By: Mae Cornes

Most students know that in order to be competitive for a university, they need to use their summers strategically. But there are millions of different summer programs, classes, and individual passion projects that any student might choose. How can they find the right path? This is where Zenith Prep Academy’s guidance can help. 

In this article, Zenith Prep Academy covers two case studies and what a strategic summer plan would look like for those students. 

Situations and Summer Planning:

Situation 1: 9th grader looking to break into biology research

This student has done well in his 9th-grade classes–he especially enjoyed AP Biology. He wants to do medical research, but he doesn’t have access to a lab where he can actually conduct experiments. What can he do?

Plan for Situation 1: 

Actually, getting a position in a lab is a long-term goal that this student would need to build toward with a resume that can convince a researcher to invite him to join a lab. This might be something that is achievable in the summer after 10th or 11th grade if he has prepared himself to be competitive for that opportunity. 

• Publication: Start trying to get his toe into research by publishing a research article called a “literature review” that does not actually require the student to conduct an original experiment but does require the student to read current research, synthesize it, and then draw conclusions about the shape of a research field. There are a lot of programs that can help with this kind of work, and a Zenith counselor can help students find and apply for the right kind of support. 
• Advanced Classes: If he has already completed an advanced Biology course, this student can show a deeper interest in biology by taking a community college-level course in genetics and genomics or physiology. 
• Community Involvement: Students aiming for the healthcare field need to show that they can actually communicate with people. However, most healthcare volunteering opportunities are age-gated and students need to be at least 16 years old. A Zenith counselor can help students find age-appropriate opportunities, like being a volunteer listener with 7Cups. 

Situation 2: A 10th grader who is having challenges with ECs and Grades

What about a student who has a mixture of As, Bs, and Cs and wants to major in engineering? To show leadership, he started an engineering club at his school, but the club never really got off the ground. 

Plan for Situation 2: 

There are a lot of things that will need to fall in place for this student, and he’s not going to have any time to waste if he wants this summer to help him get on a stronger track. A three-point plan for this student might look like this:

• SAT/ACT: If a student has weaker grades, a stronger SAT or ACT score can really help. But taking 30 hours of test prep each week would be an “overinvestment” in SAT/ACT prep: those classes don’t really count as an extracurricular activity, and the student will need to save time to tackle some other important priorities. An average of 2-3 hours of test prep per day is a good place for them to start. 
• GPA Repair: Any student who has GPA challenges should take additional classes over the summer to help show an upward trajectory. The great way to do this will either be through Precollege Programs like BU High School Honors or at a local community college. There are many, many choices, not all of which are equally good. Zenith Counselors can help families choose the right option. 
• Build Leadership: This student should also try to diagnose what went wrong with the Engineering Club. One problem might have been that the club did not have a concrete goal that the whole club is working towards. A Zenith counselor can help the student find engineering competitions that the club can take part in. 

Every Summer Plan is Different

The summer plan for every student, in every grade level, is going to look different: it needs to take into account a student’s strengths and weaknesses, and look towards larger long-term goals. At Zenith Prep Academy, we specialize in advising students and families on the summer plan that is the effective way to get them from where they are to where they want to be. 

Published by: Holy Minoza