Summer Plans That Impress Admissions Officers
When students think of a “strong” summer for college applications, it’s easy to imagine glamorous internships, Ivy League summer programs, or international volunteer trips. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a big budget to make your summer meaningful—and impressive to admissions officers.
What matters most? Intentionality, growth, and authenticity. Colleges want to see students who are curious, motivated, and willing to go deeper in areas that genuinely interest them.
Here are 5 ways to build a powerful summer —plus suggestions to make it work for your academic interests.
1. Launch a Personal Project
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never had time for? Whether it’s starting a podcast, writing a short story collection, coding an app, or creating a YouTube channel around a niche topic—go for it.
Why it works:
Personal projects show initiative, creativity, and self-motivation—three things admissions officers love.
Make it work for you:
Economics / Business: Start a reselling business, launch a financial literacy blog, or create a budgeting spreadsheet tool.
STEM: Build a science experiment at home, design a basic app or website, or create a YouTube series explaining STEM concepts to younger students.
Humanities: Write a historical fiction short story, start a literary analysis blog, or lead a community book club.
Arts & Communications: Direct a short film, design a personal digital art portfolio, or start a niche newsletter.
International Relations / Pre-Law: Start a podcast interviewing local leaders or launch a blog discussing global current events.
2. Take a Rigorous Online Course
Online learning is more respected than ever—especially when students choose courses aligned with their academic interests.
Look for:
College-level courses (via Coursera, edX, Outlier, etc.)
Skill-based learning (coding, data science, writing, etc.)
Topic deep-dives (philosophy, neuroscience, ethics, etc.)
Why it works:
It signals intellectual curiosity and shows you’re willing to challenge yourself outside of school.
Make it work for you:
Economics / Business: Intro to Microeconomics, Marketing Strategy, Behavioral Economics
STEM: Genetics, Intro to Python, Data Science Basics, Astrophysics
Humanities: Shakespeare and His World, Introduction to Philosophy, The History of Modern Europe
Arts & Communications: Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Introduction to Journalism
International Relations / Pre-Law: International Law, Political Philosophy, Intro to U.S. Government
3. Get a Job or Internship—Even If It’s Local
From scooping ice cream to working retail, summer jobs teach responsibility, communication, and time management. Bonus points if you can connect the experience to your future goals.
Why it works:
Admissions officers respect hustle. Jobs and internships demonstrate maturity and real-world readiness.
Make it work for you:
Economics / Business: Track business metrics like profit margins and customer trends at your workplace; offer to help with social media or data entry.
STEM: Intern with a local tech company, IT team, or research lab; even remote shadowing counts.
Humanities: Work at a museum, bookstore, or library and reflect on cultural or historical insights.
Arts & Communications: Intern at a local theater, arts nonprofit, or media outlet—even if it’s virtual.
International Relations / Pre-Law: Volunteer or intern with a political campaign, nonprofit, or community advocacy group.
4. Volunteer Strategically
Pick a cause you genuinely care about—animal shelters, literacy programs, food banks—and get involved consistently.
Why it works:
Volunteering speaks to your values, and when done well, it can become a powerful story in your application or essays.
Make it work for you:
Economics / Business: Help a local nonprofit track donations or set up a fundraiser.
STEM: Volunteer with an organization focused on health, environment, or STEM education for youth.
Humanities: Join a library outreach program or literacy initiative.
Arts & Communications: Run a creative workshop for kids or seniors, design flyers for a nonprofit.
International Relations / Pre-Law: Volunteer with an immigrant services group, legal aid org, or voter registration drive.
5. Dive Into Reading and Reflection
This one’s underrated but powerful: create your own reading challenge. Pick 10 books that stretch your thinking—across genres, topics, or cultures—and write short reflections or reviews.
Why it works:
It’s a great way to sharpen your critical thinking and writing skills. Plus, this can become a conversation point in interviews or essays.
Make it work for you:
Economics / Business: Read Freakonomics, Thinking, Fast and Slow, or The Psychology of Money
STEM: Try The Gene, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, or The Man Who Knew Infinity
Humanities: Dive into The Iliad, Beloved, or A People’s History of the United States
Arts & Communications: Explore On Writing, Steal Like an Artist, or biographies of filmmakers or designers
International Relations / Pre-Law: Read The Prince, The Constitution of the United States, or Half the Sky
Why You Shouldn’t DIY Everything
It’s tempting to take the summer into your own hands—but college planning is complex, and a well-intentioned plan can fall flat if it doesn’t align with your long-term goals or match what admissions offices actually value.
That’s where we come in.
At Momentum, we help students turn scattered ideas into purposeful, strategic summer plans that fit their goals, showcase their strengths, and create real opportunities for growth (and standout essays). Whether you're mapping out your very first summer in high school or gearing up for application season, we help you do it with clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to go far to go deep. Admissions officers are far more interested in what you do with your time than where you spend it. So whatever your summer looks like—make it intentional, personal, and growth-focused.
Need help crafting a smart summer strategy?
Let’s talk. Contact Momentum and we’ll help you build a plan that’s as unique and ambitious as you are.
