Prepping for College Series: The Summer before College

July 9, 2020

This post was written by Vivian Chen. In the field of finance and accounting, Vivian is filled with enthusiasm to create positive social impact through business. She is, among other things, a believer in the power of being civically engaged and informed

(Are you a 2020-2021 admissions cycle student? Check out our upcoming blog post dedicated to you in early September 2020 — Prepping for College Series: The Questions for Finding the Perfect College)

Congratulations! At this point you have heard back from most, if not all, universities you have applied for and have likely committed to a university already. The summer prior to college is a time of self-reflection, farewells to the familiarity surrounding you, and preparation for this new chapter of your life. Below is a list of considerations you should research about the university you will be attending:

1. What is the COVID-19 procedure at your university?

Depending on the state your university is located at, the impact of COVID-19 may differ. A helpful start is understanding the state guidelines regarding COVID-19, then looking out for emails from your university for their guidelines. 

Specifically, if your university is planning on having in-person classes and/or activities, what are their accommodations for out-of-state students and students who are uncomfortable with going to campus? If your university is planning on having online classes and/or activities, what platform will they be conducted on and what technological preparations will you have to make?

2. What are the scholarship opportunities for incoming students?

The financial aid you have received upon your admission is not necessarily the only financial assistance you will receive for your education. Familiarize yourself with your university’s financial aid process — many will have a database you can search. You can also look for scholarship programs offered by your school — these often come in the form of a commitment to take certain classes in exchange for a scholarship and often do not show up in scholarship databases. 

3. What is your checklist before “arrival”?

Look out for your university’s email/mail noting your move-in and orientation checklists. 

4. What extracurricular activities should I get involved in?

Extracurricular activities are an important part of a resume during the job hunting process, as they provide clues to a person’s time management, communication, and leadership skills. Not only so, they are a great way to make friends and create a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar environment. On-campus extracurriculars can generally be categorized as one of the following:

• Fraternities and Sororities

Also known as “Greek Life,” fraternities and sororities are generally socially oriented. They typically require a fee to join and are a pretty hefty social obligation, but with that also comes with a large network of peers you will get to know right away.

• Ethnicity/Race-Based Organizations

An example of this is the Black African Coalition (though naming may differ depending on the university). Organizations like these bond students together over their similar cultures and upbringings. 

• Occupation-Based Organizations

Students in these organizations connect through their shared aspirations and intended career paths. These are very common in business schools; for example, the Financial Management Association helps prepare students for a career in finance. 

• Hobby-Based Organizations

An example of these are a cappella groups on-campus. Students bond with each other through a shared, often non-occupational hobby and sometimes participate in competitions together. 

• Service-Based Organizations

Though many universities provide regular, short-term volunteering opportunities for their students, these organizations often focus on long-term, consistent volunteering with a couple of local nonprofits. If you are passionate about giving back, these are great to explore. 

• Religion-Based Organizations

If your religion is very important to you, religion-based organizations are a great option for connecting with like-minded students.

Outside of on-campus opportunities, do not be afraid to look for off-campus extracurricular activities as well. These are often offered as fellowships from national and international organizations.

5. How can you financially support yourself throughout college?

On-campus student employment opportunities are often a great choice for starting out. Hop on your university’s student employment portal to see what is available for you. As you gain more experience, it is wise to start looking for internships as they usually pay more than on-campus jobs and provide more relevant experiences for your future career. 

The Chamber’s mission is grounded on recognizing the impact education has had on us and wanting to bring that same impact to others. This article was written as a reflection from the Global Summit we co-hosted with Career Launcher and EdOrbis in late May 2020. Though the Summit informed international students about the overall admissions process, we feel that all incoming freshmen can benefit from this post as a preparation for life in college. Therefore, we wrote this blog hoping to help provide practical advice for incoming first-year students to succeed in college. 

Happy learning, and good luck on your journey!