College-bound students are best served by participating in a pre-college program for the summer.
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Summer programs give students an advantage when applying. According to collegeboard.org, colleges pay close attention to summer activities. A pre-college program on an application shows a student’s dedication to learning, a quality that most colleges desire in their students.

Summer programs present students with endless opportunities. Students have the chance to enhance their college resumes while simultaneously studying and socializing with peers. Those who are searching for something to do this summer should look no further than a pre-college program.

Many students believe that taking college classes during the summer will prepare them for the future. However, summer classes are not the right choice for high school students.

Though building one’s resume is practical, it is not worth using up the only lengthy break that high school students have. According to sciencedirect.com, a study conducted on 1,585 students revealed that 82 percent of students feel strong academic stress. Summer break is meant to relieve that stress, not add to it.

Additionally, pre-college programs are more beneficial for the school than the student. According to dailynorthwestern.com, Northwestern University’s programs largely revolve around recruiting applicants for college; in fact, one summer music course at the Bienen School of Music was discontinued because it didn’t bring in enough applications in the fall. Rather than working to stimulate students academically, colleges look at these programs as self-promotion and advertisement.

To enjoy a more relaxing and fulfilling summer, students should avoid the impersonal and stressful experience that presents itself in a summer college-level course.