No Summer Plans Yet? Here’s How to Make Your Break Count for College Admissions
May 28, 2025 | By Daniel Strom
You applied for several internships and pre-college programs to no avail. Or perhaps you became so overwhelmed with schoolwork and extracurriculars that you never got around to planning your summer.
“Am I screwed?”
Nope, not at all! The most meaningful summer experiences are often not part of a formal program at all. If you’re trying to figure out how to make the most out of your summer, here are some quick tips that can boost your college applications and personal development.
Not All Summer Programs Are Created Equal
Usually, summer programs on college campuses are “pay-to-play” and are not very selective. Furthermore, it is a misconception that attending a summer program at a particular college will increase your chances of admission to that college. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, the University of Chicago and Wake Forest have shared that they view their summer attendees favorably in the admissions process. For the vast majority of colleges, however, admissions officers care more about how you approach and manage opportunities, even if you create one yourself!
A Summer Job Shows Real Initiative
There’s nothing wrong with scooping ice cream, stocking shelves, babysitting, or working retail. These jobs show initiative, responsibility, and independence—qualities admissions officers value highly.
“But is a summer job as impressive as a fancy research project?”
There is never *one single activity* that will get a student admitted (or rejected) from a university. When admissions officers look at your application, they want to understand who you are beyond academics. Having a summer job highlights initiative and the fact that you do not solely rely on mommy and daddy’s money. Furthermore, these jobs come with meaningful real-world experiences that can inspire strong and relatable college essays later on.
Self-Directed Projects: Create Your Own Opportunity
If you’re creative and disciplined, you may also want to consider a self-directed project. These projects can take many different forms, such as creating your own digital products, starting a new podcast, or even selling handmade jewelry. The idea is to use your creativity and create items that you are proud of. If you can sell them to raise funds for a cause that is important to you, that’s even better.
Self-Directed Projects Should Be Specific and Personal
The best self-directed projects will reflect your real interests. I often encourage students to consider projects that are deeply rooted in their identity, as admissions officers find them genuine, rather than something you pursue solely to “look good” on a college application.
I once worked with a Vietnamese American student whose grandparents fled the Vietnam War. To expand on his interests in political science and history, he created a short documentary in which he interviewed first- and second-generation Vietnamese Americans about preserving language, culture, and identity across generations. Taking this approach highlighted his maturity and depth of thinking, and it allowed him to tell a fascinating story in his essays.
Find a Mentor to Guide and Strengthen Your Project
Having a mentor can elevate your project and keep you on track. Whether it’s a teacher, club advisor, coach, or family friend, a good mentor can provide feedback and potentially write you a more detailed, informed letter of recommendation.
Make Sure There’s a Tangible Output
This is a must. Anybody can say they spent time researching a topic, but without any output, it is unsubstantiated. A few examples:
A blog or series of articles
A short film or documentary
A podcast with several episodes
A research paper (shared online or printed)
A website or portfolio
Need Help?
If you’re not sure what type of project you should work on during the summer, feel free to reach out. Our team at Elite Scholar Advising is here to help.
About Daniel Strom
Daniel Strom co-founded Elite Scholar Advising, which provides tailored advice to college applicants worldwide. He is a proud graduate of Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management, where he also developed admissions experience through his role as an admissions representative. In addition, he also served on the Northwestern Alumni Admissions Interviewing Council. Daniel has helped hundreds of college applicants across the world realize their full potential by gaining admission to their dream schools.