Summer Success: A Smart Guide for High School Seniors about College Applications
Focus on filling out the Common Application and writing college essays during the summer to get a head start.
Instead of waiting until fall, using this time strategically can ease stress and strengthen your applications.
Summer offers a valuable window for high school seniors to get a head start on college applications. Instead of waiting until fall, using this time strategically can ease stress and strengthen your applications. Here’s a step-by-step guide to maximizing your summer productivity:
Start Filling Out the Common App
Although the Common Application officially opens on August 1, you can create an account and begin entering your information now. The best part is that any details you fill out—such as your profile, family background, and activities—will automatically roll over when the new application goes live. This early start helps you become comfortable with the platform and reduces last-minute scrambling.
Helpful Hint: Bookmark the Common App site and save your login information. Explore the dashboard and note the specific requirements for each college you’re considering.
Complete the Common App Essay
Before diving into writing, spend time brainstorming to find a personal and compelling topic. Techniques like mind mapping, where you write down significant events, memories, and experiences on a piece of paper. Then, draw connections between related ideas. Or use the Common App essay prompts as questions can help generate ideas. Try out several topics to see which one feels the most authentic and meaningful to you.
Colleges want to understand who you are and how you view the world, and your essay is often the only place where your unique voice can truly come through. Starting early in the summer gives you ample time to draft, take breaks, and revise thoughtfully, ensuring your essay is polished and reflective of your true self.
Helpful Hint: Share your drafts with trusted mentors or teachers for feedback, but make sure the final essay reflects your voice and perspective.
Create an Activities Resume
Keeping a clear and organized record of your extracurricular activities, leadership roles, awards, and work experience is essential. This resume will make filling out applications and preparing for interviews much easier.
Within the Common App, you’ll have space to list up to 10 activities, but each description is limited to only 150 characters—about two sentences. Capturing your role and impact concisely can be difficult, so plan to write multiple drafts to find the most effective wording.
Helpful Hint: Use bullet points and quantify your accomplishments when possible (e.g., “Raised $2,000 for local animal shelter”) to make your descriptions stand out.
Develop a Balanced College List (Including Safety Schools)
Creating your college list can be more challenging than it seems. It’s easy to get caught up dreaming about your top-choice school, but it’s important to have multiple options.
Admissions to highly selective schools is never guaranteed, even for top students. Craft a thoughtfully diversified college list to maximize your chances.
Include a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. Equally important, make sure you genuinely like every school on your list and would happily attend any of them. This mindset helps you stay open to the best fit and opportunities as decisions come in.
Helpful Hint: Use tools like Fiske Guide to College or Niche to research schools thoroughly and compare factors like location, size, majors, and campus culture.
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Complete a Few Supplemental Essays
Many colleges require supplemental essays beyond the Common App personal statement. Two common prompts you’ll encounter are the “Why College?” and “Why Major?” essays. Summer is a perfect time to research your personal reasons for choosing each school and your intended field of study. This reflection will help you write sincere and specific responses.
Start drafting your supplement essays early, allowing yourself time to revise and tailor them for each school. Getting a head start reduces pressure as deadlines approach.
Helpful Hint: Look for overlapping themes in supplemental prompts—sometimes you can adapt one essay for multiple schools with minor adjustments.
Study for Standardized Testing
If you plan to take or retake the SAT, ACT, or other tests, summer is an ideal time to prepare. Establish a study schedule, take practice exams, and focus on areas where you need improvement. Even if your colleges are test-optional, strong scores can enhance your application or help with scholarships.
Consider using online prep courses, free resources, or study groups to stay motivated and on track.
Demonstrate Interest in Your Prospective Colleges
Showing genuine interest can positively influence admissions decisions. Take advantage of summer to attend virtual tours, webinars, or in-person visits if possible. Subscribe to mailing lists, follow colleges on social media, and reach out to admissions officers with thoughtful questions.
Keep a record of your interactions; referencing specific events or conversations in your applications can demonstrate sincere enthusiasm.
Looking Ahead
Using your summer strategically to tackle these key steps will give you a significant advantage in the college application process. By starting early on your Common App, essays, activities list, test prep, and college research, you’ll reduce stress and position yourself for success. This proactive approach lets you enjoy your senior year with confidence and excitement for what lies ahead.
Wishing you a productive and enjoyable summer!
Gail Nichols, Independent College Consultant for over 12 years. Helping students to find their college is my passion.
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