Make Summer Count

Students who want to shine on their college applications should not forget about the summer.  International College Counselors wants to remind students you don't need to go to Costa Rica to build huts, but you do need to do something that raises your APA (application point average).  If you're not planning to take classes or attend an enrichment camp-get a job, volunteer or get an internship.  Summer is coming up fast - and some summer programs have January deadlines - so here are some ideas to get you thinking about how to make the most of your summer.

Visit the International College Counselors blog to see our 2011 Summer Recommendations.  
 
Get a great summer job or internship
Summer jobs and internships are great ways to show colleges, and your parents that you are successfully maturing into a responsible adult. And there are few better ways to earn a little respect and gain valuable real-world experience. In a tight job market like the one we're experiencing now, your best bet may be the internship. An internship is a pre-professional work experience that provides students with an opportunity to gain unpaid experience in a field you're interested in.  So what you don't gain in cash, you gain in experience.  Think of it as a summer course.  But with persistence and luck, you can land an internship in your dream career. If you think you might like to try advertising, check with your local agencies to see what internship opportunities are available. Think you want to be a lawyer, see if you can work in a law firm.  An internship is also great way to secure yourself a recommendation and get your foot in the door for future networking.

If you're looking for available internships opportunities here in Miami, college counselors at International College Counselors can help you.  Opportunities can also often be found on company websites and social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
 
Volunteering gives back
It can be profitable to work for nothing.  You can make a difference, gain experience and explore your interests. For example, if a career in medicine interests you, you could volunteer a few hours a week at a hospital or nursing home. Interested in animals?  Volunteer at the local animal shelter. Feeling entrepreneurial?  Start a non-profit of your own.  The choices are endless and all your hard work and time can pay off. Colleges and universities truly adore students who can demonstrate that they make the effort to help others.  You may not be making money but you can make friends, and networking connections.  You'll also be creating fodder for those application essays.  Then there's always the fact you will be doing good - a wonderful reason to volunteer in itself.

 
Attend a Summer Academic Program, Take a Virtual Class or Try Dual Enrollment
Flush out your resume and explore something new.  Summer academic programs, virtual classes and dual enrollment programs offer you a chance to choose something you want to learn.  Try out a course from a major you're interested in.  Explore aeronautical science or 17th century literature. Academic programs allow students to explore their interests from business to engineering. These highly organized programs are designed to strengthen the academic skills of students who plan to enter a similar program in college.  Many of these programs are residential and students travel from all over to attend them.  At some schools, taking a virtual class or participating in a dual enrollment program can even help raise your GPA.  Both can also help save you time and money if you take classes that count both for high school credit as well as college credit. Depending on their school, students who enter college with credit can reduce their course load per term or even graduate early.
Enjoy your summer - wisely! 

International College Counselors students:  Call or email our office as soon as possible to make an appointment to discuss your summer plans.

Donna Klein students:  Some summer programs require counselor nominations.  Bring the forms to us, and we will fill them out for you. We will also be posting updated information on summer programs outside our Donna Klein office door.  New information will be posted when we receive it, so remember to pass by often. Email us or call if you would like to apply to any of the programs.  This week, we received a call for nominations for the Vanderbilt PAVE program (discussed on the blog).  Stay tuned for more!