Summer before senior year is prime time for college prep. Use it to strengthen your profile, complete essay drafts, and prepare for fall application submission. Here's your action plan.
Deepening Extracurricular Involvement
Colleges want to see sustained, deepening commitment to activities. Summer is the time to take on leadership roles, start projects, or dive deeper into interests you'll highlight in applications.
- Take on a leadership role: officer position, internship, mentorship, or team captain role
- Start or lead a project that shows initiative (community service, research, competition prep)
- Attend selective summer programs in your area of interest (science camp, debate institute, arts workshop)
- Volunteer for a cause you genuinely care about; consistency and depth matter more than breadth
- Document accomplishments and collect quotes from supervisors for future essay use
Essay Brainstorming and Drafting
By summer, brainstorm essay topics. Start drafting your Common App essay and begin researching prompt answers for individual colleges. First drafts are rough; don't expect perfection until fall.
- Brainstorm 5–10 significant moments, challenges, or insights from your life
- Read successful Common App essays on Common App's blog or through your school
- Write 2–3 rough drafts of your main essay; expect messy first versions
- Ask teachers or counselors for feedback on essay topics and early drafts
- Research school-specific prompts (Common Data Set, application portal) and brainstorm answers
- Keep a document of strong quotes, phrases, and ideas for later refinement
Final Test Prep and Score Goals
If you haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet, summer is your deadline. Take a practice test, enroll in prep, and aim for an official test by early August so scores are ready for fall applications.
- Register for SAT or ACT; summer or early fall are typical final attempt dates
- Take a full practice test in June to understand timing and identify weak areas
- Enroll in tutoring or prep course if needed; budget 4–6 weeks for focused prep
- Target score submissions by August 1 to be ready for early applications
- Understand Score Choice policies at your target schools (some require all scores)
Key Takeaways
- Summer is your last chance to strengthen your extracurricular profile; take on leadership or start a meaningful project.
- Essay writing takes time; start brainstorming in June and drafting by July so you have time to revise.
- Complete standardized testing by early August; fall is too late if you're applying Early Action or Early Decision.
- Document your summer work: photos, supervisor quotes, project outcomes. You'll need details for essays and interviews.
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