As the school year winds down, high school students and their families are faced with the exciting, yet daunting, task of planning for the summer. At Success Koach (SK), we understand that navigating the vast array of summer program options can be overwhelming. That's why we've developed a comprehensive approach to summer planning, ensuring that each student finds the perfect fit to unlock their full potential.
Exploring Interests and Discovering Passions
Whether you're still trying to identify your interests or you've already established a clear direction, SK's summer planning process can help you make the most of this transformative time.
"Summer is a phenomenal time to invest in exploration and discovery, to develop interests, to further the interest and gain valuable skills, collaboration and purely reflect and grow," explains Anu Villapakkam, a counselor at SK.
Through our in-depth consultations, we work closely with students to uncover their unique passions and goals. From there, we can curate a personalized selection of summer program options that align with their aspirations, ensuring that they have the opportunity to dive deep into areas of genuine interest.
Fortifying Established Interests
For students who have already identified their academic or extracurricular interests, SK offers a range of intensive summer programs to help them fortify their skills and showcase their growth.
"These students really come back, able to reflect upon what they went through and use that meaningfully in their essay stories or talk about it during interviews," says Anu.
Programs like UC Cosmos, MIT RSI, and UCSB RMP provide students with the chance to collaborate with college-level professors and PhD students, tackling real-world research projects and pushing the boundaries of their knowledge.
Exploring Beyond STEM
While STEM fields often take center stage in summer program planning, SK recognizes the importance of exploring beyond the traditional academic boundaries. We offer a wealth of options for students interested in business, economics, policy, and other humanities-focused areas.
"We have a whole list of 40-50 programs in one area, but these are some things I picked for introductory, you know, exploration and Rexel Summer Institute also, for that matter," Anu shares.
Programs like the Bank of America Student Leaders, Bentley Wall Street, and UCB Bay provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in these dynamic fields, developing a deeper understanding of their potential career paths.
A Holistic Approach to Summer Planning
At the heart of SK's summer planning process is a deep commitment to personalization. We don't simply provide a list of programs and send students on their way. Instead, we take the time to understand each student's unique needs, interests, and goals, guiding them through the entire journey.
"We don't just give you a compiled list. We hand-pick a bunch of colleges out of them. We just don't send you with 500 colleges or summer programs to look at," Anu explains.
From crafting compelling application materials to navigating the complex timeline, our team of experts is there every step of the way, ensuring that students make the most of their summer experiences.
Embracing the Journey
As students embark on their summer planning journey, Harpal Kochar, a fellow counselor at SK, emphasizes the importance of embracing the process, saying, "You will always miss the opportunities that you don't take. You take them, you win some, you win some, you lose some."
By partnering with SK, students can navigate the summer program landscape with confidence, knowing that they have a team of dedicated professionals guiding them towards their goals. Whether you're seeking academic enrichment, personal growth, or a chance to explore new horizons, SK's comprehensive approach can help you unlock endless possibilities.