To get into a good university, a student must not only possess a strong foundation, smart strategy, and endurance, but also plan out the 4 years of high school.
In the busy academic years of high school, the intermittent months of summer have no doubt become the golden opportunity to earn extra points on your college application. Students should make full use of their time outside the classroom to show their passions in life, concern for the world and their community, and their future goals and aspirations in order to shine amongst thousands of applicants.
There are thousands of summer camps and summer schools to choose from. Most parents and students feel overwhelmed and are at a loss when it comes to choosing the right activities. Here are a few important considerations for scheduling summer activities:
● Not all summer activities will add value to your application, but some activities can increase the student’s experience and stimulate his or her motivation for improvement.
● Most of the participating activities require a long-term commitment to truly highlight the student’s high level of interest and commitment.
● Many popular activities lack uniqueness because nearly every Chinese student does the same thing, but with some smart tweaks and adjustments, they can still be the central highlight of the application.
Smart and strategic guidance in choosing summer activities will help you successfully showcase your value on your application!
As we all know, most summer activities require a fee to participate, and the cost could be pretty substantial as well. But what is certain is that in recent years, various prestigious schools in the United States continue to advocate for equal rights to education at all levels of society. In other words, needlessly wasting money by buying activities may not necessarily be enough to achieve the desired results. There are many quality summer activities that are so competitive that they parallel the application process of prestigious schools. For many highly recognized students, summer activities can be free, and some programs even subsidize participating students.
Here are some examples:
● Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR): A rigorous 8-week medical laboratory-based internship program free of charge.
● MIT Summer Six-Week Mechanical Engineering and Science Summer Camp (MIT Minority to Engineering and Science) encourages minority students to participate.
● City of Hope Summer 10-week Biology Research program（City of Hope Eugene and Ruth Robert Summer Student academy): Participants can earn a $4000 stipend.
Join HS2 now, lots of activities to choose from for a vibrant application resume
HS2 Academy is an authorized organization to award the Presidential Volunteer Service Award by the White House. Participation in volunteer activities organized by us can accumulate the number of hours to meet the required standards. Upon reaching certain required standard, you can receive a congratulatory letter signed by the President of the United States, then Presidential Volunteer Service Award certificate and a medal.
Activity option 1: Extreme Passion for a Healthy World
This activity is to collect blood donations for people in need. Students can contribute to the world in the most direct way! (Must be over 16 years old). Did you know? The donation center will update you on who your blood was donated to. Think about how meaningful it is for a little effort to have a big impact in someone’s life. https://sleevesup.redcrossblood.org/campaign/test-group/
Many blood banks are facing blood shortages after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Quickly roll up your sleeves, donate a bag of blood, and save a life! Cultivating a sense of social responsibility begins with this step, you can do it! For more information, please contact HS2 Academy branches!
Activity option 2: A Day of Help, a Home for Life
This volunteer project consists of a one-day house build in Tijuana, Mexico. Students and parents don't have to pay. They just spend one day of their life to benefit a homeless family with a home. This is a great opportunity for students to build character. It not only increases the service experience of students, but fills it with meaning. With their own strength, they’re able to help people in need. Students do not need relevant experience. All arrangements take into account safety considerations!
The next event is on February 29th, with a transportation fee of $30 per person, please contact HS2 Academy branches in Southern California for details! Northern California similar activities in preparation!
Activity Option 3: Learn CPR, Save People Anytime, Anywhere
We partnered up with the American Red Cross for our CPR course. Through a day of training, students will learn basic first aid procedures and practice them repeatedly under the guidance of experts. Upon completion of the course, the student will be awarded with a Certificate of Completion from the American Red Cross.
The next course is at 10:00AM on February 15th at the Irvine branch. There is a cost of $120 per person, please contact HS2 Academy Irvine branch for details!
Activity Option 4: Gather Resources, Bring Love to Orphans
This is an orphanage on the U.S.-Mexico border, and HS2 has been providing supplies and gifts to these children for some time. This time, we will bring the students to the children and visit their learning and living environment. Like familiar strangers finally meeting for the first time, our students are filled with anticipation and excitement.
Next planned visit is on February 22nd. Transportation fee is $30 per person. Please contact various HS2 Academy SoCal branches for information!
Activity Option 5: CyberPal Project
HS2 has established the Cyberpals Club with many high schools outside the United States, and we have successfully connected students from miles away. Through weekly online video calls, students chat about language, schoolwork, culture, entertainment and even life trivia. A few hours a week broadens their perspectives and inspires more than just dreams. Students on both sides look forward to every week's Cyberpals activity, slowly weaving their vision of the future through this activity outside the class, and naturally inspiring more motivation to move forward. Perhaps one day these children will meet face-to-face in the future. We all look forward to such a day! For more information, please contact HS2 Academy branches!
Activity Option 6: Care for the World Global Volunteer
HS2 presents two weeks of overseas service programs with cultural groups in the summer. This experience allows students to gain an in-depth understanding of foreign culture and [1] . Students select their choice of community service based on their individual interests. This is a highly rated activity by students who have participated in the past. Some students even participate in the event year after year.
Join HS2 Academy now to earn a chance to participate for free. Spots are limited, and registration cut off is on April 15th!
For details, please contact HS2 Academy branches!
HS2 will present other volunteer activities in a timely schedule, and we encourage all HS2 Academy students to participate!