As a teacher and longtime Chicago resident, I’m pleased to share practical advice for Chicago high school students and prospective college applicants. These are important stories from our city that don’t always get the attention they deserve. My goal is to provide clear, usable tips you can act on during summer breaks and throughout your high school years.
What does it take to be accepted by the college you want? Admissions officers look at much more than GPA alone. Preparation often starts years before applications are due. Chicago Scholars Foundation is a college-access and mentorship program that supports students from under-resourced communities through the entire application process, helping many gain admission to their top-choice schools. Dominique Jordan Turner, President and CEO of the organization, encourages students to treat summer time as an opportunity to build experiences that strengthen their candidacy.
Here are Jordan Turner’s six tips to become a competitive college candidate during summer breaks:
Volunteer your time: Colleges value applicants who show consistent commitment to serving others. Volunteering at a neighborhood food pantry, tutoring younger students, assisting at community events, or supporting an environmental cleanup are all meaningful ways to spend a summer. Regular volunteer work demonstrates compassion, leadership, and follow-through—qualities that strengthen applications and personal essays. Focus on causes you care about so your involvement feels authentic and sustainable.
Find an internship: A summer internship—whether in medicine, technology, the arts, or business—offers hands-on experience and helps you explore potential career paths. Even short internships or project-based opportunities can provide concrete examples of responsibility and initiative for your application and resume. If a formal internship isn’t available, consider job-shadowing a professional or organizing an independent project that shows curiosity and discipline.
Find a mentor: Mentors guide you through academic choices, the college application process, and long-term planning. A mentor can be a teacher, coach, school counselor, relative, or a professional you meet during an internship. Seek someone who listens, gives constructive feedback, and offers practical advice about campus life, majors, and networking. Regular check-ins with a mentor can help you set realistic goals and stay motivated.
Plan ahead: Start researching colleges early and narrow your list based on academic programs, campus culture, size, location, and affordability. Talk with current or former students about their experiences and, whenever possible, schedule campus visits. Summer is an ideal time to attend college tours, information sessions, and open houses. Visiting campuses helps you identify environments where you’ll thrive and generate stronger, more personalized application essays.
Research and apply for scholarships: College can be expensive, but scholarships and grants can greatly reduce costs. Use scholarship databases available through your school or community organizations and apply widely—local awards often have fewer applicants and higher chances of success. Start early, track deadlines, and tailor each application to the scholarship’s priorities. Diligent scholarship hunting over the summer can pay off with significant financial support later.
Hit the books: Strong standardized test scores (when required) and a solid academic record increase your options and may lead to better financial aid offers. Use SAT and ACT prep books, take timed practice tests, join study groups, or enroll in prep sessions if available. Consistent weekly study, targeted practice on weak areas, and regular mock exams can raise scores and strengthen your application. Even modest score improvements can improve admission chances and scholarship eligibility.
Meet Dominique Jordan Turner:
Dominique Jordan Turner serves as President and CEO of Chicago Scholars and is an appointed member of the Chicago Board of Education. In her leadership role she develops and implements operational and programmatic priorities, partners with the board and senior staff, and cultivates relationships that expand opportunities for students. Her work focuses on connecting talented, academically motivated, and underserved high school students to the resources and guidance they need to succeed in college and beyond.
Before joining Chicago Scholars, Dominique was Chicago Director at the Posse Foundation and served as Regional Director of Network Growth for the KIPP Foundation, where she managed strategic growth processes across the network. She began her career as a management consultant at Deloitte, concentrating on process re-engineering and customer relationship management. Dominique also served in the Peace Corps in the Republic of Panama and is fluent in Spanish.
She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University and an M.B.A. from Marquette University. Dominique has been selected for multiple leadership development programs, including IMPACT through the Chicago Urban League and the University of Chicago, the Trinity Fellowship in Urban Leadership, New York University’s Lead the Way Fellowship, and the Broad Residency in Urban Education. Her varied experiences inform her commitment to expanding college access and mentoring young people.
If you want to learn more about the Chicago Scholars community, the programs they run, or ways to get involved, reach out to local program coordinators or school counselors who can connect you with opportunities and next steps.