can make a meaningful
and positive impact on your college applications.
So how do you make sure it comes through?
HOW YOU MENTION YOUR SUMMER
PROGRAM MATTERS
There are many ways you can mention your summer
program in your college application. Dr. Endlich points out
that platforms like Common App or the UC Application ask
you to list activities you participated in during high school.
This can be “a great place to spell out how many hours you
spent in the program and what you accomplished,” but the
space is limited.
Not every college or university conducts interviews for
incoming freshmen. If you do get an interview, then you
have a chance to mention your summer program. However,
Dr. Endlich and Ms. Sonnenberg both emphasize that
it’s important to mention your summer experience if it is
related to the question. Whether it’s an oral interview or
an essay, it’s important to focus on answering the question
and finding a natural way to mention your experience.
WHAT TYPES OF SUMMER PROGRAMS WILL
BOOST MY COLLEGE APPLICATION?
While everyone hopes for a clear answer, the truth is that
the program that will “boost” a student’s application is
wholly dependent on the student.
For example, Dr. Endlich points out that students who are
applying to a program that requires a portfolio (like art
school) will want to look for a summer program that can
46 | 2024 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO SUMMER PROGRAMS
improve their portfolio. He also mentions that students
who have a field of study in mind, like becoming a physician,
may want to see out programs that do a “deeper
dive” into that field. Taking a pre-med program for high
school students can indicate a long term commitment to
your future.
In general, if you are eyeing a highly selective college
or university, then summer programs with admissions
requirements are considered more favorably. This would
be a pre-college program that has an application, essay,
letters of recommendation, high school transcript, or
some combination of those requirements, and not all
students that apply get accepted.
THREE WAYS SUMMER PROGRAMS
CAN HELP YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION
College admissions experts Kate Sonneberg and
Dr. Eric Endlich have weighed in. What are their key
insights and advice?
1. Pick a summer program that can give you insight
and a headstart on the next stage. If you need to
build up your portfolio or get a sneak peek at life
in your future career, then find a summer program
that can do exactly that.
2. Don’t force it; mention your summer program
if/when it comes up naturally. Whether it’s in an
interview, activities list, or an essay, make sure your
summer program is mentioned in a way that isn’t
forceful. It is a part of your application and not the
focus. For example, you could describe your leadership,
conflict resolution, or other skills and how
the summer program you attended helped you to
develop them.
3. Selective summer programs are great, but you
need to show growth in the end. While selective
programs are indicators to colleges with low acceptance
rates, it is not the biggest requirement.
Showing that the program resulted in greater selfawareness
and personal growth is what matters.
TeenLife’s Summer Program section is a great place to
begin your search for a best fit program. Start by choosing
several interests to explore and then use the remaining
filters to narrow down the options. Then, when you
have 2 to 4 good options, reach out to the programs for
more information. We strongly encourage you to ask to
speak to a past participant before making a final decision.