Years ago, during my Ph.D. program, I spent a summer teaching for a fancy, expensive college prep program for high school students. Offering pre-college summer enrichment, high schoolers stayed on campus in now-empty dorms, sampled a few college-level courses, and took fun weekend excursions. They were exposed to interesting courses beyond those offered in high school, fostered their ever-growing sense of independence, connected with like-minded peers, and sampled college life, and of course, parents were firmly on board for continued learning and college exploration at an “elite” university.

I taught an Introduction to Psychology course. Over the course of 4 weeks, we explored the brain, the iconic theories of Sigmund Freud, psychological disorders, and the whole gamut. It was virtually the same course that my college Freshman and Sophomores took with a much shorter timeline. All in all, it was a great experience for myself and the students. I kept in touch with a few of them. Some fell in love with Michigan and later enrolled in the Freshman class. Others went to college elsewhere.

Here’s Where the “But” Comes In

A time-honored first day of class ritual includes a round of introductions. As students disclosed their names and cities of origin, it wasn’t too hard to pinpoint that they were from relatively affluent areas. I’m not knocking anyone for their personal background. Of course, parents would willingly contribute disposable income towards a valuable pre-college experience. But I did reflect on students whose parents would have been financially burdened by footing the bill for an expensive summer program. Like own parents when I was a teenager. And then I went on to deliver the course material as I was contracted to do.

A few days ago, I was scrolling through Instagram and came across a post that was geared towards how stretched-thin single mothers could line-item budget to send their kids off to “elite summer programs.” You know, those with the thick, glossy brochures, affiliated with our country’s most selective colleges, and expensive price tag for tuition. Like the one I once taught for.

I worry about parents who feel as if an expensive summer program is the only viable option to prepare their kids for college and feel undue pressure to break the bank to do so. (Side note: It is not). I’ve also come to learn that, these pricey summer programs are not a wholesale advantage in college admissions, which parents may assume that they are.

Worthwhile Summer Experiences

A rich, productive, worthwhile summer experience doesn’t only exist on an elite college campus. I’m somewhat hyped about this topic after completing my latest course towards my Independent Educational Consulting certificate. We explored summer activities, program options, and creative ideas to help prepare high schoolers for college. How are summers best spent while preparing to launch off to college? Two area of emphasis: Skill building and career exploration. Certainly, these experiences can take place in the context of a structured on-campus summer program, but it does not have to!

Numerous skills are furthered in college, highly attractive to employers, and engaged throughout careers. A short list may include: Communication, leadership and teamwork, professionalism, and problem-solving skills. What local opportunities are available that can further your student’s skills in one of these areas? Could it include paid work, community service, an internship? Yes, of course.

Career exploration is a second area of focus. It is not unusual for high schoolers to have a long list of potential career interests. Sometimes zeroing in on what you want to do is a trial and error process. Is your student interested in business? Teaching? History? Sports? Some other area? What local opportunities where your student can work or volunteer alongside current professionals? Literally see what a “day in the life” entails in their field of interest? Summer activities like these give invaluable information on whether a career path is truly the right one for them.

Summer break is an excellent time to engage in extracurricular activities, which colleges examine when selecting applicants for admission. It is mostly immaterial whether your student attended an “elite” college prep summer program. What matters most is that your student has invested time in developing attractive skills and interests beyond the classroom.

Look in your own backyard. Very likely, there are many worthwhile summer activity options to choose from that serve as incredibly valuable pre-college enrichment and work favorably toward college admissions.