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January 7th Webinar at 6:00 pm CST
Creating a Summer Plan That Combines Growth, Balance, and Admissions Impact
Summer is more than a break from school. It is a powerful chance for your teen to explore new interests, build confidence, and signal college readiness in ways grades and test scores cannot. In this 8th annual webinar, our counselors will show you how admissions officers really view summer choices and why the right experiences can set your teen apart. You will learn how to identify programs, internships, jobs, or independent projects that highlight initiative and connect to future majors while still leaving time for rest and recovery.
We will share proven strategies for creating a summer plan that feels intentional without overwhelming your family. From balancing enrichment with downtime to choosing opportunities that add depth to your student’s story, you will leave with a clear framework for designing a summer that supports well-being and strengthens college applications. This is your chance to start the year with a plan that combines growth, balance, and lasting admissions impact.
DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE TO
Summer Planning
For many of today's college-bound high school students, the summer is no longer nine weeks of total relaxation, but rather an opportunity to spend time actively working, learning new skills, or diving deeper into an area (or areas) of interest. This complete guide to summer planning walks you through the various types of summer opportunities — from volunteer work to independent projects, and everything in between — and offers tips for how your student can take their involvement up a notch during the summer.
Plan your summer with our AI Summer Planner
Tell us your interests and preferences, and our AI assistant will help you find the best summer activities for you. You might even be surprised by what you discover.
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More teens are working today than in the past twenty years, and for good reason. A part-time job in high school teaches lessons that go far beyond earning money. Working helps teenagers grow more responsible, confident, and independent. It also gives them real-world experiences that strengthen college applications and prepare them for life after graduation. Having a job can be one of the most powerful ways for students to show initiative and make an impact. When teens approach work with curiosity and purpose, they gain more than a paycheck. They learn who they are becoming.
The new year brings a familiar ritual for many families: summer planning. Parents open their calendars, teens start comparing programs, and suddenly the months that should feel open and full of possibility begin to feel crowded. The questions start early. What should I do this summer? Which program will look best? Will I fall behind if I don’t do enough? What begins as a practical exercise can quietly become something heavier—the pursuit of “exceptional.”
Winter break is when most families finally breathe. The college deadlines slow down, the group chats quiet, and—for a few weeks—there’s time to think. Yet for many parents, it’s also when the next round of pressure sneaks in: What should my teen do this summer? The inbox fills with glossy emails about “elite experiences” and “college-level rigor.” Each one promises transformation, often with a five-figure price tag. It’s easy to believe that if the opportunity is prestigious and expensive, it must be worth it. But here’s the truth: we meet students every year who spent $10,000 on a summer program that changed nothing. They come home with a certificate, a sweatshirt, and a nice photo—but no new insight, direction, or spark.
Every winter break, parents start scrolling. Summer programs, internships, “college-ready” camps—each one promising an edge. It’s a familiar ritual built on fear: that a slow summer means a lost opportunity. But much of what parents believe about summer and admissions is outdated. The truth is simpler and far less performative. The best summers build curiosity, independence, and direction, not panic.
Winter break is the perfect time for families to pause, reflect, and plan for the future—including how to make the most of the upcoming summer. Colleges aren’t looking for students who cram their schedules with countless activities; they’re looking for depth, passion, and meaningful impact. The months of summer offer a unique opportunity for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and make a difference.
Summer is more than a pause between school years. It’s an open canvas for students to explore interests, develop new skills, and grow into the people they’re becoming. Whether that looks like volunteering at a local nonprofit, shadowing a professional, or launching a creative project, the summer months offer the freedom to take charge of personal and academic growth. As students move through high school, what they need from summer changes. Freshman year is about curiosity. Sophomore year is about commitment. Junior year is about impact and preparation. Each season builds toward a story that colleges recognize as authentic, purposeful, and uniquely theirs.