How to Write Essays for Summer Programs
by Kathleen M.
Are you a high school student who is considering applying to a summer program? Here are a few things to think about as you write your essays for whichever summer program you are applying to.
Consider the question.
This seems simple but you have to address the prompt being asked. The people who are deciding if you participate want to know something about you and why you want to join their summer program.
Why do you want to study programming or carbon dating or financial knowledge over the summer? How would your interest or past experiences have supported you towards that subject?
Be specific.
You don’t want to use the exact same essay for all programs. You want to read a little about each program you are applying to and use that information in your essay to make your response specific.
Values.
Who are you? What makes you ‘you’?
Consider what value you want to highlight about yourself and then use that to focus your response. There are so many ways to describe yourself that you should spend a little time on this in order to choose the one value that best represents you.
Tell a story.
Choose an example that represents your value and the program you are applying to and tell that story as the body of your essay.
You will need to be specific and focused and really show who you are and why you would be a good candidate.
Revise.
The first version of your essay will not likely be the one you send in.
Give yourself time to think, brainstorm, write, and revise. Have a family member or two read your draft and then revise. You can use computer tools to correct sentence level errors, but revision offers you the opportunity to really see your idea again and make sure it is clearly communicated.
Have fun.
You are a smart and interesting person. Take time to present this version of yourself and not as whoever you think the summer program you are applying to will want to include.
You are amazing – write about yourself in your essay and express your strong interest and passion for the summer program!
