At this point in time, you should begin planning your summer activities. Summer activities should build your student résumé and help make next year’s college and scholarship applications look great.

Summer activities should reflect meaningful and continued involvement in the things you are passionate about (and ideally have been involved with during your freshman, sophomore and junior years). Don’t choose activities based on what you think colleges and universities are looking for on an application; colleges and universities don’t care what you are involved in as long as you demonstrate long-term commitment and passion for the activities you do.

Remember, colleges and universities try to build a well-diversified incoming class of freshmen students. This means that colleges seek all kinds of students, from science and math wizards to talented musicians and artists; from athletes and student-body leaders to theater actors and actresses; from community-minded volunteers to computer and engineering students. Admission officers want their campus communities to consist of diverse and interesting students whose on-campus activities will bring their college to life. So, whatever activities you choose to do this summer, do them well to show your interest and dedication.

Summer activities should not only allow you to continue pursuing your favorite activities, but should also provide opportunities to move into higher levels of responsibility and leadership. For example, if you previously have been a volunteer with a community organization (such as the local Boys & Girls Club), don’t just volunteer this summer, become a leader or take charge of a new project. Colleges like to see increased student responsibility, leadership, personal growth and commitment.

Once again, colleges want students who demonstrate in-depth, long-term involvement in activities they are passionate about, regardless of type of activity. Because colleges prefer students with long-term involvement in activities, they expect those students to follow a progression from participant to leader. Colleges need committed students and leaders in every field of interest.

Here are some suggestions for summer activities:

1. Work for money and/or for the experience. A summer job can help you confirm or discover a career of interest and gain “real world” experience. A job is about more than just making money – it’s also about getting valuable hands-on experience.

2. Get an internship. If you have a field of interest that will be your college major, try to find an internship with a company or organization that will allow you learn more about careers involving your major.

3. Volunteer. Students who contribute to their community by volunteering make a great impression on college admission officers.

4. Consider enrolling in a community college class. Taking a class will impress college admission officers and will put you "ahead of the game" by earning college credits before you graduate high school. Do well in your class; admission officers will strongly consider the grade you earn when evaluating your application for admission. Go to your local community college's website to see the classes offered this summer.

5. Research colleges and visit college campuses. You can do additional online research for colleges (beyond what already has been done) and schedule campus visits at the colleges of greatest interest to you.