S3E3: How to Decide Junior Year Summer Activities

In this episode of the "Admittedly" podcast, former director of MBA admissions Thomas Caleel describes ways for high school Juniors to enjoy their summers in ways that will strengthen their upcoming college applications. He warns against common errors that students and their parents often make as they plan this crucial period in the college preparation process.

Summary of Key Points:

1. Remedial academics: Caleel describes when it is appropriate and when it is less advisable to re-take a course following the release of final grades for the school year.

2. Test Prep: Caleel advises students to begin studying and preparing for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. Though they are optional at many schools, taking and excelling at them continues to be crucial to admission. He does mention, though, that test prep and academic tutoring cannot fill the majority of summer.

3. Travels: Caleel advises families against global travels for the summer after Junior year. He emphasizes that this time needs to be spent doing productive work that will strengthen their upcoming college application. He further recommends against working around this advice through “volunteer” work while visiting families in developing countries.

4. What Then?: Caleel gives examples of options for students to flesh out their college application materials including internships in labs and businesses, catering summer camps to specific career goals, and even working at a fast-food or ice cream stand if needed. He reiterates the importance of a letter of recommendation from a senior employee who knows the student well, not just the person with the highest rank.

5. Develop College List: Caleel begins a discussion on the next step in choosing colleges and some of the actions a student can take towards understanding where they best fit for the next stage of academics. This includes touring, emailing the school, and what type of applications to submit/whether early decision is a good fit.

As students bridge the gap between school years, Thomas Caleel gives his advice on many possible options for summertime activities. Students should orient their time around what will further their preparedness and eventual application strength, as coming in strong is essential. Join Thomas's next episode to explore advice on how to build a college list that is the best fit for that individual student’s future.

About Thomas Caleel

Thomas is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania. After earning his MBA at the Wharton School of Business in 2003, he moved to Silicon Valley. For three years, he was Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton. He worked closely with admissions professionals, students, alumni, and professors to curate the best possible MBA class. Thomas has been an entrepreneur his entire life in the fields of finance, agriculture, wellness, and sporting goods. As the founder of Global Education Opportunities LLC, he works as a high-level admissions advisor to help families and students achieve their education goals. Thomas started the podcast Admittedly because he is passionate about demystifying the application process for all parents and applicants.

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