Summer Planning Toolkit

$10

Access 100+ summer programs, plan meaningful experiences on any budget, and answer What did you do your summers? with confidence.

@ScholarHackSis

This Toolkit is For You If You're Looking To:

Make every summer count toward your student's college applications

Access a database of 100+ summer programs (free to paid options!)

Find affordable summer opportunities on ANY budget ($0-$500+)

Help your student apply to competitive summer programs strategically

Create meaningful DIY summer experiences without expensive camps

Plan college visits efficiently and affordably

Answer What did you do your summers? confidently on applications

Stop wasting summers and start building competitive college apps

What's Inside

Organized by category:

  • STEM Programs (engineering, coding, research, math, science)

  • Arts Programs (music, theater, visual arts, creative writing)

  • Leadership Programs (government, business, entrepreneurship)

  • Service Programs (community service, social justice, international)

  • Academic Enrichment (debate, writing, humanities, languages)

For each program:

  • ✅ Program name and description

  • ✅ Who it's for (grade level, GPA, interests)

  • ✅ Cost range (FREE to $$$)

  • ✅ Application deadline

  • ✅ Competitiveness level

  • ✅ Website/contact info

💰 Budget-Friendly Summer Ideas ($0-$500)

  • FREE online courses (Stanford, MIT, Harvard MOOCs)

  • Library programs and workshops

  • Local community college classes ($100-$300)

  • Free museum programs

  • Virtual internships

  • Community volunteering*

  • Self-directed projects

🎯 Competitive Summer Program Application Strategy

  • Which programs are most impressive to colleges

  • How to write winning program applications

  • When to apply (many deadlines are January-March!)* What to do if you don't get in

🛠️ DIY Summer Program Creator

  • Can't afford expensive programs? CREATE YOUR OWN!

  • How to design a meaningful summer project

  • Examples: Research project, community initiative, business startup, creativeportfolio

  • How to document your project for applications

📅 Summer Schedule Templates

  • How to structure a productive summer

  • Balancing multiple activities

  • Week-by-week planning

  • Avoiding burnout

🗓️ Summer Application Timeline Tracker

  • Track program deadlines (many in winter/early spring!)

  • Application requirements checklist

  • Recommendation letter requests

  • Decision dates

🏫 College Visit Planning Guide

  • How to plan efficient college road trips

  • What to look for on visits

  • Questions to ask

  • How to take useful notes

  • Virtual visit strategies (when you can't travel)

✅ Summer Planning Checklists by Grade

After 9th Grade:

  • Explore interests widely

  • Try new activities* Build foundation skills * Local opportunities perfect!

After 10th Grade:

  • Go deeper in interests

  • Competitive programs (if accepted)

  • Intensive test prep

  • College visits begin (5-10 schools)

After 11th Grade:

  • Most important summer!

  • Highly selective programs OR meaningful projects

  • Application prep (essays, Common App)

  • Finalize college list

  • More college visits

Why Summers Matter:
College applications ask:

  • What did you do your summers?

  • List your summer activities from 9th-12th grade.

Colleges evaluate summer activities because:
✅ Shows initiative (you chose to do something productive)
✅ Demonstrates passion (you pursued interests even when not required)
✅ Builds skills (summers allow for deeper learning)
✅ Differentiates you (not everyone has strong summers)

Wasted summers = missed opportunities.
Productive summers = stronger applications.

Ready to hack your summers?

I got you!

Download Now