How Students Can Use Summer to Unlock Opportunities

Imagine entering college knowing you belong here! Sounds like a dream, right?

Well, the reality is, for many students, it's an achievable goal. They plan, put in the smart work, and get accepted to their dream college! This is exactly what happened with University Connection’s 2025 batch, who made it into some incredible colleges like Purdue University, Indiana University, University of Manchester, UMass Amherst, St. George’s University of Medicine, Rochester Institute of Technology and many more in their early rounds, bagging over a million dollars in scholarships.

But how did they do it you ask?

The answer lies in profile building (Other than academic grades, of course)!

While you’re sipping on a cool mocktail on a bright sunny day during your summer vacation, someone else might be diving into a summer school program, completing an internship, conducting research with a professor, or even filing a patent!

Today, universities are looking for visionary leaders—students who excel academically, and build a standout profile by making the most of every opportunity coming their way. Summers not only come with the beautiful golden hours but also, the golden opportunity for you to take a break and use that time efficiently to build new skills and learn things that are not taught in schools.

While good academic scores will get you admission into your dream college, a more holistic approach will broaden your horizons beyond books. It’s the perfect time to unwind and discover new passions; whether it’s volunteering for a cause you care about, picking up a new instrument, or traversing the world of coding.

Here’s how you can be consistent throughout your high school, make your application stand out and have a meaningful journey :

1. Internships

Network is Net Worth! - it’s likely something you’ve already heard. But what does it mean?

Does it mean, you need to approach people or mindlessly scroll through LinkedIn?

Well, it means going into the field and meeting professionals and mentors who share the same interests as you. Internships allow you to gain real-world experience, increase your confidence, and develop transferable skills that employers are looking for..

By pursuing internships, you can exhibit your ambitions, skill set, and proactive attitude- things that colleges are interested in. Moreover, it convinces the admissions committee that you are actively pursuing growth and self-improvement.

Internships are more than just filling a spot on your application, they help you define your identity, enhance your abilities, and get you ready for the exciting opportunities that are ahead of you in your college and your career.

2. Summer Schools:

A 7-15 days residential program organized by universities allows you to immerse yourself into different challenges, and interact with different people from different backgrounds, which helps you in broadening your perspective. Summer schools (Both in India and abroad) offer a diverse environment that can help you build critical skills such as time management, communication skills, and thought-provoking interactions which allow you to think independently- which plays a huge role in your college experience.

This change is inevitable and you get a sneak peek into what college feels like. So after one or two weeks, you’ll return, but not the way you left- as is described by one of our students at University Connection.

3. Research Program

Research programs and opportunities available to high school students provide a blend of intellectual vitality, creative thinking, and personal growth, which helps students gain a hyper-competitive edge- both academically and personally. The team at RISE are the best people to help to guide you further on this.

Studies have shown that participation in research programs not only provides you an edge over other students, but also is truly a transformative experience that demonstrates a commitment to learning, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to take on challenging tasks.

4. Passion Projects

There is always something in life that you’re passionate about- something that gives you the kick and contributes significantly to your personal as well as academic growth. Colleges look out for students who are not just academically inclined but are also self-driven and take initiative. Leading a passion project shows that a student can prioritize and balance time effectively, and possess leadership skills, providing a clear picture of who you are apart from your tests and scores- which serves as a testament to your personal statement.

These projects serve a bigger purpose than just getting admission to your dream college. They give colleges a better sense of how a student has grown and what a student’s potential is beyond the classroom.

5. Community Service

For a second, let’s step into the shoes of the admissions committee. Now, what would you see in a student before you give them admission into your college? Apart from good grades and skill-set, would you not want them to be a responsible and conscious citizen?

Colleges look out for students who are actively contributing to society and are socially conscious and compassionate rather than just being academically inclined.

Pro-tip: “Long-term over short-term” - Instead of jumping on a bandwagon and finding 500 places to volunteer, focus on the impact you are creating in society because colleges seek values in people that community service has curated over the quantity of service you’ve done.

Conclusion

In today’s application criteria, colleges look for quality over quantity and seek students who are leaders and empaths in their own sense. Your profile shows your unique talents, strengths, skills, passions, and experiences which sets you apart from the rest. Whether it’s through summer schools, internships, community service, personal projects, or leadership roles you’ve played, your profile showcases your journey that will help you thrive on the campus.

At University Connection, we help students build their profile by offering various services through a thoroughly researched, highly personalized, and focused mentoring process.