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How can I make the most of my summer vacation to prepare for senior year and apply to colleges?
I'm currently a junior, and I need some advice on how to spend my summer vacation to help prepare for my upcoming senior year.
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6 answers
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Brenda,
To make the most of your summer vacation to prepare for senior year and college applications, consider the following strategies:
1. College Research: Use the summer to research potential colleges and universities. Explore their academic programs, campus culture, and admission requirements to narrow down your choices.
2. Study for Standardized Tests: Dedicate time to studying for the SAT or ACT if you plan to take these exams in the fall. Many students use the summer to prepare for standardized tests and improve their scores.
3. Update Your Resume: Reflect on your recent experiences and update your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any other relevant experiences on your resume. Highlight any leadership positions or notable achievements.
4. Work on College Essays: Start brainstorming and drafting your college essays and personal statements. These essays are a critical part of the college application process and may require multiple revisions.
5. Explore Scholarships: Research scholarship opportunities and start working on your scholarship applications. Many organizations offer scholarships to high school students, and the summer is an ideal time to search for and apply to these opportunities.
6. Career Exploration: Use the summer to explore potential career paths and interests. Consider job shadowing, informational interviews, or internships in fields you are considering.
7. Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities: Look for opportunities to volunteer or engage in summer programs that align with your interests and career goals. This can also provide material for your college application and demonstrate your commitment to your community.
8. Refresh Academics: Review and brush up on key subjects from your junior year to ensure you are well-prepared for your senior year coursework.
By using your summer vacation to focus on college preparation, standardized test preparation, career exploration, and volunteer work, you can position yourself for a successful senior year and the college application process. This proactive approach can lead to a strong college application and open doors to exciting opportunities for your future.
Best of Luck!
Jennifer
To make the most of your summer vacation to prepare for senior year and college applications, consider the following strategies:
1. College Research: Use the summer to research potential colleges and universities. Explore their academic programs, campus culture, and admission requirements to narrow down your choices.
2. Study for Standardized Tests: Dedicate time to studying for the SAT or ACT if you plan to take these exams in the fall. Many students use the summer to prepare for standardized tests and improve their scores.
3. Update Your Resume: Reflect on your recent experiences and update your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any other relevant experiences on your resume. Highlight any leadership positions or notable achievements.
4. Work on College Essays: Start brainstorming and drafting your college essays and personal statements. These essays are a critical part of the college application process and may require multiple revisions.
5. Explore Scholarships: Research scholarship opportunities and start working on your scholarship applications. Many organizations offer scholarships to high school students, and the summer is an ideal time to search for and apply to these opportunities.
6. Career Exploration: Use the summer to explore potential career paths and interests. Consider job shadowing, informational interviews, or internships in fields you are considering.
7. Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities: Look for opportunities to volunteer or engage in summer programs that align with your interests and career goals. This can also provide material for your college application and demonstrate your commitment to your community.
8. Refresh Academics: Review and brush up on key subjects from your junior year to ensure you are well-prepared for your senior year coursework.
By using your summer vacation to focus on college preparation, standardized test preparation, career exploration, and volunteer work, you can position yourself for a successful senior year and the college application process. This proactive approach can lead to a strong college application and open doors to exciting opportunities for your future.
Best of Luck!
Jennifer
Updated
LuLu’s Answer
Absolutely, prioritize fun first and foremost.
It's crucial to cultivate a hobby that you can enjoy during your college years, providing a more enriching alternative to constant partying.
Explore the multitude of websites and apps that offer free courses, such as Khan Academy, Cursa, Alison, and more. Whatever subject piques your interest, you're sure to find a course for it. One essential skill to acquire is investment knowledge. Educate yourself about the stock market, real estate, CDs, mutual funds, and so on. You might even stumble upon a new hobby, like belly dancing, Tae Kwon Do, or boxing.
If you're not already bilingual, consider learning a second language. You'll appreciate this skill later in life, so strive to become fluent in another language.
Prepare for your ACTs or SATs. I suggest focusing on improving your speed in the reading and English sections, while continually honing your math skills.
Begin researching scholarships and schools to understand the qualifications needed to earn them or gain acceptance. This will give you a clear roadmap to success.
It's crucial to cultivate a hobby that you can enjoy during your college years, providing a more enriching alternative to constant partying.
Explore the multitude of websites and apps that offer free courses, such as Khan Academy, Cursa, Alison, and more. Whatever subject piques your interest, you're sure to find a course for it. One essential skill to acquire is investment knowledge. Educate yourself about the stock market, real estate, CDs, mutual funds, and so on. You might even stumble upon a new hobby, like belly dancing, Tae Kwon Do, or boxing.
If you're not already bilingual, consider learning a second language. You'll appreciate this skill later in life, so strive to become fluent in another language.
Prepare for your ACTs or SATs. I suggest focusing on improving your speed in the reading and English sections, while continually honing your math skills.
Begin researching scholarships and schools to understand the qualifications needed to earn them or gain acceptance. This will give you a clear roadmap to success.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Brenda !
Planning ahead is always a beneficial idea. You will gain insight and information that will make your senior year flow smoothly, especially with college application being part of it.
To become familiar with and for help deciding on which colleges to apply to, pick some of your preferred colleges and read their websites. Register for orientations at these colleges, too. This way you can get a first hand impression and know which campus would be best for you taking everything into consideration. Another important research you can do would be to search online for student scholarships and grants for college. There are so many and it's never too early to become familiar with as many as you possibly can because the more you apply for, the better your chances are of getting some that will help you with your college expenses. Doing the research now will get you prepared to apply before their deadlines. Once you choose a college, there are scholarships pertinent to that college and you can find out about them on their campus at the financial aid office and your major department.
At this point, it may be too late to apply for summer internships, but don't worry because there is so much opportunity for volunteer work in your city. Something that will very much help you is to volunteer at a place connected to your major subject. If you haven't chosen a major, no problem, volunteer at a place that can utilize one of your interests. I have left a list of organizations you can inquire about volunteering at. You can also try the local hospitals if you have a career interest in health care.
In your senior year in High School, get some extracurricular activities underway. Hopefully there is a club, group or activities around your career interest at your high school. Think about taking some free online courses in a field that you are interested in.
Most of all, do not forget to have fun this summer ! Attend activities that you love, go to a day spa, take long walks, visit friends, watch movies, take a day trip with friends, explore the many touristy things in NYC that you haven't explored yet or for a while, concerts, plays, sports - there is everything right in your NYC backyard. There are also things to do in Central Park and the other four boroughs in NYC. The summer is your break so don't hesitate to have a good time !
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best in your senior year and always !
NEW YORK STATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS https://www.bestcolleges.com/united-states/new-york/scholarships/
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NEW YORK STATE RESIDENTS https://www.bestcolleges.com/united-states/new-york/scholarships/
PLACES TO VOLUNTEER AT IN NEW YORK CITY https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/orgs.jsp?r=20.0&l=New+York,+NY,+USA
MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW YORK CITY https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dycd/syep/VOMP.html
Planning ahead is always a beneficial idea. You will gain insight and information that will make your senior year flow smoothly, especially with college application being part of it.
To become familiar with and for help deciding on which colleges to apply to, pick some of your preferred colleges and read their websites. Register for orientations at these colleges, too. This way you can get a first hand impression and know which campus would be best for you taking everything into consideration. Another important research you can do would be to search online for student scholarships and grants for college. There are so many and it's never too early to become familiar with as many as you possibly can because the more you apply for, the better your chances are of getting some that will help you with your college expenses. Doing the research now will get you prepared to apply before their deadlines. Once you choose a college, there are scholarships pertinent to that college and you can find out about them on their campus at the financial aid office and your major department.
At this point, it may be too late to apply for summer internships, but don't worry because there is so much opportunity for volunteer work in your city. Something that will very much help you is to volunteer at a place connected to your major subject. If you haven't chosen a major, no problem, volunteer at a place that can utilize one of your interests. I have left a list of organizations you can inquire about volunteering at. You can also try the local hospitals if you have a career interest in health care.
In your senior year in High School, get some extracurricular activities underway. Hopefully there is a club, group or activities around your career interest at your high school. Think about taking some free online courses in a field that you are interested in.
Most of all, do not forget to have fun this summer ! Attend activities that you love, go to a day spa, take long walks, visit friends, watch movies, take a day trip with friends, explore the many touristy things in NYC that you haven't explored yet or for a while, concerts, plays, sports - there is everything right in your NYC backyard. There are also things to do in Central Park and the other four boroughs in NYC. The summer is your break so don't hesitate to have a good time !
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best in your senior year and always !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Carleta’s Answer
While having a little fun and enjoying your summer break, here are some things that you can do. First, you can research and visit colleges. Second, study for the SAT/ACT if you are planning on taking these exams. Third, you can start working on college applications and essays. If you have a mentor or someone who can read over your essays that is helpful. You can also start researching and applying for scholarships. Finally, its important that you keep track of important dates and deadlines.
Updated
Jasveer’s Answer
Hello Brenda! First things first, don't forget to soak up the summer sun! It's fantastic that you're planning ahead and strategizing for success, but remember to carve out some time for fun before you step into your senior year!
Consider exploring some volunteer work in fields you're passionate about. This could potentially guide you towards a future career path you'd love. Plus, it's a fantastic addition to your college applications, so you're hitting two birds with one stone.
Also, aim to broaden your skillset by exploring free educational platforms like LinkedIn. These platforms often offer beginner courses in various technologies and skills, which can bolster your experiences for your college applications.
Consider exploring some volunteer work in fields you're passionate about. This could potentially guide you towards a future career path you'd love. Plus, it's a fantastic addition to your college applications, so you're hitting two birds with one stone.
Also, aim to broaden your skillset by exploring free educational platforms like LinkedIn. These platforms often offer beginner courses in various technologies and skills, which can bolster your experiences for your college applications.
Updated
Ezra’s Answer
Hello,
My top recommendation for this summer is to immerse yourself in enjoyment. Be it indulging in a hobby or discovering something novel, view each day as a chance to unwind and escape stress. This could potentially be your final summer free from adult responsibilities. If feasible, plan a journey out of town or maybe a short road trip with friends to appreciate their company and explore fresh experiences. Lastly, while college is an important consideration, don't allow it to overshadow your leisure time and relaxation periods.
My top recommendation for this summer is to immerse yourself in enjoyment. Be it indulging in a hobby or discovering something novel, view each day as a chance to unwind and escape stress. This could potentially be your final summer free from adult responsibilities. If feasible, plan a journey out of town or maybe a short road trip with friends to appreciate their company and explore fresh experiences. Lastly, while college is an important consideration, don't allow it to overshadow your leisure time and relaxation periods.