Although the thermometer might say it’s winter, summer will be here before you know it. If your teen is interested in a specialty summer program in areas like STEM, business, healthcare, or even the military, it's time to start researching options. Many of these focused programs have early application deadlines that fall during January and February. Below are just a few that require early applications.

It may seem counterintuitive, but winter is the best time to plan for the upcoming summer. The winter break often comes with downtime and a chance to talk to your teen about subjects or ideas they’re excited about, from academic to social, creative, enterprising, and all areas in between.

While academics are key, colleges also look for evidence of positive character and real-world skills. There are activities teens can get involved with to build these assets. Volunteering allows teens to demonstrate compassion and take on leadership roles. Playing a sport teaches collaboration, communication, discipline, and perseverance. School clubs let teens explore interests with like-minded peers. Part-time jobs build time management, responsibility, and people skills. Travel opens teens' minds to other cultures. Taking on new challenges pushes teens outside their comfort zone to build confidence. The key is finding activities the teen will enjoy long enough to build character and abilities that will equip them to thrive in college and adulthood.

Parents of 9th-11th graders dreaming of UT Austin: As your child plans activities, remember UT's "Change the World" essay evaluates character and potential impact. Choose academics that highlight intellectual curiosity and passion for learning. Pick extracurricular roles involving leadership, problem-solving and community commitment. This essay is a chance to convey your child’s character development and influences driving their desire to create change. Make activities meaningful to reveal their promise as future changemakers. UT assesses character beyond grades – help your child pick pursuits showing their perspective and readiness to positively transform lives.

As a parent, you can guide your high schooler to find fulfilling clubs. Have them reflect on their interests and find clubs that align with those interests. Make sure any new commitments fit into their current schedule so they don't get overwhelmed. Look for clubs that offer leadership roles to help develop their skills. Urge them to branch out from their immediate friend group to get exposure to new perspectives. Suggest balancing interest-based clubs and service clubs, so they can follow true passions while also giving back. If they are unsure of fit, encourage attending club fairs or shadowing club options before fully committing. With thoughtful guidance now, you can set your teen up to get the most out of the club experience through exploration, relationships, and making an impact.