What Should I Do This Summer?

Planning for the summer months has taken on a life of its own, as students wonder how their activities might influence future college applications. It is understandable that they feel pressure to “make the most” of their time, given the rumors circulating about the importance of programs, classes, or internships. 

In reality, summer activities are rarely a decisive factor in admission decisions. The most meaningful experiences are those that complement a student’s interests and allow them to deepen their engagement with something they genuinely enjoy. 

Here are five things to know as you think about what to do this summer:

Winsor students spend their summer time in a wide variety of ways—not everyone does research.

Winsor students choose to spend their summers in many different ways. For older students interested in STEM fields, Winsor’s Science Internship program can provide meaningful insight into what scientific work looks like in practice. It’s also common for students to work as lifeguards, camp counselors, or babysitters, or to volunteer with organizations in their communities. These roles demand independence, reliability, and initiative—qualities colleges deeply value—and they also provide opportunities to engage with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Working a full-time job or taking on a significant responsibility for part of the summer can be an excellent use of summer time. 

Community service isn’t a check box.

The idea that community service is required for college admission is a persistent myth. We often get questions from students and families about whether they should spend the summer accumulating volunteer hours. The truth is that there’s no “community service” box to check in the college process.

If a student already has a meaningful connection to service—perhaps through an ongoing commitment during the school year or an interest in a particular organization—volunteering over the summer can be a wonderful way to deepen that involvement. However, completing a few hours at a food pantry or charity event is unlikely to influence an admission decision. 

Colleges want to see students engage authentically with activities that matter to them and reflect thoughtfully on what they’ve learned through those experiences.

Colleges understand the pay-to-play model.

Each year, we receive hundreds of solicitations for pre-college summer programs and paid research opportunities that pair students with graduate mentors. Colleges have realized that these programs are a great way to keep their campuses busy during the summer—and to generate revenue.

While these experiences can be enriching and expose students to fields they might not encounter at Winsor, they are often very expensive. There is also no admission advantage for students who attend these programs, and in recent years, faculty members involved have often been restricted from writing letters of recommendation. While Winsor maintains a list of summer opportunities that contact us, we do not vet or recommend any particular program. The list is updated yearly and can be found on the Summer Opportunities WILD resource board. 

Since Winsor is a very rigorous school, our students do not need to “prove” themselves by doing more schoolwork over the summer. 

Research what already exists before starting something new.

The internet is littered with nonprofit organizations founded by high school students hoping to stand out in the college process. Admission officers, however, can easily recognize when an initiative exists more for appearances than for impact. While starting a project or program can indeed showcase initiative and creativity, it’s most meaningful when it addresses a genuine need or builds on a student’s existing experience and interests. Before launching something new, students need to research what already exists—a step that’s often overlooked in the rush to demonstrate leadership. 

Strengthening or expanding an existing club, program, or community partnership can be just as impressive, if not more so, than creating something entirely new late in high school.

Summer activities don’t always make it onto the final application.

Students may include their summer experiences in the activities section of their college applications. Still, because that section allows only ten entries, it’s common for activities from the summers after ninth or tenth grade not to make the final list. A student might reference a summer experience in a supplemental essay, especially if it connects meaningfully to an academic or personal interest.  

Colleges place greater emphasis on sustained involvement and community impact. Activities that a student has pursued over time can reflect genuine curiosity, growth, and commitment.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, how a student reflects on a summer experience matters far more than the activity itself. And, while summer can certainly be a time for growth and exploration, it’s equally important as a chance to relax, reset, and spend time with family and friends.