Summer is a fantastic opportunity for teens to explore their interests, develop skills, and take meaningful steps toward their future. However, when it comes to college admissions, many parents wonder: what really matters? The key is helping your teen engage in activities that showcase authenticity, depth, and initiative. Here’s how:

Focus on Authenticity

Colleges value students who pursue activities that genuinely align with their passions and interests. Authenticity makes their applications stand out and gives them a stronger sense of purpose.

• Encourage True Interests: Help your teen identify activities they love, not what they think will impress admissions officers.
• Example: If your teen loves cooking, they could volunteer at a local food bank or organize a neighborhood bake sale to support a cause they care about.
• Avoid Overloading: Authentic engagement matters more than a long list of activities.

Show Depth Over Breadth

Colleges appreciate sustained involvement and growth in a few key areas rather than surface-level participation in many. Depth demonstrates commitment and passion.

• Focus on Long-Term Projects: Encourage your teen to stick with an activity over multiple summers to show dedication.
• Example: A STEM-focused student could join a robotics club and work on building a competition-ready robot over several weeks or summers.
• Celebrate Progress: Help them reflect on what they’ve learned and how they’ve improved.

Highlight Initiative

Admissions officers value leadership and self-driven projects that showcase a student’s ability to take the lead and make an impact.

• Encourage Leadership Roles: Your teen could organize a fundraiser, lead a community service project, or start a club around a shared interest.
• Example: Starting a book drive for underserved schools highlights both initiative and community impact.
• Document Impact: Help them quantify their efforts, like the number of people they helped or funds they raised.



Final Thoughts

When planning summer activities, prioritize authenticity, depth, and initiative. Not only will this strengthen your teen’s college application, but it will also help them grow personally and prepare for a successful future.