by David H. N., PhD The transition between 8th grade and high school is big time of change for teens, which is why the summer before 9th grade is the perfect time to start making behavioral changes that set you up for growth. As humans, we behave according to what we believe. If you don’t believe that you can learn something new, improve at something, or be good at something,
by Diane N. Starting your first internship or research project can be both thrilling and daunting. Here are three essential tips to help you make the most of this opportunity and set yourself up for success. Understand the Dress Code and Safety Procedures First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand the dress code and safety procedures of your lab environment. In a wet lab, where we analyze and test biological
by Hanan R. While at Stanford during summer break, I got the sense that there were more high schoolers than adults roaming around campus. This was a real head-scratcher for me, but the process of assembling research for this article has been illuminating. The suite of summer programs that Stanford offers is huge. Because of the sheer number of opportunities and my own background as a medical trainee, I have
by Justin B. The possibilities of summer are endless and can include academic enrichment, international travel, volunteering, paid jobs, internships, overnight camps or leadership training. While there isn’t necessarily a “right” or “wrong” program or opportunity to select for the summer, what matters is to plan an experience that is engaging & rewarding. College admissions officers love to see a deep commitment to your personal passions. So when considering academic
by Justin B. For high school students, finding a job can be tough! Most find themselves working at a restaurant, retail store or movie theater, and while these jobs can be worthwhile, many students are looking for opportunities that are better aligned with their future career aspirations. Unfortunately, most entry-level paid employment opportunities in STEM, law and other pathways have advanced training and certification requirements that a typical 16 or
by Shiv G. While it may be tempting to spend these months doing nothing but lounging by the pool or binging on TV shows, actively investing in personal development during summers between high school can lead to long-lasting benefits. In this blog post, I’ll discuss the significance of personal growth during high school summers and provide practical strategies to accomplish it. 1. Self-Reflection and Goal Setting To embark on a
by Tony T. Summer is coming up soon, and what you do in summer may help you in many perspectives and also help you get into colleges. Thinking about finding a job, being a volunteer or doing some research this summer? There are many summer jobs high school students can do. Some popular high school summer jobs include swimming lessons instructor, lifeguarding, pool cleaning, starting a blog, tutoring, babysitting, pet
by Sarah M. As your junior year draws to a close, college applications are probably an undeniable, crucial, anxiety-inducing task that you plan to start… soon. But summer begins, and December starts to seem very far off. The task of writing can seem overwhelming, and it can be all too easy to push those essays back to the end of the summer, or the fall, or even beyond. Here are
by Tony T. Summer is a critical time for college applicants because it offers you a unique opportunity to take advantage of your free time and work on your application materials and to explore colleges. Here are a few reasons why: During the summer, you have the chance to reflect on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal experiences. You can use this time to plan and strategize how you want
by Albert L. As the application season is nearing its end for most schools, I want to congratulate this year’s seniors for going through the gauntlet of essay writing. It’s been a pleasure guiding our EssayNarwhals with writing and story principles to show the diversity in values and experiences I know many colleges will deeply connect with. But as one class’s college application journey is about to end, another is
by Albert L. It’s that time – when finals have just finished and you’ve heard the triumphant ringing of the last bell for the school year. The rising temperatures are beckoning you to soak up some sunshine and it’s your chance to reshape the mush that is your brain from all that studying. After a long year, you probably deserve a much-needed break. However, as tempting as it might be
Thinking about pursuing science in the future at a top college? Want to spend your summer studying topics like bioengineering or robotics? COSMOS may be the summer program for you! During COSMOS, students spend 4 weeks on a UC campus working on a STEM-related subject of their interest. Students may choose to apply for this program at a campus like UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, or UC Santa
