<p data-block-key="jktkm">This information is shared by Duke University, but mirrors the advice of our College Counselors!</p><p data-block-key="ci7n6">Are your students asking how they can best spend their time in the summer? Summer can be a great time for students to take advantage of free time and broaden their skill set. Many frequently ask about what the “perfect” summer schedule looks like to an admissions officer. To help you navigate these conversations, here are some common myths and our true views of various summer experiences.</p><p data-block-key="fevv0"><b>Myth #1: Attending a prestigious or university-based summer program gives students an admissions edge.</b></p><p data-block-key="bsh87"><b>The Reality:</b> While university-hosted programs (including Duke pre-college camps) offer fantastic academic enrichment and a taste of campus life, attending one does not grant an advantage in our selection process. We review applications contextually and understand that high-cost programs are not accessible to all families. We look at what a student has gained from the experience.</p><p data-block-key="32v43"><b>Myth #2: Students need a formal research or lab internship to stand out in a STEM-related field.</b></p><p data-block-key="etmbh"><b>The Reality</b>: Securing a spot in a university research lab as a high school student can be a reflection of a student’s network rather than their merit. If a student lands one, that is great; but if they don’t, it will not hurt them in our process. We value self-directed curiosity. A student who spends their summer independently learning a coding language, or researching a local environmental issue, can show just as much intellectual spark as a formal research or lab internship.</p><p data-block-key="enkbh"><b>Myth #3: International “voluntourism” trips look impressive on a resume.</b></p><p data-block-key="9m788"><b>The Reality</b>: High-cost, short-term international service trips can come across as performative rather than deeply impactful. We are often more impressed with sustained, localized impact. How is the student improving their community? Again, we are more focused on what a student has gained and how they plan to use that to impact the community around them.</p><p data-block-key="15h5o"><b>Myth #4: Standard summer jobs are “wasted” time.</b></p><p data-block-key="7lt4g"><b>The Reality</b>: Quite the opposite! We love it when students share their summer job experiences! Working teaches accountability, time management, teamwork, and conflict resolution. For students who work to support their families and/or save for college, that context is incredibly important for admissions officers to understand. For others, it may showcase their willingness to step outside their comfort zone and gain real-world experience. Encourage students to highlight these roles.</p><p data-block-key="4t7hu">The bottom line? There is no single “correct” way to spend time in the summer. No matter what students choose to do, we want to see engagement, growth, and authenticity.</p>
