As high school students navigate the competitive landscape of summer programs, it's crucial to have a well-crafted application strategy. Harpal Kochar, an experienced college admissions expert, hosted a webinar in Jan '24 focusing on summer program applications, using the prestigious UC COSMOS program as a framework.
Harpal began by highlighting the differences between summer program and college application strategies. While the overall approach may share some similarities, he emphasized the unique nuances that students need to consider when applying for summer opportunities.
Introducing UC COSMOS
The UC COSMOS program is a highly selective STEM-focused summer initiative, attracting around 5,000 applicants each year, with only 1,000 students ultimately accepted. Managed by faculty rather than teaching assistants, the program is offered at four different campuses across California.
Harpal stressed the importance of understanding the program's goals and vision, which are centered around building a community of scholars, fostering academic thinking, analytical skills, and experimentation. This insight can help students tailor their applications to align with the program's priorities.
Key Application Dimensions
Harpal outlined six key quadrants that make up a successful college application, and these principles apply equally to summer programs:
GPA: Maintaining a strong GPA, especially in math and science courses, is crucial. Harpal advised that applicants should aim for a 3.8 GPA or higher in STEM subjects.
Demonstrated Interest: Extracurricular activities, advanced placement scores, and concurrent programs related to the program's focus can showcase a student's genuine passion and commitment.
Personal Essays: These essays provide an opportunity for students to highlight skills, talents, challenges, or opportunities not covered in their transcripts. Harpal emphasized the importance of using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) methodology to craft compelling narratives.
Recommendation Letters: Carefully selecting teachers who can provide unique and meaningful stories about the student's character and personality is crucial. Harpal advised against generic recommendations and encouraged students to provide their recommenders with context, such as copies of their essays.
Activities: While the application may only allow for one or two activities, Harpal recommended that students showcase STEM-related pursuits, with a secondary activity that can still demonstrate a connection to the program's focus.
Test Scores: Contrary to college applications, standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT do not hold as much weight for summer programs.
Crafting Compelling Essays
Harpal delved deep into the art of personal essay writing, emphasizing that these essays should showcase aspects of the student's personality and experiences that their transcripts cannot convey. He encouraged students to use the STAR methodology to structure their essays, highlighting their intellectual curiosity, problem-solving skills, and personal growth.
Cluster-Specific Essays
In addition to the personal essay, Harpal discussed the importance of cluster-specific essays, where students explain their choice of cluster and what unique perspectives or skills they can bring to the program. He advised students to thoroughly research the cluster details and faculty research interests to craft a compelling narrative.
Assignments and Preparation
Harpal provided students with a series of assignments, including writing six short stories about their life experiences, focusing on overcoming adversity and learning from relationships. He emphasized the importance of quality storytelling and the impact on the student, rather than just polished language.
By following Harpal's guidance and completing these assignments, students can better prepare themselves for the final essay-writing process, ensuring their applications stand out in the highly competitive UC COSMOS program.
Conclusion
Harpal's webinar provides invaluable insights into the world of summer program applications, particularly for the prestigious UC COSMOS program. By understanding the program's goals, mastering the application dimensions, and crafting compelling essays, students can increase their chances of securing a coveted spot in this transformative academic experience.
Want to expand your edge going into the summer programs application process? You can find more summer programs content under our blogs, or reach out for a complimentary call to learn more about how we support students in their summer planning.