Specific College News & Notes: UMD, College Park

A good number of the RHS Class of 2016 have applied to the University of Maryland, College Park, and there is an interesting element to their application system that has raised some questions. Some students have checked their application status and it appeared that the application was incomplete, even though our Naviance e-docs system shows the completed uploads.

Given this situation, I held a conference call with our UMD admissions representative and discovered the following:
1.  UMD has an internal document upload program.  They also accept document uploads from Naviance e-docs and a number of other programs, all of which are equally acceptable.
2.  When documents are uploaded from any program other than the UMD internal program, the student record may show that the documents are 'not received.' However, scrolling further down in the record should show that the documents are there, as would a phone call to admissions.
3.  Another aspect of their system to note is that when UMD pulls applications to review, the 'completed' date in their system changes.
4.  I reviewed every Priority application with our representative to assure that each application was indeed complete and being considered in the Priority pool, and that is confirmed!

Basically, please ask if you have any questions but this should clarify any confusion about the UMD application. Best of luck to all applicants!

Links to Summer Programs

This is just an overview; there are MANY other programs out there so feel free to continue exploring. Some of these programs have already opened their application process for summer of 2016 and others won’t begin until January.  Please do not wait to explore your interest!

Summer Programs for High School Students on College Campuses

These cover a wide range of disciplines (humanities, arts, sciences, etc.). Follow the link and review for details.

http://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/top-summer-pre-college-programs/1761/

http://www.brown.edu/academics/pre-college/

http://summersession.duke.edu/high-school-students/summer-college-for-high-school-students

http://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-students

http://scs.georgetown.edu/departments/21/summer-programs-for-high-school-students/

http://miami.edu/dcie/index.php/ssp

https://www.sce.cornell.edu/sc/

http://summersession.duke.edu/high-school-students/summer-college-for-high-school-students

http://www.bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/

http://summer.uchicago.edu/high-school

http://www.summer.ucla.edu/ushsstudent

http://summer.berkeley.edu/student-types/high-school-students

http://www.brandeis.edu/highschool/

http://www.nyu.edu/admissions/high-school-programs/precollege.html

Summer Programs for High School Students for Travel/Service

https://www.experiencegla.com/

http://ngstudentexpeditions.com/

http://rusticpathways.com/

http://www.afsusa.org/study-abroad/summer-abroad/

http://www.goabroad.com/highschool-study-abroad

https://www.theroadlesstraveled.com/summer-service-programs

http://goputney.com/

Summer Programs for High School Students for Theater/Music

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/extracurricular/tp/summer-programs-performing-arts.htm

http://camp.interlochen.org/high-school-theatre-summer-programs

http://www.drama.cmu.edu/32

http://summer.yale.edu/find-your-program/drama/summer-conservatory-actors

https://www.berklee.edu/summer

http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/summer

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/extracurricular/tp/summer-programs-music.htm

http://www.juilliard.edu/youth-adult-programs/summer-programs

http://www.studenteducationprograms.com/music/

Summer Programs for High School Students for Science/Medicine

http://www.jkcp.com/program/penn-medicine-summer-program-for-high-school-students.php

http://www.envisionexperience.com/explore-our-programs/nylf-medicine

http://www.cpet.ufl.edu/students/sstp/

http://www.bu.edu/summer/high-school-programs/academic-immersion/medicine.shtml

Summer Programs for High School Students for Business

https://www.sce.cornell.edu/sc/programs/index.php?v=166

https://www.nyu.edu/employees/life-wellness/family-care/child-care/summer-camp/business-entrepreneurship-summer-camps.html

https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/pre-college-programs/

http://ce.columbia.edu/high-school/nyc/junior-senior-courses/introduction-business-finance-and-economics

http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/BBA/Academics/Summer-High-School-Programs

http://scs.georgetown.edu/programs/108/fundamentals-of-business-leadership-in-a-global-economy/

http://ufyoungentrepreneurs.org/

What should I do for the summer??

This is an excellent question! What you do with your summer – and how you articulate that to the colleges – can be an extremely valuable aspect of a student’s overall application “package.” There are a few important points to understand as you proceed:

It is highly recommended that you use the summer to do something with meaning, intent and interest! Some of the excellent options include:

1. Work! Holding down a job shows responsibility and is a great way to build your resume, especially if you can progress in the position.  (By the way, working as a Camp Counselor IS a job, and an excellent one at that.)
2. Take classes. Yes, you can take classes through a variety of summer programs on college campuses but you can also take online courses, FLVS high school courses, or enroll for one or two classes at Palm Beach State College.
3. Volunteer. You can make a difference in your local community or even travel to participate in a service opportunity, such as Habitat for Humanity.
4. Travel. Travel can be fun as well as a learning experience.  You can plan a range of destinations, including visits to college campuses that you may be interested in learning more about.
5. Camp. Students who have a strong desire to continue attending their beloved summer camp can absolutely still do so as part of a meaningful summer experience.
6. Enrichment Programs. These can range from academic interests to recreational ones; can take place on college campuses or the side of a mountain. See the next post for link(s) to specific details about each program, including application requirements, deadlines and costs. 

Don’t forget that a little down time is a good thing!  It is ok to spend some time with friends, go to the beach and sleep in; however, if these things become your entire summer you have lost a valuable opportunity.

Just because a summer program has a high sticker price does not mean it is the best summer option.  Colleges are well aware that those amazing summer programs are not an option for everyone due to the cost or other obligations, so they are not required or even recommended for admission. However, note that if attending one of these valuable programs is of interest to you but cost is a concern, some of them do offer scholarships or other discounts.

Keep in mind that whatever you do, take notes or keep some kind of journal or record of your experiences.  This could lead to a truly meaningful and interesting college essay.

Enjoy your explorations!