Document Your Summer to Strengthen Your College Applications

While your academic performance is one of the most important parts of your application, your Personal Statement and Activities section help admissions officers understand who you are beyond the classroom.

Whether you are in 9th grade or a rising 12th grader, taking time to document your summer now can make writing your college applications easier and stronger. Having a well-rounded, documented record of each of your summers makes it easier to include meaningful descriptions in your college applications instead of relying on vague memories.

To stay organized, create two different resources, a tracking sheet and a reflective journal.

Central Tracking Sheet

Use a tracking sheet to keep a record of the facts. 

• Document your roles, responsibilities, projects, and accomplishments throughout the summer.

• Record any new skills you’ve learned or existing skills you’ve strengthened. Include measurable results, such as hours volunteered, money raised, projects completed, or any other impact you made through a job, internship, volunteer position, or summer program.

• Save certificates, awards, photos, and any other documentation of your experiences. While these items may not all be submitted with your applications, they can help you accurately remember what you achieved.

Reflective Journal

• Use this journal to capture your feelings during different experiences. Write about challenges you faced, what you learned, and how you grew.

• Record meaningful conversations, especially if they helped change your perspective. Don’t be afraid to include small details and sensory observations while they’re still fresh in your mind. Those details can become the most memorable parts of a compelling Personal Statement.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about college admissions, please visitExcelsioradmissions.com or clickhere to schedule a free 30-minute consultation to learn how I can help with your college admissions process.