Summer break often feels like a much-needed breather after a long school year, and rightfully so. But if you’re aiming for competitive college admissions, summer can also be a golden opportunity. I often tell students that what they do during their summers says a lot about who they are outside the classroom. Colleges notice that. They care about how you use your time when no one’s assigning homework or checking attendance. Whether you’re volunteering, working part-time, attending a pre-college program, or tackling a personal project, these experiences can significantly strengthen your college applications—if you approach them intentionally.
How to Use Summer Activities to Boost College Applications
Using summer wisely doesn’t mean packing your schedule with endless resume-fillers. It means choosing meaningful activities that reflect your values, interests, and growth. The good news? There’s no single “right” way to spend your summer. There are, however, better ways to showcase it on college applications.
Start With Your Interests and Goals
Before jumping into any opportunity, take a moment to ask yourself: what excites me? What might I want to study or pursue in the future? Summer is the perfect time to explore those questions. I once worked with a student named Leah who loved animals but wasn’t sure if she wanted to be a vet. Instead of signing up for a generic leadership camp, she volunteered at a local wildlife rescue center. Not only did she discover a passion for environmental science, but she also wrote a compelling personal statement about nursing an injured owl back to health. That story stayed with admissions officers—and with me.
Types of Summer Activities That Matter
Here are several types of summer activities that can enhance your college applications—each valuable in its own way:
- Academic Enrichment: Summer programs at universities, online courses, or independent research projects show intellectual curiosity. Programs like Brown University’s Pre-College Program or Smith College’s Precollege Programs are great examples.
- Internships and Work Experience: Even a job at the local grocery store can demonstrate responsibility and maturity. One of my students, Jordan, worked as a cashier and used that experience to talk about financial hardship and perseverance in his essay.
- Volunteering and Service: Whether it’s local or abroad, meaningful service work can highlight compassion, leadership, and initiative. Just make sure it’s consistent and authentic—not a one-day photo op.
- Creative Projects: Writing a short story collection, building a website, or starting a YouTube channel can showcase self-motivation and talent. This is especially helpful if you’re applying to art or design programs. In fact, I recommend checking out our guide to portfolio admissions for more on how to present creative work.
- Test Prep or Academic Review: If your GPA or test scores need strengthening, summer can be a strategic time to focus on them. But make sure you’re balancing this with something that also reflects personal growth.
Think Depth Over Breadth
Colleges aren’t looking for a laundry list of activities. They’re looking for stories. A student who spends 80 hours volunteering at a food pantry and writes about the people they met will stand out more than one who dabbles in five different clubs. This is especially important for students navigating holistic admissions, where character and context matter just as much as academics.
How to Showcase Summer Activities Effectively on Applications
Once you’ve built a meaningful summer experience, the next step is learning how to talk about it. This is where many students miss their chance to shine.
Connect the Dots in Your Application
Your summer work should support the broader narrative of your application. If you’re applying to engineering programs, for instance, a summer spent building robots or shadowing engineers can reinforce your academic goals. If you’re drawn to social justice, volunteering with a legal aid clinic or organizing a community fundraiser can speak volumes.
One student I worked with, Priya, was interested in public health. During the pandemic, she organized a neighborhood effort to deliver groceries and masks to elderly neighbors. That one initiative became the heart of her application and played a key role in her acceptance to multiple top programs.
Use Your Essay Strategically
Your personal statement or supplemental essays are the perfect place to explore your summer experiences in depth. This is especially true if the experience helped you overcome a challenge or reframe your goals. I’ve seen students write powerful essays about summer jobs, family caregiving, or even starting a blog to process grief. It’s not about impressing—it’s about connecting.
If you’re unsure how to do this, our guide to writing a powerful personal statement offers helpful strategies to turn real-life moments into compelling narratives.
Include It Thoughtfully in the Activities List
On the Common App or similar platforms, there’s limited space to describe each activity. Be concise but specific. Instead of writing “Volunteered at hospital,” say something like: “Assisted nursing staff, organized patient records, and supported elderly patients during afternoon rounds (100 hrs).” Numbers, roles, and outcomes help admissions officers understand the impact.
Real Stories: How Students Used Summer to Their Advantage
Let me share a few more stories that might inspire your own summer planning:
- Sofia: A first-gen student who enrolled in a free coding bootcamp through Girls Who Code. She later launched a tutoring club for younger girls in her community and discussed this in her application to STEM programs.
- Miguel: Spent his summer working construction with his uncle. He wrote an essay about the physical and emotional labor of building homes—and how it shaped his interest in architecture. He’s now thriving in a top design program.
- Aria: Attended an honors college summer seminar, which helped her decide on a dual major in political science and environmental studies. If you’re considering this route, our piece on honors programs and their benefits is worth a read.
What If You Have Limited Access?
Not everyone can afford to travel or attend costly programs. And that’s okay. Colleges are looking at your opportunities in context. They value initiative, not privilege. Starting a project at home, working to support your family, or mentoring a sibling can be just as powerful. The key is reflection—what did you learn, and how did it grow you?
If you’re transferring colleges or taking a gap year, summer can also be a pivotal time to realign. I recommend reading our deeper dive on how to reapply and succeed as a transfer student.
FAQs About Summer Activities and College Applications
Do colleges prefer certain types of summer activities over others?
No, there’s no universal preference. What matters is that the activity is meaningful to you and connects to your goals. Admissions officers value authenticity over prestige.
Can a summer job be just as impressive as a fancy internship?
Absolutely. A job at a local diner can show grit, responsibility, and time management. It all depends on how you reflect on the experience in your application.
Is it okay to take a break during the summer?
Yes—but balance is key. Taking some time to rest is healthy, but aim to spend at least part of the summer on something that stimulates your growth or curiosity.
How do I find scholarships or free summer programs?
Start by checking sites like NSF’s Research Experiences for High School Students or Pathways to Science. Also, many universities offer STEM scholarships or pre-college programs with financial aid.
Final Thoughts: Make Summer Count for You
There’s no perfect formula for a summer that “impresses” colleges. The most powerful stories often come from students who pursued something because it mattered to them—not because it checked a box. Whether you’re helping your family, launching a project, working a summer job, or diving into a subject you love, what matters is that you walk away with growth, perspective, and purpose.
And if you’re looking for more strategies on standing out in a competitive applicant pool, I highly recommend reading our piece on how to stand out in college applications. Remember: your summer doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be yours.