The Summer Synergy Project will NOT be offered for Summer 2024.
Summer Synergy Project
We are excited to offer the Student Synergy Project for summer 2025 for our CURRENT College Calm clients. Please click below to sign up.
What is the Summer Synergy Project?
We have taken everything we have learned is important to student success in our college counseling practice—understanding personal strengths, developing interests, taking initiative, collaborating with mentors and finding purpose to create a flexible summer program for high school students.
The Summer Synergy Project (SSP) is a flexible summer program where students work with a coach to brainstorm their interests, narrow down concepts, perform research, refine their ideas, create a plan, meet with experts, and present a final project.
The SSP is important because colleges seek students who take initiative in their areas of interest. The SSP helps students identify these areas and demonstrate intellectual curiosity and leadership. On a college application, students must be able to articulate their academic interests and contributions to the community. The SSP works with students to start developing their narrative, one they will build on throughout the rest of high school.

The Results
As a result of participating in the Summer Synergy Project, our evaluations show that ALL students:
- Prioritized their areas of interest
- Learned something new
- Took initiative
- Learned new strategies/ tools for organization and project management
- Focused on something productive over the summer
What the Parents & Students are Saying...

The most useful part of SSP was the first session where you gave us a sheet with tons of different very specific topics so we could narrow it down. At least for me, I have a lot of interests and narrowing it down can be hard.

I think that the entire process can be a way for students to creatively express their passions without fear of judgment, and that can be an important experience during their formative high school years.

The Synergy project was an amazing experience for our student. He stretched himself, learned something completely new, and contributed significantly to something greater than himself; all things he would not have done had he not been fortunate enough to be in contact with you. Thank you for all of your patience, encouragement, and guidance.”

I learned that I can do so much with my time when I am focused and determined to create something. This project has taught me that I am capable of so much.

The best part of the SSP for me was talking to experts and putting myself out to learn more about a topic that interested me.


Frequently Asked Questions
Students will receive pre-work in May and begin meeting with their coach in June. Over the summer they will meet three times for an hour 1-1 with their coach in addition to frequent phone/email check-ins. The program culminates in August with a group presentation meeting focused on feedback and next steps. Students will need to put in significant time outside of the meetings to research, plan, and develop their project. This is a student-driven project and this past year students spent an average of 15-25 hours outside of program meetings. We believe it is an incredibly valuable use of a student’s time.
The SSP is a great way to build the foundation to answer many of the UC Insight Questions, including “Think about an academic subject that inspires you and describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom” and “What have you done to make your school or community a better place?” The SSP also helps students tell the story for the common supplemental essay “What do you want to study at X University?”
The program includes pre-work inventories, three 1-1 sessions with a coach, and two phone/email/facetime check-ins between sessions. Families will also receive additional resources for college planning and networking. Currently the program is open only to current College Calm Clients. If you sign up before April 15th the cost is $600/student. After April, the price will go up to $650. Space is limited to 10 students for the summer.
Students have the option to meet virtually or in our office in San Carlos. Students will start with pre-work and then meet 1-1 with their counselor beginning in June. The meeting times are flexible and based on student and coach availability. Students are encouraged to attend a final group session in August. Once we have our cohort, we will determine the dates.
Recent Summer Synergy Projects
The Student Synergy Project is a meaningful self-directed summer project for high school students. Below is a completed project by one of the student participants. Learn more about the Student Synergy Project The Project: Genetic Modification Tool CRISPR CAS-9…
The Student Synergy Project is a meaningful self-directed summer project for high school students. Below is a completed project by one of the student participants. Learn more about the Student Synergy Project The Project: Mental Health and Media Student…
The Student Synergy Project is a meaningful self-directed summer project for high school students. Below is a completed project by one of the student participants. Learn more about the Student Synergy Project The Project: Nursing Brochure for my High…
The Student Synergy Project is a meaningful self-directed summer project for high school students. Below is a completed project by one of the student participants.Learn more about the Student Synergy ProjectThe Project: Animation Explaining the Negative Effects of Plastics on Our…
If you still have questions you can Email College Calm
Summer Synergy Project (SSP)
Jump start your Summer Vacation!-
Plan your project with the help of a professional coach
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Create and execute a meaningful project
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Get a head start on the College Application Process