Importance of High School Summers for College Admissions
Make the most of your high school summer vacation by filling this time with activities that will improve your college application and impress admissions officers. Since you aren’t obligated to be in class, how you choose to spend your high school summers reveals your true motivations, level of initiative, and fit for your intended major. All of these signals have the potential to help you stand out among other applicants, especially at top universities. Your summer break is also a great time to prepare for the SAT and ACT and get a jumpstart on your college applications.
Keep reading to learn about the importance of high school summers for college admissions and the different activities you can participate in that will make you a more competitive applicant.
Why does summer vacation matter for college admissions?
In the eyes of the college admissions officer, summer vacation matters because it provides insight into how you choose to spend your free time. In today’s college admissions landscape where many schools are test-optional or dealing with an influx of high-GPA applicants, summer activities provide important qualitative data.
Remember, when you attend college you will be part of a campus community. Admissions officers are interested in building a community of students who are going to be involved in a variety of activities and areas. To be even more specific, they are interested in students who are going to make an impact on campus and after college as an alumnus or alumna. So you reveal things about who you are and what matters to you based on how you spend your time.
What do colleges look for when reviewing your summer activities?
When choosing a summer high school activity or program, consider how it will look on your college application. Some high school summer activities will have a bigger impact than others. Here are some of the key factors college admissions officers look for when reviewing the summer activities on your application:
- Academic Enrichment
- Social Responsibility
- Career Exploration
- Leadership & Skill Development
Top Summer Activities for College Admissions
Looking for the best summer activities for college admissions? Here are some of the most impactful options:
| Category | High School Summer Activities | What It Demonstrates |
| Academic Enrichment | -Summer programs -Research opportunities | Your intellectual curiosity and commitment to learning. |
| Social Responsibility | -Volunteer for a nonprofit -Work at an animal shelter -Tutor younger students | Your empathy, responsibility, and initiative. |
| Career Exploration | -Summer jobs -Internships (paid or unpaid) -Job shadowing | Your grit and reliability. |
| Leadership & Skill Development | -Coaching -Mentoring -Personal project -Build a creative portfolio | Your initiative, problem-solving abilities, and a unique drive. |
Should I do a summer program in high school?
High school summer programs are a popular choice for ambitious students looking to gain a competitive edge for college admissions. Participating in a high school summer program can offer several distinct advantages:
Tips for High School Summer Success
Learn how to make the most of your break with these tips for high school summer success.
High School Summer Tip #1: Plan Ahead
Summer programs and activities can fill up fast. Don’t wait until June to start planning how you’ll spend your summer. Create a timeline, research prerequisites, and take advantage of early bird enrollment so you secure your spot in prestigious programs and activities.
High School Summer Tip #2: Follow Your Passions
Choose activities that align with your genuine interests or your academic and career goals. For example, if you love video games, don’t just play them, learn C++ or Unity to build one. When you do what you love, you naturally achieve more.
High School Summer Tip #3: Seek Out Challenges
Growth rarely happens in your comfort zone. Make the most of the free time you have during summer break by bridging your skills gap and setting yourself up for success in college. Use this time to enhance your college application by taking a summer program, preparing to earn a top score on the SAT or ACT, and find other ways to grow as a student and young professional.
High School Summer Tip #4: Document Your Accomplishments
By the time you are a senior filling out the Common App, you will likely forget the specific details of what you did during your sophomore or junior summer. Create a digital folder for every summer. Save copies of certificates, photos of you in action at a volunteer site, and any feedback or evaluations you receive. Quantify your impact by using verifiable data whenever possible. Did you tutor 5 students? Did you increase social media engagement by 25%? Did you code 1,000 lines of script? These metrics make your accomplishments feel more impactful to an admissions reader.
High School Summer Tip #5: Choose Quality Over Quantity
Admissions officers value meaningful depth and authentic passion over a laundry list of superficial activities. Keep this in mind when you decide which high school summer programs and activities you sign up for. By committing to one or two rigorous, high-value activities—such as an intensive research project, an academic summer program, or a sustained community initiative—you develop specialized skills and a narrative of leadership and persistence. This approach not only prevents burnout but also provides richer material for your college essays, as you’ll have specific, transformative experiences to discuss rather than a series of brief, disconnected anecdotes.
High School Summer Tip #6: Find Balance
If you return to school in September feeling exhausted, your academic performance will suffer. Dedicate 80% of your summer to your goals and 20% to pure recharging. Don’t forget to spend time with friends and family. Social intelligence and emotional well-being are just as important for college success as your GPA.
Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Sasha F. Sasha is a college counselor with 16+ years of experience who has helped students gain admission to Ivy League and top research universities, with many receiving full scholarships. She uses her expertise in selective admissions to provide strategic guidance and content that reflects the evolving expectations of top-tier institutions.
