Spring break is around the corner. Here is how to make every day count for college admissions.
Spring break can be a great opportunity for high school students to take steps towards preparing for college admissions. Here are a few things they can do:
Visit college campuses: Spring break is an ideal time for students to visit college campuses, especially if they're planning to apply to colleges in the fall. They can schedule tours and attend information sessions to get a feel for the campus culture and academic programs.
Research colleges: Students can use this time to research colleges they're interested in applying to. They can review the admissions requirements, programs, and campus resources to get a better understanding of each college.
Begin test preparation: If students plan to take the SAT or ACT in the near future, they can use their spring break to begin test preparation. They can purchase study materials, attend a prep course, or work with a tutor to get a head start.
Pursue academic interests: Demonstrate your academic passions and curiosities by taking online, self-paced certificate courses through Coursera or EdX, start a research project, expand your reading list, explore academic studies and articles, and map out how you can continue these explorations until the end of school year and upcoming summer.
Explore career interests: Spring break is a good time for students to explore their career interests. They can schedule informational interviews with professionals in fields they're interested in, or shadow someone for a day to get a better understanding of what a career in that field entails.
Volunteer or intern: Many organizations offer volunteer or internship opportunities over spring break. This can be a great way for students to gain valuable experience, explore career interests, and build their resume for college applications.
Overall, spring break provides a great opportunity for high school students to take important steps towards preparing for college admissions. Top colleges pay particularly attention to how students use their free time, as it demonstrates a student’s true passions, interests, and commitments that they are willing to participate in their free time and not of requirement.