The Summer Synergy Project will NOT be offered for Summer 2024.
Summer Synergy Project
A meaningful, self-directed summer project for high school students.
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 and created a curriculum 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.
We believe the SSP is important because colleges are looking for 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 need to be able to tell their story. 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.
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.
The SSP exceeded my expectations. The amount of time my student spent was more than I expected and the pride he felt in the end result was great.
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.
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 and videos, three 1-1 sessions with a coach, and two phone/email/facetime check-ins between sessions. Families will also receive resources for college planning and executive functioning. If you sign up before April 15th the cost is $649/student. After April, the price will go up to $699. If you are a current College Calm package client, you can add SSP for $500. Space is limited to 20 students for the summer.
For summer 2021, students will work virtually. 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 (projected options are Wednesday, August 11th, Sunday, August 15th and Monday, August 16th but are subject to change due to student and coach availability).
For more information, please watch our video.
If you still have questions you can email Roxana at Roxana@collegecalm.com.
If you are ready to sign up, click here. You will be directed to choose a time to check in with Roxana for 10 min, fill out a form, and pay for the program
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…
Questions? Contact Roxana today!
questions about the Summer Synergy Project!
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