Versed Editors's blog

Summer before senior year is the most important summer for high school students. This is the time when most opportunities are available to them - jobs, internships, summer programs, etc. Beyond academic, extracurricular, and career related pursuits, this is also a great time for students to get started on the college admissions process. Here is a checklist we have compiled for rising seniors, so that they can make the most of the summer, and get ahead on college applications so that they are off to a great senior year when school starts again.

 

Engage in meaningful summer activities 

Students can check out our blog on Still Without Summer Plans? Don't Worry, Consider These Great Options to learn more about possible summer internships, programs, or classes that might be open. While many of these options may no longer be available, students can consider taking on jobs, online courses, or personal projects. 

Colleges value job experiences as they speak to the students' motivations and interpersonal skills. This means that students can take up any job, whether working as an intern for a startup company or as a cashier at the local grocery store. However, it works best when students take on a job that builds on skills that lend themselves to their future goals. Read Why Summer Jobs and Work Experience Matter When High School Students Apply to College for additional insights. 

If this option is difficult for students to take on right now, they may also consider taking online courses in various subjects over the summer. Different online platforms offer courses in disciplines ranging from science to English to languages to arts and music, to name a few, that students can take classes in, allowing them to choose to take up a course in their area of interest. Here are some links that can provide more information on what students can do this summer:

Still Without Summer Plans? Don't Worry, Consider These Great Options

Last Minute Internship Searches

Best of Online Learning - University Classes

Best of Online Learning - Coding

Best of Online Learning: Music and Art

Best of Online Learning - Language

 

Figure out a game plan for standardized exams

Post pandemic, colleges are following different policies on making standardized tests optional or mandatory. However, it is still a good idea for students to consider taking these tests and use the summer to develop a game plan for these exams. How to Prep for the SAT/ACT and Best Online Learning SAT/ACT Prep will provide tips on getting started and staying focused. Standardized Testing Quick Guide is an excellent checklist to ensure students are ready on the test day.

 

Get started on the college list

Putting a college list together is a long process that requires time and planning. It is ideal for students to begin putting together their list sooner rather than later, and the summer is the perfect time to research and put together a comprehensive list. Students should ideally have a final list of 10-12 schools. Students can learn a lot about schools and eliminate many schools just through online research that they can do right from their homes. If students are considering ED/EA, the summer is a good time for them to make sure this is the right school for them. Use the Finding Your College Questionnaire | Versed to prioritize what is important for each student. Additionally, students can reach out to students who are currently attending these universities to get additional information directly from the source. You can reach out to these students by tapping into the high school alumni base, friends, neighbors, or friends of parents who attend or attended the colleges of interest. They can provide insights about the college that is not on the college’s website. 

Students can also use the summer to visit colleges. Right now, most colleges are back to offering in-person visits to students. If possible, students should take advantage of this opportunity. Colleges also offer virtual tours. Check out the website of the college you are interested in to see if this is an option if visiting in-person may not be possible. 

 

Get a head start on College Applications

The college application is split into different sections. Most of the sections are relatively quick to fill out, so why not get a head start? The activities section is the section students should spend time on, as it not only states the extracurriculars that students were involved in, but explains the importance and role it plays in the students’ high school career. Although some information may have to be changed as senior year progresses, getting a head start will give students less to worry about as college application deadlines come closer. Read this Guide to the Common App to learn more about what students have to prepare for the Common App.

Summer is not too early to get started on college essays. This includes not only the personal Common App Essay, but also any supplemental essays that colleges will require of students. The prompts for the Common App Essay are already out and colleges are starting to (or may already have) announce their 2022-2023 Supplemental Essay prompts. 5 Simple Tips to Writing a Great College Application Essay is a good starting point on brainstorming and getting a plan in place for tackling essays.

Use this link for Online Resources for College Admissions.

 

Get organized on Financial Aid

While important for students to be mindful of, this step is directed more toward parents. Parents need to get informed about the financial aid process and start looking at what is required in filling out the FAFSA and CSS forms for financial aid in the United States. This will require you to start getting your documents in order, such as income tax return forms. Learn more by getting started with Financial Aid 101. Also refer to How to Create a Financially Balanced College List prior to finalizing college list.

 

Ask for recommendations 

Ideally, this is something that is already done at this point. If not, students should ask teachers and counselors for recommendations as soon as possible. Most colleges require recommendation letters from a guidance counselor and at least 2 teachers. Students should ask for recommendation letters from teachers who can tell colleges more about them than being an A+ student. Getting good grades from a teacher doesn’t necessarily mean that the teacher knows the student very well. Students should choose teachers that they’ve sat down and had conversations with because teachers will be able to write a more personal recommendation that really shows the student in a positive light. Students have to ask ahead of time for teacher recommendations because chances are, teachers are incredibly busy with their own schedules and other recommendation letter requests. The sooner the student asks, it is more likely that teachers will have time to write the letter, and also be able to write a thoughtful letter that is not rushed.

Take some time off to unwind and enjoy the summer. 

Once fall semester starts, it will be a busy time for seniors. College applications will begin to pile on along with schoolwork. Students should take this time to relax and enjoy their summer as much as they can.

 

For additional insights on college admissions process:

 

Get Your Common App Essay Done This Summer

Favorite Resources For Parents About Applying To College

Still Without Summer Plans? Don't Worry, Consider These Great Options

 

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By: Larry Liu, The Spike Lab

We all know how it feels to be motivated. It’s a state characterized by clarity, focus, and boundless energy. We’re willing to run through brick walls to achieve our goals. Yet for many high schoolers, it can be hard to tap into this feeling. And many parents who want to help operate under false beliefs about motivation. These beliefs can lead to actions that are counterproductive and ultimately de-motivating. And yet, self-motivation for students is important.

During my work at The Spike Lab, I’ve seen firsthand the huge benefits available to students who can successfully self-motivate. The good news is that the ability to self-motivate is a superpower that any student can learn and practice. Whether the goal is launching a Spike or earning a stellar GPA, high schoolers can improve their odds of success by understanding the basics of motivation.

In this article, I’ll dispel some common misconceptions about self-motivation for students, use an example from science to help us better understand motivation, and offer practical tips for young people looking to stay motivated.

 

What motivation is…and what it isn’t

Because motivation is something we feel, a precise definition can be hard to pin down. Just because we know how it feels to be motivated doesn’t mean we know what causes this feeling.

Generally speaking, motivation is a force that wills a person to do a task. It’s the drive that underlies most of our behavior. More specifically, Nir Eyal claims that motivation springs from a desire to avoid discomfort. Echoing this idea, writer Steven Pressfield (paraphrased in this article by James Clear) defines motivation by saying that “at some point, the pain of not doing something becomes greater than the pain of doing it.”

Before getting more specific on our definition of motivation (and discussing strategies for conquering discomfort), let’s start by clearing the air on what motivation isn’t.

BECOMING A MOTIVATED PERSON ISN’T AN END GOAL IN ITSELF.

Being motivated isn’t like being a certified scuba instructor or being a tennis champ. There’s no course you can take to become motivated. It’s not the final destination of a trip – it’s the fuel that powers many cars.

BEING “MOTIVATED” ISN’T A CONSTANT STATE.

Even in high-performers, motivation can wax and wane over the course of a project. Motivation definitely isn’t something that some people are just born with.

MOTIVATION CAN’T BE IMPOSED.

Rewards and punishments (extrinsic motivation) can be especially dangerous because they often work in the short term. But studies have found that too much extrinsic motivation can leave kids unprepared for the real world.

Any of these misconceptions can lead to unproductive behavior. With regard to the last point, you may wonder, “is all extrinsic motivation bad?” The answer is no. It’s unrealistic to deny extrinsic motivation as a major factor in our world, as many of us work hard to pursue the school or career of our dreams. Good self-motivation practices for students should balance extrinsic and intrinsic forces.

 

The basic mechanics of self-motivation for students

How can parents tell if their student is motivated? Physics gives us a useful metaphor for understanding how motivation acts upon a person. According to Newton’s laws, all bodies in motion have direction, speed, and acceleration. Each of these three properties reveals a basic truth about motivation.

Direction. For an object to move, it needs to travel in a generally consistent direction for a sustained amount of time. Any object that is constantly changing directions will ultimately not travel very far. Likewise, any motivated person will be able to tell you what single goal they’re working toward.

Speed. Unsurprisingly, a moving object must also move toward its goal. The change in position over time is known as the object’s speed. How quickly is the person approaching their goal? Are they closer today than they were last week? Simply describing the goal isn’t enough. A student who can self-motivate will demonstrate progress toward that goal over time.

Acceleration. Direction and speed are crucial, but the most important property of self-motivation is acceleration. This is also known as the rate of change. We can know a person’s acceleration by asking a simple question: is their speed increasing or decreasing over time?

People who are feeling motivated will usually be able to tell you where they’re headed, how fast they’re going, and how quickly they’re speeding up. So how do we master this superpower?

 

Self-determination and self-motivation for students

When we talk about motivation (especially for students) we should always talk about self-motivation. This framing turns motivation into an ability that we can practice through specific techniques, just like time management. Becoming a great self-motivator requires an understanding of the basic conditions that cause someone to become…yes, motivated.

According to Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory, deep down we are all motivated by a desire for growth and fulfillment in life. We want to improve. Deci and Ryan argue that growth happens when we practice self-determination. We can become more intrinsically motivated, more self-motivated, by increasing our self-determination.

We cultivate our self-determination when we pursue goals that meet our needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy is our perceived ability to exercise freedom and control over our work. Competence means feeling like we have the skills required to get a job done. Finally, a task’s relatedness is its perceived connection to our social circles and the broader community.

Let’s return to discomfort for a moment. If motivation springs from self-determination and from discomfort, then the two things must be related. For high school students, discomfort often arises when trying new things or doing work in subjects that they’re not “good at.” These moments can motivate students to retreat from new experiences. But instead of shrinking away, these are moments when students can flip the script and own their self-determination. Discomfort should come from staying stagnant, from not increasing self-determination, from not growing.

So, how does one increase their self-determination? Students who want to increase their self-determination should focus on their goals, attitudes, and habits.

 

Goals on self-motivation for students

Because motivation is the means to an end, one of the most important things we can do is choose the end that’s right for us. The best goals are the ones that align with the principles of self-determination. We must choose the goal for ourselves, the goal must make use of our specific competencies, and we must believe the goal will have some impact on the world around us.

Sometimes we don’t know if a specific goal is right for us. In many cases, we hesitate to start because we don’t know if we’ll be sufficiently motivated. The best thing to do is set a general direction, and just get going. Then, ask yourself why certain aspects of the project are more motivating than others and use findings to hone down on a specific direction.

 

Attitudes and habits to build self-motivation for students

Just having the right goal isn’t enough. The truth is that many of our tasks aren’t directly related to our goals in life (chores, perhaps?). And even if we have an excellent goal, the path won’t be entirely smooth. Therefore, it’s important to adopt the corresponding attitudes and habits in order to increase motivation.

Having the right attitude can simply mean shifting your perspective. Dr. Tsz Lun Chu suggests that we can help motivate ourselves to perform tasks that are low in relatedness and autonomy by framing them in a new light. Great examples of this shift include expressing gratitude for having the opportunity to do something.

Good habits can also dramatically increase our chances of staying motivated. James Clear writes that “motivation is often the result of action, not the cause of it.” When things get tough, we can fall back on habits as basic as waking up at the same time every morning. Often, all we need to do is start a task in order to follow through.

 

More strategies on self-motivation for students

Ultimately, motivation is a feeling that arises from certain behaviors. In my career as a teacher and cofounder of The Spike Lab, I’ve noticed some common strategies that can help students motivate themselves. Use these tips to break through discomfort and become more self-motivated.

 

Have more “why” conversations.

Self-motivated people are willing to assess their motivation. They take an honest, nuanced view and figure out which aspects of their current project they’re motivated to work on and which aspects they aren’t. If your motivation to learn a skill or take a step forward is low, you can help yourself understand the bigger picture.

 

Be intentional and specific with your goals.

Another example from James Clear. Saying that you’ll go for a run tomorrow is one thing, but saying you’ll go for a run tomorrow at 6:00 AM through the Maple St trail is another. People who set the second kind of goal are more likely to follow through.

 

Break goals into subgoals.

Sometimes we lose motivation because we’ve broken off more than we can chew. If a goal seems too big, break it down into a smaller task and set your sights on that.

 

Recruit allies.

Using peers, family, or a coach for support can also be incredibly powerful. These people can hold you accountable and help you when motivation inevitably starts to drop.

 

Practice.

Practice different self-motivation techniques and figure out what’s right for you. In addition to the techniques I’ve mentioned, some people like to reward themselves for completing different goals.

 

Rest.

Don’t forget to rest. You don’t have to burn the candle at both ends all the time. If you have a plan, trust that it will carry you to success. If you know how to manage your time and self-motivate, victory is assured.

 

For parents: How to motivate your child

Just like misconceptions about motivation can damage a student’s ability to self-motivate, healthy involvement from parents can make a big impact for the better. Rather than imposing extrinsic motivation, help your child practice self-motivation. Parents can do this by providing support rather than criticism, and inspiring rather than controlling. One of the best things parents can do is to model the curiosity and wonder that leads us to form new interests and hobbies.

At The Spike Lab, we’ve noticed that strong social connectivity can make a world of difference in a student’s Spike. Students benefit from having a person around them to spark curiosity and provide encouragement.

 

Reprinted with permission from the Spike Lab. The original article can be found here.

 

About Larry Liu and The Spike Lab

 

Larry is an educator and co-founder of The Spike Lab. He was a high school teacher for six years, during which he taught AP Psychology, AP English, IB Physics, Robotics, Game Design, and Special Ed English. He has designed and run student leadership programs in the US, China, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Larry is an expert on growth mindset and founded an education consulting company that coaches school leaders throughout the US.

 

Before The Spike Lab, Larry became an experienced entrepreneurship coach, mentoring the founders of early stage startups through recognized startup accelerator programs like 4.0 Schools, the CUNY Student Accelerator, and The New School’s New Challenge. Larry speaks English and Mandarin fluently and currently lives in Taipei.

 

The Spike Lab is dedicated to helping students across the world find their passions and build a “Spike,” a project that has real-world impact and is uniquely impressive.Our coaches are top college graduates and world-class experts at teaching entrepreneurship. Students work 1-1 with a coach to develop skills to succeed in the modern world, through high school, college, and their careers after.

 

For additional insights, check out:

Do High School Students Need a Focus?

Build A Person, Not A Resume™

6 Steps to Better Grades

How to Help Your Teens Manage Their Time

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter 

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Don't miss this weekend extravaganza of classes for middle school students at MIT that is almost free ($40 for the entire weekend).

Spark is a one-weekend program designed to give students the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects. MIT students and community members from the student-run Educational Studies Program teach a variety of classes, from urban orienteering to mathematics to Chinese brush painting and everything in between!

Spark 2022 is a virtual for 7th-8th graders on the weekend of March 12-13. 

Register for classes by March 1st at <https://esp.mit.edu/learnspark22>!

 

At Spark, MIT students and community members will offer over 100 classes, on topics as diverse as:

• Indian Cooking
• CRISPR: The Molecular Scissors
• Planning Like a Pro: Learning to Bullet Journal
• Intro to Quantum Physics

STEM Research Guide for High School (and Middle School) Students

This is the Bible of STEM research for High School students. In one comprehensive document, we provide students with detailed guidance on why, when, and how to conduct research. Includes over 1,000 listings of Research, Internship, Pre-College, Summer, School Year, Enrichment, and Volunteer Programs. Designed for High School and Middle School students looking ahead, this guide includes top programs in every category including Biology & Health Science, Computer Science, Engineering & Robotics, Physics & Astronomy, Math and more.

 

Learn More and Purchase this Guide

 

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter 

Receive inside track information on college admissions process, high school and middle school planning, general pre-college guidance, and be the first to know about our events and announcements.

 

 

 

 

 

Summer is just around the corner, and many high school students are starting to figure out what they will be doing over the summer months. We have been receiving many questions from high school families about how best to plan summers that would help with college admissions. We have assembled below 10 things students can do, but before exploring any of these options, it is important for students to take stock of what they are interested in, what their strengths are, and what skills they would like to develop over the summer, and throughout their high school years. 

 

There are many ways for high school students to spend their summers, and their free time in general but the best way to spend that time is to find something that the student can get excited about, want to spend time on, and want to go deeper into. What colleges care most about is that students show curiosity, commitment to an activity, desire to pursue excellence in what they do, and have a meaningful impact (personally and/or to those around them).

 

Students in 9th and 10th grade may be in the exploratory phase, and may want to try different classes, or summer programs, or work on a personal project in the arts, writing, business, or sciences. Some may already have very strong interests, and are gunning for an extremely competitive summer program for their Junior summer, which may entail working backwards and finding ways to strengthen their candidacy in their freshman and sophomore summer to be competitive in their junior summer. 11th graders with a track record of taking specialized courses in the sciences, or business, or the arts, may be ready to apply to the prestigious summer program, or internship, or ready to build an impressive arts portfolio or writing submission for publication. Many students will get a job or volunteer and experience what real life is all about and gain invaluable skills.

 

This is a great time for students to put a list together of all of the activities they are involved in as well as things they would like to try, or do more of. Then they should prioritize that list, to add classes/programs/jobs/etc. that strengthen their top priority activities.

 

1. Participate in specialized pre-college or high school program

There is an incredible array of specialized programs across many college campuses throughout the country. Learn about entrepreneurship at the Berkeley Business Academy. Learn about how countries solve Global Problems at the Yale Young Global Scholars. Learn cutting edge science research through Boston University RISE Internship. Whatever the interest, there is a plethora of programs to choose from. See Most Prestigious Summer Programs and Are Pre-College Summer Programs Worth It? for additional information.

 

2. Get a job, internship, or job-shadowing experience

Colleges truly value job experiences. Whether you work as a cashier at your local grocery store or you created social media marketing campaigns for a startup company, being able to get a job and do well at a job speaks volumes about a student's maturity, interpersonal skills, and motivations. It is also a plus when students have a focus, have some ideas about future career plans, and proactively work to build skills towards those goals. Read Why Summer Jobs and Work Experience Matter When High School Students Apply to College for additional insights.

 

3. Volunteer

Pursuing initiatives or activities for the common good of the community is something that colleges speak of frequently. Students that use time and energy to help those around them, whether it is at a local hospital or nursing home, or through advocacy work on climate change or local elections, college are looking for student leaders that are looking to make a positive impact on those around them. Don’t pursue this to impress colleges, but pick a cause that you care about and let those interests lead the way.

 

4. Take college courses through local community college

Local colleges offer advanced level courses not available in high schools. Motivated students can take advantage of this opportunity to pursue higher level, more specialized courses. Students will also get an opportunity to interact with college students.

 

5. Take online classes

There has been a revolution taking place in online education that has truly accelerated because of Covid-19 pandemic. You can take just about any classes imaginable online now, and many for free. Checkout University MOOCS on platforms such as  Coursera and EdX. Outschool offers thousands of courses on every subject. See Best of Online Learning - University Classes, Best of Online Learning - Coding, and Best of Online Learning - Music and Art.

 

6. Get involved with research

Research is not just for STEM students. Although science research is a great option for students interested in pursuing new frontiers of science with local college professors or through pre-college programs, students can pursue research in social science, linguistics, literature, and the arts. Talk to your teachers about how students can get involved in college level research. Check out Intro to Science Research for some ideas. 

 

7. Work on an independent project

Work on a screenplay or novel. Get together with friends and create a jazz band. Research family genealogy and plan a family reunion. Start a company! Students should not be limited by organized programs when it comes to pursuing their interests. When pursuing something you care about, it does not need to be organized by a third party - it is most impressive to follow your heart to strike on your own (or with others you can recruit). See Entrepreneurship Opportunities for High School Students for additional information.

 

8. Take high school courses to jump ahead, remediate, get requirements out of the way

Perhaps you were not on the honors math track in middle school, but you would like to join the honors track in high school. Perhaps you are struggling in a class, and need to drop a class that needs to be made up in the summer. Perhaps you need to take a health class in the summer so that you can take the 2 full electives you really want during the school year. There are many great reasons to attend summer school!

 

9. Work on college applications, go on campus tours, study for standardized exams

For Juniors, and even sophomores, summer is a great time to study for standardized tests and get started on the college process. Check out Summer Checklist for the Class of 2021 for more information on getting started on the college application.

 

10. Go on family vacation, travel with friends, take a break!

Don’t forget, getting rest, enjoying family time, and recharging for the next school year is just as important as everything stated above. Take a couple of weeks out of the summer to enjoy being with family and friends doing things without a care in the world.

 

For additional insights, read:

Most Prestigious Summer Program

Are Pre-College Summer Programs Worth It?

High School Extracurriculars that Matter for College Admissions

2021 List of Summer Pre-College Programs

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter 

Receive inside track information on college admissions process, high school and middle school planning, general pre-college guidance, and be the first to know about our events and announcements.

 

 

The biggest event of the year for middle school STEM students is happening this coming week.

 

Society for Science and Broadcom Foundation invite you to see research conducted by the nation’s top middle school scientists!

 

Join the virtual public exhibition of the Broadcom MASTERS 2021 finalists’ original research projects! The Broadcom MASTERS is the nation’s premier STEM competition for middle school students.

 

Click HERE to download the 2021 Finalist Book.

 

Head HERE for the Broadcom MASTERS Science and Engineering Project Showcase.

 

 

 

STEM Research Guide for High School (& Middle School) Students

This is the Bible of STEM research for High School students. In one comprehensive document, we provide students with detailed guidance on why, when, and how to conduct research. Includes over 1,000 listings of Research, Internship, Pre-College, Summer, School Year, Enrichment, and Volunteer Programs. Designed for High School and Middle School students looking ahead, this guide includes top programs in every category including Biology & Health Science, Computer Science, Engineering & Robotics, Physics & Astronomy, Math and more.

 

Learn More and Purchase this Guide

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter 

Interested in learning about more events like this? Receive inside track information on college admissions process, high school and middle school planning, general pre-college guidance, and be the first to know about our events and announcements.

 

 

 

 

 

As students settle into school this month, with most in-person activities resuming, students will continue extracurricular activities they have already been involved in or explore new activities to pursue in the new school year. Extracurricular activities are an important part of high school as they provide an outlet for students to explore interests outside of the classroom and provide important leadership skills, as well as social and emotional benefits. It is also one of the most important criteria in how a college differentiates one applicant from another. Especially for highly selective colleges, where most applicants have near perfect grades and test scores, what students do outside of school is a key differentiator. Students that are involved deeply in meaningful activities and are achieving state and national recognition are at a significant advantage. But what extracurricular activity is meaningful? What level of involvement is required? What counts as leadership? What is unique? 

 

By now, everyone should already know that students should absolutely pursue activities that they are interested in and that they care about. Sports, arts, music, science research, community service, business internships - colleges do not prefer one category or another. It is most important that students pursue what they care about, because that will encourage them to spend time on it and have a meaningful experience. However, it is important to note that the level of involvement is very important, and that is where a student can differentiate themselves with a set of activities that show talent, dedication, and hard work. 

 

Level 1: Minimal involvement

Students entering high school should aim to start with level 1 as well as level 2 activities. The activities in level 1 are easily accessible to most students and require minimal to moderate involvement. For example, this includes being part of the school band or getting involved in the freshman team of a sport. Being a member of the French club or being a staff member of the school paper would fall into this category. Most students are involved in these activities, and college admissions officers see them listed on most applications. This is a great place to start, and most 9th graders will start here. Pursuing these activities will pave the way for students to figure out what activities interest them. They can then pursue these at more involved levels. 

 

Level 2: Significant involvement

The second level of extracurricular involvement shows that a student is committed to this activity and is spending dedicated time to pursue it. For example, a student takes on leadership positions such as secretary or treasurer of a club. Similarly, students involved in sports move up to varsity teams. Students are now working towards making an impact, earning recognition, and being involved in competitions if applicable. While this level of involvement shows commitment and interest, students should not stop here. Instead, they should aim for an even higher level of involvement. 

 

Level 3: High impact or achievement

Getting involved in level 3 extracurricular is a goal that students can work toward accomplishing. This level of involvement refers to activities that have high levels of achievement or impact. For example, involvement in school clubs and organizations must now reflect significant levels of leadership - becoming the Editor in Chief of the school newspaper, or Captain of the Debate team. Varsity athletes are now captains. This level of involvement shows colleges that students are committed and immersed in the activities, excelling, and taking on leadership roles. Other examples of this level include doing significant volunteer work, starting an organization, or winning regional competitions. 

 

Level 4: National/ international recognition 

Level 4 is the highest level of achievement that only a small group of students will reach. This includes high levels of achievement garnering national or international recognition. Students at this level are finalists in Regeneron STS, participating in National and International Math/Science Olympiads, winning Scholastic Art and Writing awards, and partaking in competitive summer programs such as the Telluride, PROMYS, and SSP. Athletes at this level are nationally ranked or are on teams winning national and international tournaments. This level of involvement in an extracurricular activity is not going to apply to most students. So, do not fret if you do not fall into this category.

 

What should be the goal?

When students apply to colleges, their goal should be to include higher levels of extracurricular activities - if possible, level 4 and level 3. Given how difficult it is to attain level 4 activities, it is OK if students do not have this to show as part of their application. Students should ideally have one or two activities at level 3, and/or few level 2 activities. Students should avoid listing ten level 1 activities. Depth is more important than breadth of activities. 

 

For those students whose interests do not clearly line up with high school activities...

Watch two great webinars on helping students pursue unique opportunities through independent projects and research.

 

WATCH THE WEBINAR

 

WATCH THE WEBINAR

 

 

 

By Lloyd Nimetz of The Spike Lab

This year, college admissions was a tough game, especially for well-rounded students. The increase in applications to top-tier schools—sparked in part by the lifting of testing requirements—led to a significant decrease in the percentage of admitted students. Harvard admitted a mere 3.4 percent of applicants, Yale a paltry 4.6 percent, and Princeton a measly 3.98 percent. Other elite colleges had similar stats. Even high achieving, well-rounded students with stellar academic records and extracurriculars didn’t get admissions offers at their desired Ivies and other top schools

The trend reveals a harsh truth: When admissions counselors are comparing well-rounded students with equally stunning transcripts, equally impressive resumes, and equally articulate, well-crafted essays, they need to look to other criteria in considering what makes prospective students stand out. And in a crowded field of applicants with similarly compelling achievements and academic records, a Spike is like catnip for admissions committees.

 

The Growing Competitiveness of College Admissions

The value, and indeed the imperative of the Spike doesn’t come out of thin air. It reflects an ongoing evolution in the criteria and rigor of college admissions. Once upon a time, students could get into a school like Harvard with nothing more than an understanding of classical languages. (To be fully transparent, the standards of the time also required that students were white, male, and financially well-off.) Nowadays, of course, the college admissions criteria are more comprehensive academically, more inclusive, and less esoteric. These changes occurred over time: as the number and quality of applicants increased, admissions considerations changed in tandem.

In an earlier era of college admissions, schools accepted everyone who applied. In the 1920s, colleges instituted what is now commonly known as “selective admissions,” a fancy-sounding term that essentially means not everyone who applied was accepted. Over the decades, schools became increasingly selective, admitting a smaller and smaller percentage of applicants, even as the population of student hopefuls grew.  Certain schools, of course, were known as being more selective than others.

 

The Highly Selective College

Reflecting on this trend as evidenced in recent decades, college counselor and former admissions officer Jim Jump considers the altered landscape for highly selective schools the ones that accept less than one-third of applicants—in a piece for Inside Higher Ed.

In 1992 there were 20 colleges that admitted fewer than one-third of applicants, according to data provided in that year’s U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Colleges” guide; today there are 75 to 80. [In 1992] there were two colleges that admitted fewer than 20 percent, and today that number is closer to 40.

Jump’s summary of the trend provides helpful perspective not only for rising seniors but for the parents of seniors in the upcoming admissions cycle. Colleges nowadays are much more selective than when parents were applying to schools in their teens. The strategy of being a generally well-rounded student that worked for them often no longer makes the cut (see more on the well-rounded student below).

 

Go Beyond Being A Well-Rounded Student

So how do today’s high school seniors successfully hurdle the barriers to admission at selective schools? And do so while remaining authentic to their identities and aspirations as individuals? In the modern college admissions context, those who separate themselves from the pack of well-rounded students are those high schoolers who’ve shown their accomplishment and self-starting ethos with a Spike.

Education writer Jeff Selingo alludes to the value of that “extra something” in his book Who Gets In and Why, writing, “After a while many of the other numbers and key identifiers that accompany the applications begin to look the same. Everyone wants to major in biology, psychology, or business. They all scored a 1390 on the SAT and have a 3.7 [rebalanced] GPA… So again, the readers look for something that’s different."

That’s why we at The Spike Lab are devoted to guiding high schoolers to go beyond being a well-rounded student. Our students complete projects that capture their passion and spotlight their creative, scientific, altruistic, social, or entrepreneurial wherewithal. We feel these projects are one of the best ways for students to stand out and show colleges the qualities that they want in their undergrads: smarts, practicality, grit, maturity, focus, determination, follow-through, organization, leadership. Our stats this year prove the value of our innovative “Spikey” approach over that of the well-rounded student in college admissions. Even in an unprecedented year of limited acceptances, 94% of our students received offers from at least one of their reach schools.

 

The Evolution of College Admissions

When we survey the history of college admissions, we see that as admissions have become more competitive, applicants have always needed to surmount an increasingly higher bar to differentiate themselves from other students. There have been milestone shifts in this process, like when colleges decided that well-rounded students needed to have studied Math to be admitted, or have a high school diploma, or take a standardized test, or yield to other measures of an applicant’s knowledge and potential.

For higher education history buffs, this Insider article, this detailed chapter by higher ed historian John Thelin, and this timeline overview by Dr. Yvonne Romero da Silva, EdD, for the NACAC, provide informative highlights of college admissions history that can serve as jumping off points for further exploration. From the collage of these portraits, we can sift out a few archetypal student profiles that reflect the increasingly elevated watermarks for student achievement:

 

Academics: An Afterthought (Or: White, Male, Wealthy, and Well-Connected)

After its founding in 1636, Harvard’s main admissions considerations were that applicants knew classical languages and were white men. (For more on the black experience at Harvard, read this piece and this overview; for more on women at Harvard check out this essay). The implicit rule was that you were also from an upper class, well-to-do family. Once prep schools were established, elite colleges built their classes from students at “feeder” schools for the well-to-do, like Phillips Exeter Academy (founded 1781) and Andover (founded 1778). Colleges tended to be affiliated with religious denominations, and applicants self-selected to find their match. Over time, college admissions standards became more stringent. In the 1800s, schools reviewed courses that prospective students had studied and even subjected them to exams.

 

Standardized Testers

In the early 20th century, standardized tests became an educational norm and something of a cultural fad, riding the wave of enthusiasm of measuring “intelligence” sparked by the introduction of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale in 1916. Colleges throughout the US embraced the numbers tsunami, using standardized tests to evaluate potential students; in the 1920s and 30s, elite colleges began to be more open in accepting students from non-feeder schools who placed well on standardized tests, giving students incentives to catch the eyes of admissions through stellar scores. Even while critics have lambasted standardized tests for being unfair, biased, and not an accurate predictor of success in college academics, colleges then and now have used them to “take the measure” of students, and test scores have become benchmarks that students seek to meet, or top.

 

The Well-Rounded Student

The history of post-World War II higher ed is one of a growing pool of qualified applicants, resulting from a combination of legislation, government policy, breakthrough legal precedents, admissions incentives, and financial assistance programs, ranging from the GI Bill to Pell Grants and diversity initiatives. As competition for spots at top schools became more fierce, colleges began to look at a more “holistic” portrait of prospects that took into consideration a student’s character, challenges, and distinctive abilities. In this way, colleges gained a more nuanced understanding of applicants and the qualities they would bring to the school community and academics.

In the 1980s and 1990s, high schoolers who fit the well-rounded student profile emerged into the admissions taxonomy as the ideal prospects. To prove that they fit into the category, high schoolers began participating in a comprehensive range of extracurriculars—with the requisite investment from families—to show up more distinctly in the eyes of admissions officers. Simultaneously, these well-rounded students also began applying to multiple colleges to improve their chances at admittance.

 

The Spike Generation

With the well-rounded student phase over (some call it “well-lopsided”), the Era of the Spike has begun. Considering the perpetual magnification of scrutiny that college admissions officers direct towards students, the Spike is essential to successfully navigate the gauntlet of elite school admissions, because the competition for the coveted spots at top-ranked colleges has only grown more ferocious, as demonstrated in this year’s skyrocketing admissions numbers. Indeed, ever since the 1990s, the qualified applicant pool has grown in parallel with the growing US population, larger numbers of international applicants, the widespread adoption of a hyper achieving mentality, and heightened emphasis on diversity. Additionally, as the cost of higher ed has ballooned, families feel they get the most value from a smaller subset of top colleges.

In college admissions circa 2021, we are past the point where the well-rounded student is the ideal applicant. The Spike is both inevitable and valuable. So as you begin your college search, the question you must answer is: What’s yours?

 

About Lloyd Nimetz and The Spike Lab

Lloyd is the founder of The Spike Lab. He is a serial entrepreneur and startup investor who has been a founder of five for-profits and nonprofits in the US, Taiwan, Argentina and India. Previously he directed 4.0 Schools’ education startup accelerator and before that was the co-founder of Dev Bootcamp NYC (parent company was acquired by Kaplan Inc in 2014). Lloyd went to Stanford University for his MBA, majored in Economics during his undergraduate studies at Williams College and was a Fulbright Scholar.

The Spike Lab is dedicated to helping students across the world find their passions and build a “Spike,” a project that has real-world impact and is uniquely impressive.Our coaches are top college graduates and world-class experts at teaching entrepreneurship. Students work 1-1 with a coach to develop skills to succeed in the modern world, through high school, college, and their careers after.

 

 

Schedule a Call with us to learn more

If you are interested in connecting with the Spike Lab, or would like to speak to us about helping your child find an area of interest to pursue, please sign up for a call with us.

 

For addition insights, read:

10 Habits Of Highly Successful College Applicants

6 Steps to Better Grades

Entrepreneurship Opportunities for High School Students

 

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Receive inside track information on college admissions process, high school and middle school planning, general pre-college guidance, and be the first to know about our events and announcements.

 

 

Although most students pursue internships during the summer, there are many great opportunities for students to intern during the school year. Internships are an opportunity for motivated students to explore their interests and career opportunities prior to college. These opportunities give students a leg up on determining what college majors to apply to, help students get a better sense for the types of careers they should focus on, and help in the college admissions process by demonstrating true interest in the major, field and program that they are applying for.

Several well-renowned institutions within the United States offer internship programs to high school students in various disciplines ranging from nonprofit to politics to science, to name a few. Listed here are internships for fall 2021 with deadlines right around the corner. Rising seniors looking to enhance their upcoming college applications, in particular, can make the most of these opportunities. Also, due to COVID, many internships are still run virtually, thus making it possible for students to apply to programs outside of their state. Hurry and apply to them before they fill up!

 

Internships with Cultural Institutions

 

Smithsonian Internships

About the Institution: The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Originally founded in 1846, it houses 19 museums and the National Zoo. The prestigious Smithsonian museums help educate and share resources with the general public while preserving certain heritages and histories.

About the Internship: The Smithsonian offers a variety of internships ranging from interning with the Natural History Museum to the Smithsonian Libraries to the American Art Museum and so forth. Each application is managed and processed separately by its own unit. We have provided examples of some Smithsonian internships with approaching deadlines below. To look at their complete list of offerings, visit the official Smithsonian page on Smithsonian Internships: Mentor-Based Learning Opportunities. However, while browsing these options, keep in mind that they are not opportunities limited to highschool students, but offered to undergraduate and graduate students as well. Make sure to check the eligibility requirements.

 

Richard Louie Memorial Internship for High School Students

https://asia.si.edu/research/fellowships-internships/richardlouie/

Dates: Fall Semester

Application Deadline: 15 August 2021

The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is the Smithsonian’s museum of Asian art. High schoolers who intern here are introduced to Asian art. Interns undertake independent projects within a departmental area of interest. In addition, interns will be included in other museum activities.

 

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Internship

https://smithsonianapa.org/internships/

Dates: Fall 2021 (September to December)

Application Deadline: 18 June 2021

This internship will run virtually for the fall of 2021. The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is a migratory museum bringing Asian Pacific American history, art and culture to you through innovative museum experiences online and throughout the United States. The internship program will allow students to learn through direct exchanges with  artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners.  

 

National Museum of the American Indian Internship 

https://americanindian.si.edu/connect/internships

Dates: Fall; Starting September

Application Deadline: 6 July 2021

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) Internship provides educational opportunities for students interested in the museum profession and related fields. Students learn about the museum's collections, exhibitions, programs, and methodologies, and to meet professionals in the museum field. There may be limited virtual internships available in the fall of 2020. 

 

 

Washington Performing Arts Institution Internship 

About the Institution: Washington Performing Arts provides a platform to connect artists, audiences, students, and civic life. The institution’s achievements have been recognized with a National Medal of Arts and with three Mayor’s Arts Awards from the DC Government.

About the Internship: Washington Performing Arts offers motivated and creative highschool students hands-on exposure to all aspects of art management. The internship is personally tailored around each intern, allowing them to each explore art management, artists, and portfolio work in different ways.

Dates: Fall; August/ September to December: specific start and end dates determined individually 

Application Deadline: 27 June 2021

 

Internships in Science

 

NASA High School Internship Program

About the Institution: NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)  is the United States’

 independent agency for space exploration. Established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA studies Earth, the climate, the sun, our solar system, and beyond. We conduct research, testing, and development to advance aeronautics, including electric propulsion and supersonic flight. We develop and fund space technologies that will enable future exploration and benefit life on Earth.

About the Internship: NASA provides internship opportunities to students from high school to the graduate level.The programs provide students’ with research and experiential learning under a mentor in NASA, enhancing their learnings in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students are made a part of authentic projects, and are not required to have prior knowledge before applying to the internship (though it is always a bonus). 

Dates: Fall; Late August/early September, mid-December, 16 weeks

Application Deadline: 9 July 2021 

 

For more information on STEM related opportunities for your high schooler, make use of our STEM Research for High School Students Guide which lists over 1,000 internships, summer and school year programs, and research opportunities. 

 

Internships with the Government 

 

U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program

About the Institution: The United States Department of State, or State Department, is an executive departpartment of the U.S. federal government that takes care of the country’s foreign policy and international relations

About the Internship: The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Programs include the  Internship Experience Program (IEP)  and the  Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). Both programs provide students with opportunities to explore Federal careers. The IEP is a non temporary program wherein the internship lasts the length of the academic program for which the intern is enrolled. The ITEP is a temporary program wherein interns work during seasonal and holiday breaks in academic programs as well as year-round. Interns in this program are appointed to temporary appointments, not to exceed one year or their projected graduation date (whichever is shorter) and extensions may be made in one year increments. The positions to which the interns are appointed have no promotion potential, therefore, students must apply through USAJOBS to be considered for higher-graded positions. ITEP participants are not eligible for any other benefits until after conversion into the competitive service. To find out more about whether you met eligibility requirements and to see different dates to apply for, please contact Pathways@state.gov and visit https://careers.state.gov/work/pathways/internship-programs/. Dates and deadlines are flexible. 

 

 

Student Volunteer Trainee Program at Department of Education 

About the Institution: The United States Department of Education is responsible for providing educational resources and equal opportunities within the country to help promote student achievement. 

About the Internship: The volunteer program provides students with an opportunity to work with and contribute to education policy and administration. The opportunity allows students to strengthen skills in Human Resources Management, Training and Development, Data Analytics, Project Management, Education Policies, Grants Management, Communications, and Information Technology. 

Dates: Fall 2021

Application Deadline: 3 cut-off dates of June 11th, July 12th, and August 11th.

 

 

Internships with Nonprofit Organizations

 

United Planet Virtual Internship and VolunteerQuests

About the Institution: United Planet is a nonprofit organization located in Boston, Massachusetts that aims to create a global community. It connects volunteers with communities across the world to make a difference and engage with different cultures.  

About the Internship: The virtual internship program allows students to help connect with global communities through assisting the daily operations of the communities that they are working with. The tasks are tailored to the current needs of the organization and the skills of the volunteers. Tasks can surround areas related to health services, environmental sustainability, children and education, or community development. Application dates and deadlines are flexible. 

 

For additional insights, read:

Do High School Students Need a Focus?

Most Prestigious Summer Programs

Why Summer Jobs and Work Experience Matter When High School Students Apply to College

Meaningful Summer Activities that Enhance College Application

 

 

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Receive inside track information on college admissions process, high school and middle school planning, general pre-college guidance, and be the first to know about our events and announcements.

 

Students that are still looking for internship opportunities this summer, it is not too late to secure or create a meaningful opportunity. Given the shift to virtual platforms this year, students can certainly entertain more opportunities across the country and even across the world and do them from the comforts of their homes. However, finding an internship at the high school level can be challenging as recruiters look for more expertise and prefer hiring undergraduate students. But there still are places and ways to find internships as a high schooler. Below, we have provided a rundown of some resources you and your high school student can turn to to find an enriching summer internship for them, even at the last minute!

 

Online 

Checking online platforms and job posting sites is a quick and easy way to find different companies looking to hire high school interns and which companies might still have open job postings. Below are some of the most common and widely used platforms for internship searches. 

• Google

The easiest search option for internships is simply a google search. Go to your google search tab and put in "internship opportunities for high schoolers" or any other keyphrase that you would like. Google will put together a list of possible internships close to your location that might interest you. You can add filters and refine your search to further narrow down what opportunities you and your child are looking at. For example, this can be an industry preference, a location, or a role type.

• Linkedin 

Linkedin is one of the leading professional networking platforms today. Consider having your high school student create a Linkedin profile for themselves. This is an excellent way for them to begin building their professional network and finding opportunities. After creating their profile, students can go to the "jobs" tab on Linkedin and put "internships" in the search tab. Add additional filters such as 'high school' or 'remote' to find an opportunity better suited for you. If you come across an internship that interests you, go ahead and send in your application!

• Chegg 

Chegg is an educational company providing different services to students. This platform also provides a rundown of various internships that high schoolers can partake in. Find the right internship for your child by putting in the right keywords and your desired location if applicable. 

• Indeed

Indeed is an employment website used widely in the United States. Students can use this to find job listings even at the high school level. Similar to the previous sites, use keywords and filters to customize your search.

• Angel.co

This is a very large community of startup companies. There are a ton of internship postings here, primarily for working age professionals and college students, but a confident high school student can consider applying for some of the internships meant for college students - especially those that are non-paying. Students can filter by type of company, industry, job position, type of work, etc. to view opportunities that are available.

 

While the above options are some of the most popular platforms to search for high school internships, there are definitely others that you may come across. Feel free to explore opportunities on these sites as well, but be wary and check to make sure that it is a legitimate company/opportunity before proceeding. 

 

 

Close Circles

The most effective strategy for securing an internship for your child at the high school level would be to reach out to family members and close friends and express that your child is looking to engage in an internship over the summer. Given that family and friends are already familiar with your child and their academic standings, it might increase their chances of being willing to help. Similarly, your child might reach out to their teacher and counselors at school. Once again, these are people very familiar with your child, their interests, and their skill sets. 

 

In addition, if they cannot hire your child, you can always request these close contacts to pass the word along that your academically motivated high schooler is looking to do an internship over the summer. If you are put in touch with someone, don't immediately jump at asking them to hire your child. Instead, ask if they would be willing to talk to your child about the work they do. If the conversation goes well, then your child can then find out if they would be willing to hire a high school student for a summer internship. 

 

At the high school level, internships are a way for students to get a taste for different professions, see how they work, and decide if these are areas that interest them. In this light, high schoolers don't necessarily have to look for formal and intense internships. In your request to family and friends, you can ask whether it would be possible for your high schooler to job shadow. For example, if your child's aunt works at a hospital, you can ask if it would be possible for them to go to the hospital and closely watch the type of work that they do there. This might even be easier to do given our switch to increased virtual platforms. For example, if your neighbor runs a business, you can ask if your child can sit in on some virtual meetings to learn about the work they do and get a sense of the work environment. These types of internships are easy to do while simultaneously rewarding in giving your child an understanding of these different occupations. Even in job shadowing, the employer might decide to give your high schooler different tasks, depending on the need.

 

 

Local Businesses

High school students should reach out to local businesses to see whether they can work part-time with them. Students can directly contact businesses via email or phone to see if the company would need an intern over the summer. However, with this route, be sure that the student has already formulated an internship plan before reaching out to the organization. High school students are not always seen as a priority for existing positions, and they may not be viewed as particularly useful. Therefore, it is important that the student does proper research and planning before reaching out and be able to make a clear case as to how they can help the business. For example, students skilled in art and design can offer to make posters and banners for the business. Students with coding and technical skills can offer to help in IT. Every business is looking to implement digital marketing, and students that are familiar with social media can make a strong case. Students should make their value proposition clear, so that the internship is not just about helping a high school student gain experience, but it is about the business getting valuable work done. 

If you would like to speak to one of our advisors about summer planning, book a time with us here to learn about how Versed can help.

 

Other options to consider for summer 2021:

Entrepreneurship Opportunities for High School Students

Virtual Internships for High School Students

Best of Online Learning - University Classes

 

 

 

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