As an independent counselor, I’ve spent almost 10 years working with hundreds of high-achieving high school students and their families on college planning.

Students I coach are regularly accepted to top schools like Harvard, Stanford and Princeton. In addition to academics and extracurriculars, a big part of my job is helping them plan meaningful school breaks.

Summer is a consequential time for kids. It’s an opportunity to recharge, build new relationships and explore their interests. When it comes to planning summers, the parents of the most successful kids avoid making these mistakes:

In late spring, I get many inquiries from families who are just starting their summer planning. Unfortunately, a lot of the options are already off the table at this point.

Some of the most competitive programs and internships have November or December deadlines, and many are due in January and February.