College admissions are getting ever more competitive. Standardized test scores have inched up and acceptance rates have dropped. Elite institutions in the United States such as Stanford and Princeton University now reject around 19 out of every 20 applicants, many of them with immaculate GPAs and perfect SAT or ACT scores. Consider also that every high school in the country will have a valedictorian, a class president, and any number of basketball players, debate team members, cheerleaders, and National Honor Society inductees.
This means that it is simply not enough to score well on objective measures of scholastic performance or to only participate in customary extracurricular activities. To set yourself apart, you need to demonstrate truly exceptional qualities and depth of character. Admissions committees are always looking for such additional evidence such as dedication to your studies, initiative, the ability to set goals, plan, and execute, and experiences beyond standard school curricula. Our students find that World Scholars Academy summer courses are the perfect way to demonstrate these finer qualities.
So, can a summer program help you get into your dream school? And what other factors are important to your application? Here is some practical advice on how to enhance your college admissions chances.
GRADES ARE KEY
A recent article from the New York Times argues that high school grades may be the single most consequential determinant of college admissions success. Why do grades matter so much? Mostly because they demonstrate effort, grit, and determination, as well as representing a credible signal of your ‘preparedness’ to keep up with the higher level of study required at university.
At World Scholars Academy, world-leading experts who know what it takes to perform at an elite level will provide you with tailored individual attention to help boost your academic performance. This is true whether you’re already at the top of your class, or if you have only just started to aim higher. There is no better way to accelerate your academic growth than to have an elite mentor show you the ropes of their discipline. At the same time, you'll have the time and space to explore your subject beyond a high school curriculum, both in breadth and depth. You will also be introduced to the advanced ideas and mindsets that will enable you to set yourself apart from your peers and on the path to achieving exceptional academic success.
Although grades are a crucial component of your application, they are by no means the only yardstick by which admissions committees assess candidates. As CNBC has recently reported, colleges are carefully examining applicants’ extracurricular activities, particularly those done over the summer holidays. Furthermore, a recent article from the Princeton Review ranks specialized summer programs as the #1 best way to boost your college application chances over the summer.
WHAT DID YOU DO LAST SUMMER?
This is a common question that university applicants may hear during admissions interviews. Just as a prospective employer wants to know what you’ve done in between jobs, colleges are interested in what you got up to during your summers. Are you really as devoted to your studies as you claim? Do you aggressively seek opportunities for growth even when no one is looking and you don’t have to? Do you have well-rounded experiences comprising a multitude of situations, peoples, and places?
Increasingly, there’s even something known as the “the summer school effect” as reported by the UK’s Guardian newspaper. According to this research, teenagers who attended a prestigious summer school program were 21% more likely to progress to an elite university compared to students from otherwise similar academic and social backgrounds who had not.
A PEERLESS SUMMER PROGRAM
So, what kind of high school summer programs are best for tipping the scale in your favor with elite universities? Ideally it should be a focused course that reflects what you want to study at university. It should also be taught by a well-respected educator in that field, who ideally can provide you with a personal reference to attest to your abilities on your application.
Let’s say you’re interested in studying investing and becoming a Wall Street trader. In that case, a rigorous summer business course and a letter of recommendation from an internationally respected scholar would help differentiate you from similar applicants. Our World Business Academy is perfect for those interested in investing and business. Exceptional summer programs are also available for students interested in Medicine, Law, Engineering, and more. Students who also want a broad overview of these disciplines, or who are not quite sure yet which subject they would like to study, might also consider our Career Exploration course.
Our academic programs focus on developing your knowledge and confidence to tackle higher studies, and are an invaluable asset to any student looking to increase their college readiness and gain clarity on their future career path. Applying yourself on one of our courses will demonstrate initiative and dedication towards your studies, regardless of the particular subject you wish to pursue in future.
Another important benefit of doing a high school summer program is that it can help make up for any weaknesses or gaps in other areas of your application. For instance, admissions officer Steven Infanti of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology has said, “When I look at an applicant who has a 2.5 [GPA], which would be kind of a borderline admit for us, but I see on his application, I participate in this camp…that shows a lot of initiative and someone who has a passion.”
Admissions committees pay attention to these details, and taking on an academic summer course is a way to stand out from the crowd and get noticed!
GAINING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE
Of course, like many students you might not even know yet what you want to study in college, let alone pursue as a career. World Scholars Academy can help provide you with the information you need to make these important decisions, offering courses that are not available at your school such as Medicine and Law, and even if they are, they wont be taught by the same caliber of instructor. How would you know if you wanted to study these subjects unless you tried them out? Wouldn’t climbing a mountain be easier if you had an expert guide to show you the quickest way to the top? Joining one of our summer courses is a short cut to creating your ideal future, allowing you to learn essential skills and try out new subjects before committing to a four year undergraduate degree.
Adding a rigorous summer course to your application will also prove to admissions officers that you are serious about your subject and ready to commit. For example, one of the most important things you need in order to apply to medical school is evidence of practical work experience. On our Medicine Summer Courses, you’ll engage in mock patient meetings, take their histories, and diagnose their conditions. Not only will you learn a great deal from this experience, but you’ll also be able to refer to it in your applications as evidence of your commitment to medicine.
KEY TAKEAWAYS - ENHANCING YOUR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CHANCES
There are many other potential benefits to attending summer courses besides improving your college application, from realizing your academic potential, increasing your independence, making great friends, to gaining multicultural experiences, all while having an unforgettable experience. World Scholars Academy offers all of these benefits with our acclaimed online summer courses and internships for ages 12-18 in leading academic disciplines. Get inspired to reach your full potential at World Scholars Academy this summer, and gain the skills and guidance needed to achieve elite levels of success.