Thankfully, once students reach high school, they are no longer required to write the often painfully boring “what I did over my summer vacation” essay. But that doesn’t mean that what they choose to do over the summer isn’t important.

In fact, what students choose to do over their summer breaks has become an increasingly important factor in college admissions. Savvy students have recognized that their summer is a great time to explore interests, build skills, work, and demonstrate character strengths that colleges value.

One of the key components of any strong college application is how a student has set themselves apart from their peers. During the academic year, it can be challenging for students to distinguish themselves because every student at their high school has the same opportunities to take the same rigorous classes and participate in the same clubs, organizations, sports, and activities. So, summer jumps out as a great opportunity for a student to do something different than what everybody else at their high school is doing.

According to Lisa Bain Carlton, founder of ESM College MatchPoint, “whether a student is working a job, attending a pre-college program, or spending time at camp, what matters is that they are engaged, learning, and also getting space to rest. Colleges respond to summers that show balance, initiative, and reflection, but just as important, those experiences help students return to school more confident, grounded, and ready for what comes next.”

ESM College MatchPoint has a database of over 2,000 summer opportunities that can be filtered by location, grade level, major, and cost. The Summer MatchPoint directory (https://www.collegematchpoint.com/summer-programs)  includes academic programs, internships, service opportunities, research, creative projects, jobs, and self-directed experiences. Some opportunities are selective, and more than 200 of them have application deadlines in January or February for this coming summer.

The directory has jumped on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) bandwagon and now offers a set of unique AI tools designed to match students with opportunities, based on their interests, strengths, and goals. And, the best part of the Summer MatchPoint is that it is free to students, parents, and counselors.

Bain shared that “rather than scrolling through endless lists, students can use the AI Summer Planner to quickly identify experiences that truly fit, saving time and reducing stress for both students and parents.”

As you think ahead about summer planning, think of summer as an open canvas and then start filling it up with what’s important to you, as well as things you want to do and things you need to do. I usually suggest creating a patchwork quilt of different summer experiences. If possible, I think it is a good idea for students to pursue their academic interests in a college environment; this demonstrates intellectual curiosity, something that colleges value. Don’t be misled into believing that taking a course at “Selective U” guarantees an acceptance letter down the road. However, spending a week or two on campus and going into more depth in an area of interest will absolutely be helpful as a student tries to determine which colleges should remain on their list and which ones should be eliminated.

Empowering students to help plan their summer now is also a great way to get them engaged in the college admissions process. They might surprise you with their enthusiasm.

Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@bierercollegeconsulting.com; www.bierercollegeconsulting.com