Do You Know Where Your Teens Will Be This Summer? Part 2

Yesterday we heard the parent perspective on how their teens will spend the summer. Now, three professionals speak. First, an admissions officer.

She states at the beginning what our panelists already figured out. "As long as the student is doing something productive, we have no preference for how the summer is spent."

Then she adds, "There are some activities that are going to be more notable than others. Highly selective programs that don’t require the student to pay are impressive. (In New Jersey, Governor’s School and the New Jersey Scholars Program come to mind.) We also love to see students who work full time in a less-than-glamorous job, particularly if those jobs are a big contrast to their normal, upper-middle-class suburban lives. In fact, when I give info sessions, I often say 'look for a job.' (I used to say 'get a job' but given the economy, that’s not always easy.)

She also pointed out, "More and more students are doing research or doing college summer programs these days. While those activities are useful for the students, I think there’s a sense that they’re going to impress us more than other activities, and they don’t.

"Finally, we essentially ignore all those national leadership forum opportunities, People to People, etc. There’s nothing wrong with them, but they’re not all that competitive and of no greater value than other experiences. That’s not to say that the experiences can’t be enriching for the student; they’re just not that unusual."

Linda Auld, of Suburban Learning Center, recommends summer standardized test tutoring for students who need more than testing strategies: "So it's really remediation in reading comprehension, writing skills, or math concepts which will help them with the SAT or ACT but more importantly will help them develop the skills they will need to do well in their academic classes. I often use the idea that we are 'prepping' for the SAT/ACT to motivate high school students to work on academic skill development."

Now, from a high school teacher's perspective. Lauren Fazio says, "Since I teach writing, many of my seniors come to me for help with their applications, more specifically the short answer sections. I did see one college (it was definitely an Ivy, but I don't remember which one) that explicitly asked the question, "What did you do last summer?" My student was able to talk about a church retreat, a class she took, and books she's read -- definitely more personal than the other questions, and shows an active applicant. I think that's the bottom line--as
long as they do something.

"But, I still think this is prime time to explore options and paths
they might want to revisit later, not just for an impressive resume
(though that's always nice) but for something to talk about in an
interview, write about in a common app short answer, or nurture as a
passion later.

"They might learn from being a camp counselor that they want to teach young children (or DON'T want to teach young children). Or if they volunteer in a
hospital, they may learn how to care for others--a skill that extends
far past hospital walls. Or if they take a photography class, they
may develop a passion (and a portfolio to show colleges later). At
the very least, any of these avenues will give them something to say
when colleges ask, in writing or in person, 'What significant event or
activity has changed your life?' And with so many demands on
them during the school year, summer is a great time to devote the
hours. They're less likely to resent the hours they spend doing
something that, without the resentment, they may end up loving."

One final comment from our admissions officer panelist. "One thing I have noticed is that it’s hard to quickly find what the student has done in the summer, given the way the Common Application is structured. The only way we know what’s a summer activity is by the length of time (# hrs/# weeks) spent on the activity and if the student actually tells us. I would love to see the summer separated from the overall list, but that’s just my personal preference."

Summers do matter -- but there are many ways to make them worthwhile, fulfilling and fun for our teens, as well as attractive to colleges.

Do You Know Where Your Teens Will Be This Summer? Part 1

It's snowing here in New Jersey, but the pressure is already on (well, I feel it, anyway) to begin making plans for the summer. Educational, test prep, volunteer work, jobs? I asked the Mom's College Cram Course panel for thoughts on how teens should spend their summer vacations.

Today we'll hear from parents; tomorrow, from the professionals.

Kim Cook makes it simple. "Summer job, summer job, summer job! Preferably one they start during sophomore or even freshman summer and stick with to the end of high school. Doesn't matter how lowly - scooping ice cream imparts just as many valuable skills and life lessons as a fancy expensive program in some exotic locale. They learn how to deal with people good and bad, to be responsible for time and money (theirs and someone else's). They may learn what jobs they DON'T want to settle for down the road! Returning a second summer, or working part time through the school year, shows consistency and the added responsibilities look good on their resume."

Jeanne Hogle's children are following a similar path. Her daughter, a junior, will start off her summer with a 10-day medical conference in Philadelphia for teens interested in entering the medical field. It's an expensive 10-day seminar, which she is paying for herself through a school-year job, where she will likely work after the seminar. She will also volunteer at her church.

Her son, a sophomore, will also volunteer at church and is intent on finding a job. But Jeanne also wants to figure out ways to keep him motivated and on track, and is also thinking about SAT prep.

Sarah Wohlenhaus said her daughter will mix work and volunteer efforts, continuing at a summer camp again and possibly doing something with the Habitat for Humanity group in this area.

Tina Squyres says her family philosophy, given the stresses of the school year and how little free time our kids have, is to allow their daughters to do something that recharges their batteries and enables them to do something out of the ordinary. "Both of my kids have had very different ideas about what that is," she added.

"My older daughter participated in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) summer programs and really loved them. She also did non-CTY engineering and medical programs since she was interested in the two careers. That was very helpful in her opinion because she realized that she liked the science behind engineering but not the application. The medical program also solidified her interest in pursuing a career in medicine. Their younger daughter has opted for travel and performing arts programs.

Tina also pointed out that both daughters are required to work the summer after senior year of high school to earn money for college expenses. "My oldest daughter did, and enjoyed it, but I think her experiences during the previous summers were invaluable to her maturation."

As Jeanne said in conclusion, "I really do not know if it makes any difference if they attend a program, go to camp, or work. With the exception of the 'goofing-off' option, I think any activity, showing an interest in SOMETHING, is a positive."

Almost Summer

First, a confession. How will I be able to guide our teen toward a disciplined approach to handling college applications and adhering to deadlines when I simply couldn't get a posting done yesterday? It's a lesson:practice what I preach.

Our teen is taking finals now, turning in textbooks, tossing notes that she believes will never again be useful. It's just about the end of freshman year. She has already received her summer assignments for AP US History and has promised herself she'll get them done with time to spare.

I am hoping she will take a few minutes in the next few months to jot down her life achievements to date -- Girl Scout Bronze Award, flute camps, reading buddy, surviving life with us, and so on -- as a preliminary step in thinking through how she will describe herself to admissions officers. I am hoping she reads some fine books, has good discussions with us and her friends about anything that occurs to her and manages to have fun this summer, despite the dreaded geometry preview course.

Here's to all that summer should be!

More on Summer Programs

So, let's talk about summer again. This time the prompt came from a reader who wanted to know about those on-campus pre-college summer programs. She wanted to know if they were worth the big bucks, what summer would be the most optimal (after sophomore or junior year) and whether participation could help in getting into that particular college.

Here's a response from a guidance counselor I know.

"Summer programs are a great way for students to get involved in the college atmosphere while in high school. I would consider these programs if your child has a deep interest in what the program provides. I have many students going to FIT for programs in advertising, sales and manufacturing of clothing, because that’s what they love. It is important for the students to ask around or talk to their counselors about a program first, though, as part of a vetting process.

"These summer programs have very little to do with getting into that particular school, BUT it shows all colleges the willingness to work and grow in a certain field which makes a very big difference in admissions. It doesn’t have to be the most prestigious school or cost the most. Colleges want to see high school students doing something rather than nothing, especially over the summer and that’s not just limited to college programs."

And here's another take on these programs. This post suggests attending one of these programs after junior year as a way to prep for college but also points out that college admissions staff don't place high value on attending; instead they think jobs, volunteering and other learning opportunities are just as important.

There's a commonsense consensus -- these programs may be fine if pricey but there are many other worthwhile (and admissions-beneficial) ways for teens to spend their summers.

Summertime, Should the Livin' Be Easy?

Should summer be a time for teens to relax and play -- or should it be a time for classroom programs that keep skills sharp -- or make them sharper? It may be late to think about summer programs, though given the economy, such offerings may still have open slots. Look for them at the local high school, area private schools, community education programs or at colleges themselves. Here's a sampling of some of the on-campus programs available.

Or maybe you might challenge your teen to think about summer jobs. Today colleges are more impressed with students who show initiative by getting some sort of paid job than those who have spent summers in expensive programs. Sue Shellenbarger with The Wall Street Journal discussed myths of the summer job market recently.

However you wish to go about it, the goal is simple: help your teen stay mentally active and engaged.

Finally, can't resist. Congratulations to Duke, and to Butler. These players demonstrated talent, determination and a never-say-die attitude that did their schools proud.