Tip for expanding outside of your high school curriculum: Don’t be afraid to take enrichment courses outside of your school’s curriculum. Consider taking a class at a community college, a summer acceleration or enrichment course, a MOOCS course -massive open online classes – at https://www.mooc.org/ or https://www.coursera.org/ or study a language or other interesting subject independently. Colleges like to see students with initiative who think outside the box. Remember, you will never be penalized if your high school doesn’t offer Advanced Placement or other challenging courses.
Summer Enrichment: Do something enriching during your summers, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter, vet office, food pantry, local organization, political campaign
- Ask your parents/neighbors if they have friends/business associates who can offer you an unpaid internship (or paid if you’re very lucky) in a field of interest to you
- Get a job – if you’re interested in a future business career, any customer service experience in the retail/hospitality/service industry would be helpful
- Conduct research at a local college/university – reach out to professors for interests similar to your own
- Consider pre-college and other summer programs; many of the fee-based programs offer scholarships
Education+ College Advising 