What to do this summer

Last April I wrote about some of the things a student can do over the summer (http://bit.ly/1OyyW55), including traveling, volunteering, working, or learning something new just for the fun of it.  All of those things are still good ideas, and I hope some students will take advantage of those opportunities, not just for their college resume, but for their intrinsic value.

However, you can also get an idea of college life by signing up for a summer class or program.  Most colleges and universities have summer programs, and you can usually find them by just searching for summer programs on the school's website. But as we get notice of summer opportunities in our office, we will also post some of the most interesting (in our opinion) on the blog.  If students are interested in pursuing one of these programs, we hope they will consider an experience that might take them a little out of their comfort zone.

For example, the University of Chicago is offering some really cool summer programs like Stones and Bones, a four week intensive practicum in paleontology taught by the Field Museum's Distinguished Service Curator, Lance Grande.  Another option is the Arts and Sciences Summer in Chicago, a 3 week interdisciplinary program that encompasses science, humanities, and the social sciences. More information can be found at http://summer.uchicago.edu/ .  Limited scholarships are available.

St. John's College has a unique summer program that mirrors their unique personality.  Organized in one week sessions that are held on either their Annapolis or Santa Fe campus, "students read and discuss a selection of texts from some of the most important works of Western culture."  For more information, visit http://www.sjc.edu/admissions-and-aid/summer-academy/.

And Smith College has outstanding summer programs for girls interested in engineering, writing, and women's history.  Forget that Smith is a women's college; this is a summer program designed just for girls and worth checking out.  They also offer a sustainable futures field studies course for girls who are environmentally conscious.  For more information, visit http://smith.edu/summer/.

Yes, many if not most of these programs are pretty expensive, but as I said, they also typically offer at least some financial aid.

As I said in my original piece, I really do believe students should spend at least some of their summer just relaxing, but it's always a good idea to stretch yourself a little too.  The opportunities are endless, so use your imagination and think about what might work for you!