Plan you summer activities.

Plan summer activities to make next fall’s college and scholarship applications look great.

Your 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 activities you are involved in as long as you demonstrate long-term commitment and passion for those activities.

Realize that colleges and universities try to build a well-rounded incoming class of students.  This includes all kinds of students: science and math whizzes, talented musicians and artists, athletes, student-body leaders, theater actors and actresses, community-minded volunteers, computer and engineering enthusiasts, and many more interesting people.  Nothing would be more boring than having a campus filled with only academic geniuses who spend 100% of their time studying.  Admission offices want college communities composed of diverse and interesting students. 

Again, colleges want students who demonstrate in-depth, long-term involvement in activities they are passionate about, regardless of what those activities are.  Colleges need committed students and leaders in every field of interest.