The college application process is one of the most daunting aspects of many students’ four years of high school. However, while different undergraduate applications may diverge with regards to some components – from supplemental essays, to the necessity of test scores – they will also almost uniformly require certain foundational elements; for example, GPA’s, Activities Lists, and Teacher’s Recommendations, and will operate on identical or very similar timelines.
Applications for pre-college summer programs lack even this consistency, and may vary tremendously from one another. Some programs’ application processes will be minimal – students must simply fill out a personal information section and submit a deposit to secure a space. Other pre-college programs will have a summer application designed to mirror the college counterpart – students will be required to submit transcripts and test scores, or a write a number of essays regarding their interest in the particular program. There are programs with priority deadlines in the fall, or early winter, and programs that will continue accepting and enrolling students well into spring and early summer.
But what does all this mean, and how should a student approach and leverage the pre-college application process to set themselves up for summer success? At Everything Summer we work closely with clients to help them navigate the intricacies of pre-college applications in order to fully understand both the program and the fit for a particular student.
Competitiveness vs. Rigor
The first thing to understand is that there are some summer programs that are highly competitive and rigorous, and that – all other things being equal – can be slightly more impactful to a student’s college admissions candidacy. The next thing to understand is that these programs are few and far between, and that they are by no means the only option for an ambitious or determined teen who is seeking to maximize their summer vacation.
Just because a pre-college program has a thorough and extensive application process, that does not mean the program is necessarily more competitive. However, a more substantive application does generally mean that the program is seeking to select for engaged, genuinely curious students. After all, a teenager is going to be hard-pressed to collect teacher’s recommendations, write multiple essays, and coordinate the sending of their transcript if they are only moderately interested in the topic covered by the program.
With regards to academic programs, an extensive application may also be indicative of the rigor of the program itself. A program that requires a student to put in more time in order to apply, may also expect major commitments in terms of homework or class-time during the program itself. Thus, for students who are passionate about pursuing certain interests and want to engage on a deep level – whether they have prior exposure, or want to try something new – identifying programs with extensive applications can be a great way to identify right-fit options. For those students who want a more exploratory, less academically rigorous program, they can look to the application (as well as doing due diligence on the program structure) in order to find a suitable option.
Creative Submissions and Auditions
Students who have an interest in the visual, literary, or performing arts – or subjects adjacent to these areas – might identify pre-college programs that will require a portfolio or other creative submission materials. Once again, these requirements can be a great barometer to the expected ability level of the participant. Of course, there are some application materials a student can produce once they’ve identified a program of interest – for example, if a program calls for a 2-4 minute audio file demonstrating a student’s musical prowess, this is likely something an interested student can record.
However, if a program requires a student to write an artist’s statement and provide a full portfolio demonstrating their photography, painting, and sculpting – and the student has only a few sketches, and has not yet thought about their mission as an artist – this might be indicative of an improper fit. Once again, these requirements might not directly correlate to the competitiveness of admissions – but can be highly informatory in terms of the make-up of students and the type of experience the program will provide.
Prerequisites and Other Requirements
Another important note for a student to keep in mind as they evaluate summer program options. Some programs will require students to have fulfilled certain prerequisites before they can enroll either in a program or a particular course. For example, some language programs will require students to have taken one or two years of the language at a high-school level, some medicinal programs require students to have taken biology, and some engineering options will require students to have a familiarity with Calculus. Other programs may have minimum or maximum ages – for example, certain programs may only be eligible for rising high-school seniors. In all cases, it’s very important to understand any requirements for admission before beginning an application. Oftentimes prerequisites are only confirmed by programs once a student has been accepted to a programs – so if a student isn’t diligent they might spend time completing and submitting an application, and waiting on a decision, for a program they are not eligible for.
Practice, Practice, Practice
One of the most valuable parts of the pre-college application process is that it gives students a taste of what their undergraduate applications will be like. Students should be encouraged to take ownership of this process – for example, if they need a teacher’s recommendation, they should approach the teacher and ask (and mom or dad should resist the urge to send an e-mail for them). Even if a program is not overly selective in terms of the percentage of applicants they admit, a student will be very well served by thoughtfully approaching any essay questions or other requirements. Like anything, completing an application effectively is a skill, and the pre-college process provides an invaluable opportunity for students to hone that ability in advance of the college application process.
As you can see, pre-college program applications are far more than simple litmus tests that help the program determine their admissions. Applications provide unique insights into the type of program or experience they may pursue, and help students develop invaluable application skills that will serve them well as they advance towards their college applications. By approaching the pre-college application process thoughtfully, a student can position themselves to have a successful summer, and to carry that momentum through their high-school careers.