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Junior Year College Admission Strategy

Plan to participate in the “best” summer activities for you. In April and May of your junior year, begin planning your summer activities. Summer activities should build your student résumé and help make your college and scholarship applications look great.

Summer activities should reflect meaningful and continued involvement in the things you are passionate about (and ideally have been involved with during your freshman, sophomore and junior years). Don’t choose activities based on what you think colleges and universities are looking for on an application; colleges and universities don’t care what you are involved in as long as you demonstrate long-term commitment and passion for the activities you do (refer to section on extracurricular activities).

Summer activities should allow you to continue pursuing your favorite activities AND should provide opportunities to move into higher levels of responsibility and leadership. For example, if you previously have been a volunteer with a community organization (such as the Boys & Girls Club), don’t just volunteer in the summer, become a leader or take charge of a new project. Colleges like to see increased student responsibility, leadership, personal growth, and commitment.