From the Reader’s Desk
Your Student’s Summer Game Plan: What College Admission Officers Are Really Looking For
Good news, families — the most impressive summer isn’t the busiest one. Here’s how to make these next eight weeks really count.
Every June, families ask us some version of the same question: What should my student be doing right now to stand out? It’s a wonderful question, and we love that you’re thinking ahead! Between the two of us, we’ve spent more than thirty-six years reading scholarship files for one of the country’s most selective universities — and here’s what we can tell you with total confidence: the summers that read well are almost never the busiest ones. They’re the most meaningful ones.
So take a breath. Your student does not need to do twelve things this summer. They need to do one or two things that matter — and do them with heart. Let’s break down exactly what that looks like, plus a few important updates you’ll want to know about this year.
First, what’s new in 2026
This has been one of the busiest years in admissions news in a long time. You don’t need to track every headline — that’s our job! — but here are the few that actually matter for your family:
- FAFSA results are now instant. As of May 31, families who submit the FAFSA can see their Student Aid Index and federal aid eligibility right away, instead of waiting days. This is genuinely great news, and it’s a wonderful reason to file early rather than wait until the deadline!
- The admissions data conversation is still unfolding. In March, seventeen states sued the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule requiring colleges to report detailed applicant data. The takeaway for you is simple: colleges are being more careful than ever about how decisions are made and documented, which means a genuinely strong, well-rounded application matters more than ever.
- “Test-optional” is quietly becoming “test-preferred.” Many colleges still say scores are optional — but for competitive majors, honors programs, and merit scholarships, strong scores can really help. Think of testing as a tool: send scores where they strengthen the application, and skip them where they don’t.
- Legacy is fading; where you apply from matters more. At many selective schools, being the child of an alum is now closer to neutral than to an advantage. And for our California families, that means a local “brand-name” school is no longer a safety. A smart, well-balanced college list is essential.
That’s the landscape. Now for the part that has never changed.
The 5 things that make a student’s summer (and application) shine
When your student’s application reaches a committee, the reader presenting it has only a few minutes to advocate for them. A strong application hands that reader the argument. Here’s how your student builds one — starting this summer!
1. Go deep, not wide.
A student who pursues two or three genuine interests with real commitment is far more compelling than one who collects a dozen titles. We can always tell the difference between a true passion and a résumé line. Encourage your student to lean into what they actually love and stick with it — that’s where the magic happens.
2. Have a clear “why.”
The strongest applications don’t just show what a student did; they show where the interest came from and how it grew. Where did this curiosity start? What keeps your student coming back to it? That story of origin and growth is worth far more than prestige alone.
3. Show evidence, not adjectives.
“Passionate about research” doesn’t say much on its own. A published project, a real summer job, a club your student helped build, a tangible thing they made or led — that is what college admission officers remember. One meaningful, concrete experience by August is worth more than a long list of titles.
4. Keep the essay authentic (and human).
Here’s an important one for 2026: readers have grown sharply skeptical of essays that sound polished and say nothing. An AI-flavored essay is easy to spot and easy to forget. A grounded, specific, slightly imperfect story in your student’s real voice will win every time. Use these quiet summer weeks to brainstorm and rough-draft the personal statement, so the fall is calm revision instead of an October scramble.
5. Have the honest family conversations now.
Budget, distance from home, and what your family can realistically afford belong on the table before your student falls in love with an option that isn’t a fit. Having these conversations early — with warmth and honesty — sets your student up to build a list of schools they’ll genuinely be excited (and able) to attend.
Your summer action plan, by grade
Wherever your student is in their journey, here’s exactly where to put their energy over the next eight weeks. Find the grade that fits — and remember, a little progress now goes a long way!
Rising Seniors (Class of 2027)
- Brainstorm and rough-draft the main personal statement now, so the fall becomes calm revision instead of an October scramble.
- Finalize a balanced college list — reach, match, and true financial and admissions safeties your student would genuinely be happy to attend.
- Lock in any remaining testing plans, and gather activity details while they’re still fresh.
- Visit campuses (in person or virtually!) and jot down what excites your student about each one.
Rising Juniors
- Go deeper on one or two genuine interests — a job, project, research, or volunteer role that produces something real by August.
- Map out junior-year course rigor and a smart testing timeline.
- Start a simple “brag sheet” of accomplishments so nothing gets forgotten when application season arrives.
Rising 9th & 10th Graders
- Explore! This is the season to try new things, follow curiosity, and discover what truly lights your student up.
- Build strong study habits and a growth mindset — the foundation everything else is built on.
- Read widely, consider a summer job or volunteer role, and enjoy being a kid, too. There’s plenty of time ahead!
The bottom line
The best college isn’t the hardest one to get into — it’s the one where your student will thrive, grow, and be happy. And a great application can’t be manufactured in August; it’s built in the genuine, joyful choices your student is making right now. So use this summer for depth, for curiosity, and for a little rest, too. Your student has more potential than they know — and a meaningful summer is one of the best ways to unlock it!
Want a clear game plan before senior year?
We’d love to help. Schedule a complimentary 30-minute College Clarity Session and we’ll help you understand exactly where your student stands — and what to focus on next.
To Your Success,
Drs. Jeff and Brian Haig
Frequently Asked Questions
Do summer activities really matter for college admissions?
Yes — but depth matters far more than volume. One or two meaningful experiences pursued with real commitment carry more weight than a long list of shallow ones. Admission officers can tell the difference between a genuine interest and a résumé line.
Is a summer job good enough, or does my student need a prestigious program?
A meaningful summer job is genuinely respected by admission officers. It shows responsibility, maturity, and real-world experience, and it is not viewed as lesser than an expensive program. What matters most is that the experience is real and connects to who your student is.
Should my student submit test scores in 2026 if colleges are test-optional?
Treat testing strategically. Many colleges still call scores optional, but strong scores increasingly help for competitive majors, honors programs, and merit scholarships. Submit scores where they strengthen the application, and leave them off where they would not.
When should my student start their college essays?
The summer before senior year is the ideal time to brainstorm and rough-draft the main personal statement. Starting early turns the fall into a calm revision season rather than a stressful October sprint.
What changed with the FAFSA in 2026?
As of May 31, 2026, most families who submit the FAFSA now receive their Student Aid Index and federal aid eligibility in real time, instead of waiting one to three days. That makes filing early more worthwhile than ever.
About the Authors
This post was written by Drs. Jeff and Brian Haig of Strategic College Consulting. Both are current members of UCLA’s Scholarship Admissions Committee, where together they have spent more than thirty-six years reading the files that decide who gets in. Strategic College Consulting was founded by Dr. Jeff Haig to bring that committee-room perspective directly to students and families across Orange County and nationwide.
Strategic College Consulting · Irvine, California · 949.679.3333
