Shreya
Are summer internships an important factor admissions officers consider when you are applying to college?
I am a junior in high school and it is nearing summer. I was really out of the loop regarding summer internship programs and I missed the deadlines for many of the ones I was interested in applying to. I am at a loss for what to do now during the summer to demonstrate to colleges that I am dedicated and have outside experience in the field I want to major in. #internships
2 answers
Gianni Chen
Gianni’s Answer
First off, I'm not an admissions officer. Secondly, don't panic. Intenships are by no means the only option. I can say that I personally didn't have summer internship experience. In my opinion, what they often look for is that you are doing something fulfilling and valuable during your summers. If that is pursuing one of your passions in more depth, that is fine. It can be useful to have something to show or talk about at the end though.
Here are some alternatives you can consider:
Shawn A. Bananzadeh
Shawn A.’s Answer
Same disclaimers: I am not an admissions officer.
However, a specific internship is not the only answer. You can use the summer as a chance to round out your profile. Find opportunities to volunteer to show you value your community through mentoring/tutoring younger children or other similar programs. Find a regular wage job to show you keep occupied and productive, and can balance work with other academic activities, thereby strengthening your profile as a productive/mature student. Consider taking specialized summer classes at your local community college if there are specific subjects you are interested in, as this will give you a head start on your peers once you do reach college.
In short, an internship is not the only answer.