How Teen Travel and Service Summer Programs Can Boost Your College Essays
Are you a high school student seeking ways to make your college applications stand out? We may be able to help!
At The Road Less Traveled, we run authentic teen travel and service summer programs. These transformative experiences not only broaden student’s horizons but also provide rich material for compelling college essays.
Here’s why and how you can leverage these experiences to impress college admissions departments.
Why Teen Travel and Service Summer Programs?
Unique and Authentic Experiences: Teen travel and service programs with RLT take students to diverse locations around the world, exposing them to new cultures, languages, people, and ways of life. These unique experiences can set your application apart from the crowd as it offers a different and engaging read.
Personal Growth: Engaging in service work and navigating unfamiliar environments fosters personal growth and resilience, qualities highly valued by colleges. College admissions departments are looking for well-rounded students, that aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone. What better way to show examples of how you have done this already, than sharing first-hand experiences from your travels?
Demonstrated Initiative: The decision to participate in such programs demonstrates initiative, a trait colleges seek in prospective students. It shows you're proactive about your personal and intellectual development. It shows you haven't sat around all summer watching Netflix, but put effort into your interests.
Global Perspective: In an increasingly interconnected world, colleges value applicants who demonstrate a global perspective. RLT programs offer firsthand exposure to global issues, fostering empathy and understanding. Participating in a trip will allow you to not only talk about global issues but share first-hand examples of your own experiences.
Incorporating Experiences into College Essays
So you decide to join one of our trips, but how do you weave this into your college essays?
Reflect on Impactful Moments: Think about the most memorable experiences from your program. Did you overcome a challenge? Connect with a local community? Reflect on these moments and consider how they shaped your worldview or personal growth. Dig deep. Don’t just provide a generic overview, share thoughts, feelings, and vulnerability.
Highlight Skills and Values: Identify the skills and values you developed during the program. Whether it’s leadership, teamwork, adaptability, or empathy, showcasing these qualities can strengthen your essay. Back this up with examples of how you developed leadership, or how you worked as a team. There will be loads of examples for you to choose from!
Tell a Compelling Story: Craft your essay as a narrative, focusing on a specific experience or moment that had a profound impact on you. Admissions officers appreciate stories that are authentic, reflective, and demonstrate self-awareness. RLT programs will give you plenty of stories and opportunities to choose from.
Connect to Your Goals: Tie your experiences back to your academic and career goals. How have they influenced your aspirations or shaped your perspective on your chosen field of study? Demonstrating a clear connection between your experiences and future plans shows purpose and direction. It also reinforces your passion for the area of focus.
Appealing to Admissions Departments
Diversity and Inclusivity: Colleges strive to build diverse and inclusive communities. Sharing experiences from your RLT trip can demonstrate your commitment to understanding and appreciating diversity.
Community Engagement: Many colleges value students who are actively engaged in their communities. Highlighting your involvement in service work during the program can underscore your commitment to making a positive impact. You will also have certified service hours from your trip to show as an example.
Global Citizenship: Admissions departments seek students who exhibit traits of global citizenship, such as cultural competence and a willingness to engage with complex global issues. Teen travel and service programs offer an ideal platform to showcase these qualities.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating your experiences from your RLT summer program into your college essays can greatly enhance your application. By highlighting your personal growth, values, and global perspective, you can make a compelling case for why you’re an ideal candidate for admission. Remember to reflect on your experiences, tell a compelling story, and connect them to your academic and career goals. With thoughtful introspection and effective storytelling, you can leverage these experiences to your advantage to stand out in the competitive college admissions process.
