You’ve just about made it through what’s often the most intense year of high school, and you deserve a chance to relax and recharge. At the same time, summer is a key opportunity to prepare for college applications before senior year begins.

First things first: if you haven’t already done so, now is the time to request letters of recommendation from two academic teachers. Ideally, these are teachers from 11th grade, but once can be from 10th grade if you have a strong relationship with someone who will write a great letter. Be ready to provide a brag sheet or summary of your accomplishments to help them write personalized evaluations.  If there’s someone else you’d like a letter from, like a coach, employer, club advisor or other mentor, you can have that conversation now as well.  Keep in mind that the Common App shuts down at the end of July and reopens August 1, after which you can officially invite your recommenders through the system, or through whatever process your high school uses.

Once you’ve taken a short breather, start tackling your applications and essays. The more you get done this summer, the less stress you’ll face in the fall. My students are drafting their activities lists and brainstorming topics for their personal essays, and will be doing a lot of writing in July and August. (For initial essay support, I’m offering a workshop on June 8 with an individual follow-up session. You can register here.) Keep in mind that most of the work you do now in the Common App will carry over to the new application cycle, but college-specific questions won’t, so wait until August to complete those sections.

I’m also working with students to refine their college lists and make sure they have a good balance of reach, target and likely schools, every one of which offers a good fit. Summer often allows more time to focus on virtual college research and opportunities, and lots of you will also be doing in-person campus tours to learn about academics and student life; just keep in mind that what you see during summer break may not be typical of what things look like when school is in session. If you can schedule your travel for the end of the summer, you might be able to catch the beginning of the semester before your first day of school. Regardless of when you go, preparation ahead of your visit can help you get the most out of your time on campus. Think carefully about what matters most to you and what you want to learn about, from majors to clubs to support resources.

I’m cheering you on as you head into this exciting application season, and if you need support I’d love to work with you.  Please contact me for more about options for individual advising.