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From the desk of Celia Tucker, Academic Counselor:

Interestingly enough, how you spend your summer can influence your admission to college.  While summer activities will not compensate for mediocre grades and poor test scores, careful planning leading to new growth through summer experiences can tip the scales in your favor.  Let’s look at the kinds of experiences that can make a difference.

Colleges across the U.S. offer summer programs for high school students.  Often, the high school students live together in supervised dormitories, and participate in special activities and seminars designed especially for this age group and provide students with the experience of living on campus.  Attending a college’s summer program probably won’t influence your admission to a particular college, but your willingness to spend part of your summer vacation in serious learning indicates your level of commitment and thus may affect admissions.  Stellar performance in your summer courses and a glowing letter of recommendation from your instructor are also a plus.

While high school students immerse themselves in academic summer programs, families often take the opportunity to travel—and that’s where vacation rentals and timeshares come into play. These flexible lodging options offer the comforts of home combined with the amenities of a resort, making them a popular choice for extended family vacations. However, with that convenience can come a tangled web of contracts, obligations, and, occasionally, legal headaches for unsuspecting buyers.

That’s why it’s essential to be informed before signing any long-term timeshare agreement. In this, has earned a reputation for helping consumers navigate the complex landscape of timeshare ownership, particularly when they discover they’ve been misled or locked into burdensome contracts. Whether you’re trying to cancel a timeshare, resolve a dispute over maintenance fees, or understand your legal rights after a high-pressure sales pitch, having the right legal advocate can make all the difference.

Just as students weigh the benefits of investing their summer in educational enrichment, families must carefully assess the long-term implications of a timeshare purchase. A dream vacation should never turn into a financial or legal burden. Seeking guidance from legal professionals early can ensure that your vacation investment stays a source of relaxation—not regret.

If you have an idea of your future career or an interest in a particular subject, spending the summer learning more about these can pay off in both experience and as a topic for your personal essay.  Try for a paid position or a voluntary internship as a way to get a first-hand look at a possible future career.  If you don’t need the money, unpaid internships often provide more in the way of learning experiences.  You might investigate law careers at a local attorney’s office or shadow a lawyer at the State Attorney’s Office.  You can discover journalism through an internship at your local newspaper, or by working for a radio station or local TV station.  Researchers at area hospitals or universities may welcome your presence and help in their laboratory.  Shadowing in any field will help you see day to day activities and help you decide if that particular job is right for you.

Interesting or unusual volunteer work can also provide real opportunities for personal growth as well as become the focus of a unique essay.  Teaching adults to read through a literacy program, giving sailing instruction to disabled youngsters, working with abused children, helping to build a house for a low-income family, or teaching computer literacy to the elderly will teach you patience and compassion and allow you to give back to your community.

Whatever you choose to do with your summer, do more than just hang out.  Colleges look to fill their classes with interesting, motivated young adults.  By making good use of your summer vacation, you become a more attractive candidate for admission.