Looking Forward to Summer
Summer College Programs
February is a time to look toward the light of spring. We have spent a year forced to live moment to moment, but it is still important to make plans for the different potential outcomes the future may hold. When we bring up the topic of summer many of our students balk at the discussion because we still don’t know if the exciting pre-college summer program they were looking forward to will involve making friends in-person, or be a commitment to months stuck on another zoom. We have the utmost empathy for how hard it is to make decisions in the face of so many unknowns, but it is important to stay engaged in topics that excite them, even if the delivery method is not what any of us hope for.
Most colleges take a holistic approach to assessing college applications, especially now. While grades are important they are not always an accurate indicator of who the student is and how they like to spend their time. Summer is a time to explore and now is the time to begin researching and applying to programs of interest. Students should be discussing and making plans for applying to internships, jobs, camp counselor positions, college courses, pre-college summer programs, outdoor exploration programs, community service projects, etc. It is also an ideal time for them to put on their entrepreneurial hats and start a business.
Planning for the summer gives students something to look forward to. Rest and relaxation and vacations are important but so are structured activities that add enrichment to their lives and show colleges that despite all that has happened, they remain engaged and committed to their futures. Please keep in mind, many applications for summer programs are already open and have limited availability. If the topic of summer is something that is being pushed back in hopes that there will be more information, we instead encourage your family to discuss two plans - one for if they can do in-person activities, and another for if they cannot. As always, please lean on our team for support with the best options to pursue your student - we’re dreaming of summer too!