What are you doing this summer?
If your answer is somewhere between “I’m not sure” and “nothing special,” you’re not alone — and contrary to what social media shows, it doesn’t even put you in the minority. The truth is, your summer could be the secret weapon in your college application, if you use your time wisely.
That’s right — hold on to your iced tea. College admissions officers don’t just care about grades and test scores — they’re also looking at how you spend your free time. The right summer activities can showcase your drive, curiosity, and the unique strengths you’ll bring to campus. So, how do you use summer strategically without melting down like a popsicle in the afternoon sun?
Let’s break down the most valuable summer activities that help your college application stand out — in ways that are authentic, meaningful, and genuinely interesting to you. Let’s dial up the heat!
Why your summer activities matter for college (yes, really)
Summer offers a rare opportunity to grow outside the classroom. When thoughtfully chosen, summer experiences can:
- Demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and initiative
- Provide leadership or real-world experience
- Show commitment to your values
- Strengthen key sections of your college application
They might even be fun!
Selective colleges specifically ask about how you’ve spent your summers because it offers a peek into what drives you and what you’re passionate about.
These days, almost all colleges use a holistic review process. This means demonstrated interest, extracurricular depth, and purposeful experiences carry weight, especially during summer breaks.
Top summer activities to boost your admissions odds
The strongest summer activities aren’t just impressive on paper. They reflect who you are and what you care about. Below are categories and ideas to help you choose what fits you best. Grab your sunglasses and get ready for the good stuff!
Theme 1: Academic enrichment and exploration
Why it helps: It demonstrates to colleges that you’re proactive and capable of handling college-level coursework. You can explore subjects you’re genuinely interested in, get a head start on college credits, and sometimes even fulfill general education requirements before you officially start college. It’s a great way to show initiative and intellectual curiosity.
Take a college class
Whether through a pre-college program or a community college, enrolling in college-level courses shows academic maturity. Subjects can be exploratory or aligned with your intended major. Some will even offer transferable college credit or fulfill general education requirements.
Enroll in free online university courses (MOOCs)
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) through platforms like Coursera, edX, or FutureLearn give you access to top university content from the comfort of home. These courses signal self-directed learning and can be a great way to explore niche interests not offered at your high school.
Participate in research opportunities
Assisting with a research project — even remotely — can give you hands-on experience with inquiry, analysis, and academic rigor that truly sets you apart. This summer, look for research mentorship programs aimed at teenagers, or reach out to local professors or labs individually and see if they need any assistants. It’s not easy for high school students to land a lab position, but it is impressive. Research shows advanced intellectual curiosity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in a structured, often demanding, environment.
Attend a specialized program for high school students
Many universities offer immersive programs for high school students in subjects like engineering, creative writing, medicine, or international relations. Though competitive to land a spot, these experiences give you a taste of college life, let you work with experts in the field, and demonstrate serious academic engagement. For ideas and tips on your summer program applications, explore Empowerly’s Guide to Summer Programs.
Here’s a great video that gives you the rundown on what you need to know about top summer programs this year:
Theme 2: Professional experience
Why it helps: Work experience highlights your adaptability, independence, and global awareness. It demonstrates that you can navigate new environments, interact with diverse cultures, and often leads to improved language proficiency. Furthermore, while it might seem less “academic,” a summer job teaches invaluable life skills. It shows responsibility, time management, communication skills (with colleagues and customers), and financial literacy. Colleges love to see students who embrace new challenges and broaden their perspectives.
Get a summer job
Real-world exposure to professional settings is increasingly valuable in today’s world. Working a paid job teaches time management, professionalism, and responsibility. Colleges recognize and respect the value of real work experience, whether you’re scooping ice cream or working in an office.
Apply for internships or job shadowing opportunities
Internships provide a more focused and meaningful real-world experience than a typical summer job. They allow you to explore a potential career path, network with professionals, and apply academic knowledge in a practical setting. This shows a serious commitment to a particular field of study or career interest.
Start your own business
Entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful demonstrations of initiative. Whether you launch a tutoring service, sell art, or build an online product, you’re showing leadership, innovation, perseverance, as well as creativity and tenacity. It shows you can identify a need, develop a solution, and execute a plan. Colleges are impressed by entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to take an idea from conception to reality.
This Empowerly student reflects on how her experiences with landing a summer internship launched the rest of her academic career:
Theme 3: Community engagement and impact
Why it helps: Volunteering showcases your commitment to your community and your ability to contribute positively. It’s also a pretty fantastic way to develop “soft skills” like teamwork, leadership, empathy, and communication. Not to mention, it can help you explore potential career interests and understand different societal needs, all while getting to see how your work helps others.
Volunteer for a cause you care about
Volunteering over the summer demonstrates a commitment to your community. The key is consistency and alignment — long-term volunteering with a clear role or impact looks a lot better than one-time service hours. Think about causes that connect to your identity or future goals.
Study abroad or participate in a cultural immersion program
Attending a structured summer program abroad can enhance your language skills, cultural understanding, and independence. Colleges value global awareness and students who seek out experiences beyond their comfort zone.
Theme 4: Time for personal passion projects
Why it helps: This is a fantastic way to showcase your creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-motivation. It shows colleges you can take an idea and run with it, whether it’s building an app, writing a novel, or starting a community initiative.
Create your own project (DIY)
Designing and executing your own project — whether it’s a podcast, art portfolio, community initiative, or mobile app — shows initiative and creativity. Get weird with it, and be creative. Whether it’s quirky or practical, admissions officers value originality and follow-through. How can you take an idea and bring it to life?
Earn helpful certifications
Certifications in areas like coding (Python, HTML), first aid, digital design, or public speaking demonstrate skill development. These credentials can enrich your application and show you’re invested in learning outside the classroom.
This student gives a helpful explanation of how to make sure your personal passion projects stay on track and create the effect you’re hoping for:
Theme 5: College application preparation
Why it helps: Okay. Gold star from us. We don’t pick favorites, but if you are proactive about your college applications, we love you already.
Prep for the SAT or ACT
If you’re planning to submit scores, summer is a smart time to study. With fewer academic distractions, you can make real progress — whether through a prep course, tutor, or self-paced study plan.
Visit colleges (in-person or virtually)
Campus visits help you refine your college list and show demonstrated interest, especially if you attend info sessions, take tours, or engage with admissions reps. Keep notes; you never know what you learn now might help shape your essays later.
Picking the right activities for your summer
Your summers are precious opportunities. Use them to explore your interests, develop new skills, and show colleges what a well-rounded and engaged individual you are. It’s not about doing everything, but about doing things that are meaningful to you and help you grow.
The best summer activities are the ones that match your goals, not someone else’s checklist. Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- Does this activity align with your academic interests or intended major?
- Are you gaining skills or experiences that will help you grow?
- Can you write or speak about this experience authentically?
Focus on one or two meaningful activities, rather than spreading yourself too thin. Quality always trumps quantity.
And remember: growth can come from anywhere. Whether you’re coding a game, working a job, or volunteering at a local food bank, what matters is the intention and effort you bring to it.
What colleges want to see
It’s not about racking up prestigious-sounding activities. It’s about showing that you:
- Took initiative with your time
- Committed to causes or subjects you care about
- Grew personally, academically, or professionally
- Made an impact, even on a small scale
Admissions officers are looking for students with purpose, passion, and the ability to reflect on their experiences. Make sure your activities — especially summer ones — support the story you’re telling in your college application.
Final thoughts: make every day count
Your summer isn’t just a break in your schedule — it’s a chance to grow in ways that transcripts and test scores alone can’t capture. Whether you’re exploring an interest, building a skill, or giving back to your community, the choices you make now can make a real difference in your college journey.
Need help figuring out what summer activities will support your college goals?
Join the 98% of students who have worked with Empowerly and been accepted into the Ivy League and top 25 schools. Book a free Empowerly consultation today and get expert guidance before application deadlines and program spots fill.
