Madeleine Gertsen
Features Editor
Juniors are just beginning to think about this upcoming summer now that SAT’s are over, both participating in college prep programs and getting summer jobs. Whatever they are doing most juniors are making sure they keep busy by continuing to enrich themselves through academic and independent means. “I’m so glad SAT’s are over because it’s a huge weight off my shoulders,” junior Morgan Sturm said. “I can’t wait to start my summer job because it will be refreshing and fulfilling.”
Morgan will be working at the New Canaan Field Club this summer and considers the financial benefits of working. “Jobs help you to prepare for college by teaching you how to manage your time, work around a schedule, and be responsible and committed, along with preparing you for the future,” she said. “I wanted a job this summer to start making money for myself and to do something productive with my time.”
Not only does Morgan appreciate the financial benefits, but she also thinks that these new experiences and opportunities will prove important when she applies to colleges in the fall. “The summer in between junior and senior year is a great time span to create new opportunities for yourself that will enhance your college app when the next year rolls around,” she said. “It’s a great two months to take advantage of.”
Junior Thomas Karl has worked at Gelatissimo in New Canaan since last summer and will continue to work there this summer. “I like to learn through having a job and the experience that comes with it because it teaches me a lot about independence,” he said. “Jobs can help prepare you because you will be a part of the workforce later in life and this way you can know what it’s like to be on the other side of the counter.”
Juniors at NCHS are not only getting summer jobs to demonstrate their independence, but they are also participating in college prep programs to show their hard work ethic. Junior Lauren Joneja will be taking a course on marketing, advertising, and public relations at Columbia University’s Summer Program for High School Students. “I decided to apply to a summer program because I wanted to explore the fields of business and see if I could potentially be successful,” she said.
This program will not only help Lauren demonstrate her interest and knowledge in the business world, but also experience college life at the campus. “The great thing about summer programs is that they give students a chance to experience college life and meet kids from all over the world,” Lauren said. “Not to mention, summer programs show colleges that you can work at a college level and do well in a rigorous program.”
Lauren feels this experience will be especially helpful as the time of college applications approaches. “The independence that is coupled with these college programs allows students to really mature socially and mentally,” she said. “What you spend your summer doing can really round out your college resume and help colleges get a feel of who you really are.”
Similarly, Junior Osaze Wilson is attending a college summer program at the George Washington University Summer Institute in Washington D.C., where he will be learning the intricacies of American politics, focusing on political campaigns and the president’s first 100 days in office. “This program will help me more later in life and give me an insight for classes in the future,” Osaze said. “Also it’s doing something I enjoy: dealing with American politics.”
Students at this program are also taken to the nation’s most important buildings and will be sitting in on a congressional hearing. “All the while we are taken to our nation’s most important buildings and will be sitting in on a congressional hearing,” Osaze said.
Like Lauren, Osaze also feels summer programs can help with college applications. “In general if you are motivated to learn about a specific field and decide to take a summer course to deepen your interest, colleges will see that and value your effort,” he said. “You will be viewed as a driven, motivated individual who cares about their future.”
Junior Nicole McAleer will be attending Boston College’s Boston College Experience this summer, where she will earn college credit in a few classes while also participating in community service events. “I think that I’ll come back from this trip more prepared for college,” she said. “I decided to fill my summer with a program like this because I wanted to make sure that I did something productive over summer break.” She will be taking a communications class where she will explore the techniques and media used in the news, trade publications, advertising, local events and meetings.
Overall, many students participate in summer activities with the hopes of satisfying both personal and college-related ambitions. “I wanted to make sure that I did something that would be beneficial for college,” Nicole said. “I hope that they’ll see how dedicated I am to my school work and philanthropy.”
