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Even through all the struggles, your 4 years in high school are some of the best times of your life. On this page you'll find posts that will help you maximize your time in high school in order to best prepare for the future, with things like applying to summer programs, writing killer resumes, and taking those standardized tests.
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A Complete Breakdown of Extracurricular Activities
Via Student-Tutor
What even is a good extra-curricular activity nowadays anyway? Literally everyone plays at least one sport, plays at least one instrument, has at least one leadership position, and has so many hours of volunteering. So how do you make yourself stand out from the rest of the pack?
That is the question that plagues countless students, especially considering the crapshoot that college admissions have turned into these days.
The answer? Who knows, man.
But to try to take a stab at it, I’ve compiled information from many different resources, one of the most helpful being Johan Zhang, the CEO and founder of Collegevine, to give you a breakdown of what it means to be extra-curricularly active.
That is the question that plagues countless students, especially considering the crapshoot that college admissions have turned into these days.
The answer? Who knows, man.
But to try to take a stab at it, I’ve compiled information from many different resources, one of the most helpful being Johan Zhang, the CEO and founder of Collegevine, to give you a breakdown of what it means to be extra-curricularly active.
The Summer Programs I Applied to - Part 1
We’ve all heard the spiel, “the summer of your junior year is the most important one in high school! It’s your one chance to show colleges you do something other than sleep 14 hours a day and binge watch How I Met Your Mother during those days in July and August.” Doing something productive in the summer (and no, getting through a season of House in a day does not count as productive) is also a great way to separate yourself from the pack when it comes to college and applications.
I am a firm believer in applying to selective summer programs to try and get a leg up over most of your peers, and more than just that, to give yourself an opportunity to experience things beyond the regular high schooler. Whether that be through high school summer research, shadowing, or interning, every opportunity allows you to grow as a student and applicant.
I am a firm believer in applying to selective summer programs to try and get a leg up over most of your peers, and more than just that, to give yourself an opportunity to experience things beyond the regular high schooler. Whether that be through high school summer research, shadowing, or interning, every opportunity allows you to grow as a student and applicant.
The Summer Program I Applied to - Part 2
Here is the second part of this post.
Junior Year
Now, this is when sh*t got real. If I didn’t find a productive way to spend this summer, I was pretty much going to be a failure (in my own eyes). So I sat down, did some real research, regaled in the fact that I was finally old enough for all these programs, and set up a plan for everything I was going to apply to. This is the year, where along with research and similar programs, I applied for pre-college programs, where I would be getting credits at a particular university while studying alongside their undergrads.
Junior Year
Now, this is when sh*t got real. If I didn’t find a productive way to spend this summer, I was pretty much going to be a failure (in my own eyes). So I sat down, did some real research, regaled in the fact that I was finally old enough for all these programs, and set up a plan for everything I was going to apply to. This is the year, where along with research and similar programs, I applied for pre-college programs, where I would be getting credits at a particular university while studying alongside their undergrads.
All the Other Summer Programs That I Know Exist
Every year, there are those programs whose application due dates are like a good 2-3 weeks after the majority of the applications I fill out, and if I don’t fill out the later applications with the earlier ones, well there’s an almost 100% chance I will not get around to filling out the ones that have a later due date. Now of course, I’m just a lazy person like that, and I’m not saying everyone is like that (props to you if you aren’t!), but I really really wish I would’ve filled these applications out, I might have gotten something out of it. Well, it’s too late for me, but please guys, don’t abandon applications just because they have a later due date and you just wanna be done with them. Learn from my mistakes.
Competitive Merit-Based Summer Programs that Actually Make a Difference
Via MIT OEOP
Everyone tells us that our summers during high school are important. Especially after sophomore and junior year. You finally have the time to devote to something, whether that be an internship, a job, or a passion project (like this blog!). Now, even I have already told you this (go read this) but it’s worth a reiteration.
Even though whatever you do in those summers is undoubtedly of value and helps your growth as a person and as a college applicant, there are a few summer programs that are almost like a neon sign screaming “Look here! This one’s the real deal!” These are ones that mark you as one of the best in the nation at its respective focus and are opportunities not to be passed up.
In fact, a lot of the applications for these summer programs are opening around this time (I know, it feels like summer just ended, but the next one will be here sooner than you know). So I encourage you to apply, even if you think you don’t have a chance - you never know.
Even though whatever you do in those summers is undoubtedly of value and helps your growth as a person and as a college applicant, there are a few summer programs that are almost like a neon sign screaming “Look here! This one’s the real deal!” These are ones that mark you as one of the best in the nation at its respective focus and are opportunities not to be passed up.
In fact, a lot of the applications for these summer programs are opening around this time (I know, it feels like summer just ended, but the next one will be here sooner than you know). So I encourage you to apply, even if you think you don’t have a chance - you never know.
How to Write a Killer Resume
What exactly is a resume, you ask? "A resume is like a skirt; it needs to be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting." According to someone somewhere on LinkedIn. XD But all jokes aside, a resume is one of the most important tools in your arsenal, either as a student or professional. It gives a concise yet thorough summary of your background, qualifications, and skills so that future employers (or anyone, really) can get a sense of whether you are the right person for the position in question.
I’m sure all of you guys know how important a resume is, and I don’t know why it’s not taught more in schools, but here’s my guide to writing a killer resume. This is how I learned it in 7th grade (thanks Mr. Nalven!), and the template I have been using ever since.
I’m sure all of you guys know how important a resume is, and I don’t know why it’s not taught more in schools, but here’s my guide to writing a killer resume. This is how I learned it in 7th grade (thanks Mr. Nalven!), and the template I have been using ever since.
The Complete Guide to SAT Subject Tests
Via Galin Education
Every math, biology, or US history course is taught differently in each and every school throughout the United States. Which makes it almost impossible to compare the caliber of these subjects and the caliber of these students, especially when trying to make decisions on college admissions.
For that reason, an excellent indicator of mastery in a specific subject is an SAT Subject Test. It allows a standardized measure of achievement across the country and can be a valuable indicator of academic ability, in a way the normal SAT or ACT are not.
So to help navigate the ins and outs of this suite of assessments, here’s a quick and comprehensive guide to all things SAT Subject Test.
For that reason, an excellent indicator of mastery in a specific subject is an SAT Subject Test. It allows a standardized measure of achievement across the country and can be a valuable indicator of academic ability, in a way the normal SAT or ACT are not.
So to help navigate the ins and outs of this suite of assessments, here’s a quick and comprehensive guide to all things SAT Subject Test.
The Hell Year (Or So It Is Called)
Via The Odyssey Online
The general consensus is that junior year is by far the worst part of high school. You try to take the hardest classes, the most APs, get good grades, be involved in extracurriculars, take leadership positions, take overly important standardized tests, and try to get some sleep while you’re at it. But sometimes, it can be given a little too much importance (not that it isn’t very important), and it may not be as bad as it seems.
Not to say that this past year, my junior year, was easy, but I didn’t feel like it was quite as hellish as everyone was warning it to be. It also happened in literally the blink of an eye - this was definitely the fastest year in high school so far. But now that the school year is over and I’ve had time to reflect, here’s what happened in my junior year and how I dealt with everything that came with it, along with some general advice for all you incoming juniors.
Not to say that this past year, my junior year, was easy, but I didn’t feel like it was quite as hellish as everyone was warning it to be. It also happened in literally the blink of an eye - this was definitely the fastest year in high school so far. But now that the school year is over and I’ve had time to reflect, here’s what happened in my junior year and how I dealt with everything that came with it, along with some general advice for all you incoming juniors.
Scholarships for High School Seniors
Via Neapolitan Family
The time has come, fellow seniors, for us to slave over hours and hours of personal statements, activities lists, and supplemental essays with the hope that we might (just might) get into the college of our dreams. And hopefully, by this point we've already let a few of our apps venture into the unknown that is the college admissions office. But the January 1st deadline will soon be upon us.
But what happens in 6 months when you get into Princeton (by some stroke of amazing luck) but now have to deal with that $60k+ price tag?
Exactly.
So to avoid that sticky situation, here are some scholarships for high school seniors to apply to this college application season and maybe save some money along the way.
But what happens in 6 months when you get into Princeton (by some stroke of amazing luck) but now have to deal with that $60k+ price tag?
Exactly.
So to avoid that sticky situation, here are some scholarships for high school seniors to apply to this college application season and maybe save some money along the way.
My Liberty Science Center Partners in Science Experience
For the summer of 2017, right before my senior year, I was one of the participants of the Liberty Science Center Partners in Science Program, where high schoolers from around the state (and more) were given the opportunity to gain laboratory experience working with a mentor. (For more about this program, click here.)
I originally had all these posts out separately, but they were taking up too much room, so here's a handy dandy composite post that has links to each individual weekly update.
I originally had all these posts out separately, but they were taking up too much room, so here's a handy dandy composite post that has links to each individual weekly update.