5 Top Summer Activities to Improve Your College Admissions Chances

NEW YORK, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer offers boundless opportunities for college-bound high school students to increase their college admissions chances, according to Aristotle Circle, the expert network of college admissions counselors and advisors.  Aristotle Circle recommends that parents and students focus on enhancing the summer experience to maximize the college application process. The savvy, motivated student understands that the activities they embrace over the summer will help shape the unique voice necessary for a successful college application and meaningful summer experiences, add significance to college applications and help ease transitions from high school to college life.

The Common and the Universal College Applications ask applicants to list summer schools and programs attended since the ninth grade as well as extracurricular activities, community service and summer employment. Most colleges also provide the opportunity for the student to elaborate in application supplements.  Aristotle Circle's Jill Tipograph, the summer program expert consultant, details how an impactful summer experience can pave the way to successful college admission.  

1. Goal Mine – Students and their parents need to make a decision on their summer strategy to match activities to interests, which might include volunteering or donating their time to community service, pursuing a unique work experience either through a paid position or an internship or developing a skill or interest – or any combination of the above;
2. Passion Play – Colleges like to see students with a passion; it doesn't matter what that passion is, as long as the student demonstrates an enthusiastic commitment or involvement with their pursuit over time; it's depth -- not quantity -- that matters;
3. Summer Cum Laude -  Take those Advanced Placement or language immersion courses or go off the academic grid with studies that will advance your knowledge, transcript and horizons;
4. Reality Bites – Landing that job, internship or volunteer position that provides the  opportunity for hands-on, real-life experience can start to separate you from the pack and help students look to their future;
5. Lead The Way – Discover, cultivate or develop those hidden leadership skills that teachers, parents and relatives are always talking about; colleges seek those who can lead others.

Tipograph insists: "Finally, don't forget the fun.  College admissions officers do not expect students to be hard at work year round.  Everyone needs a break from their hectic schedule of academic and extra-curricular activities to rejuvenate, replenish and re-energize."  Visit Tipograph's website.

About Aristotle Circle:

Aristotle Circle connects parents to experts with current insight and inside knowledge of admissions from pre-K to graduate school.  Aristotle Circle's network of more than 250 elite experts currently serves over 1000 clients in 30 states and 15 countries and includes top admissions professionals, guidance counselors, school administrators, financial aid advisors, and child development experts in their fields. For more information, visit: www.aristotlecircle.com

SOURCE Aristotle Circle