Your laptop screen glows late into the night as you keep the Common App open. You have done your work-the essays, the extracurriculars, and the summer programs. But now is the time to put these things together, and, like many other students, you might get confused about what goes where. This blog post guides you on how to add summer programs to the Common App.
When it comes to summer programs and university applications, students often have many questions. These include how to add summer programs during the application process and whether they make a difference. So, let's answer all this and also take you through the right way to share your summer program experience with the admissions team.
Do Summer Programs Matter on the Common App?
The short answer is yes, but this might be subjective. Relevant, well-known, and prestigious summer programs that align with the applicant's intended major make a clear difference.
These summer programs show how the student is ready to go beyond the traditional school classroom to slake their curiosity. Therefore, if you are applying to a competitive college where almost every second student is an academic genius, this extra step will boost your chances.
Moreover, you have significant leverage if you attend academically structured programs affiliated with top universities. Especially, if the chosen subjects are in line with your intended major and if the university is your intended university.
The Oxford Institute, for instance, offers various summer programs, including the Oxford Summer Program, Oxford China Summer Program, and Oxford London Summer Program. Our Oxford Summer Program is very popular amongst students, and pre-university students especially benefit significantly from it. Academic counselling sessions, along with the option of 30+ subjects to choose from, give students plenty to include in their applications.
But not all summer programs are worth mentioning. For instance, if you are applying for an Artificial Intelligence Degree but your summer program revolves around exploring historical sites in London, it might not be beneficial. However, you can see how a tour of these historical sites made you wonder about how the human race advanced and connect it to your interest in AI.
Where Do Summer Programs Go on the Common App?
Your summer program can go in any of the three sections below. It all depends on where you put it in a better context.
A) Activities Section (Most Common Placement)
Most students add summer programs to the activities section. You list it like other activities.
Just click Activity Type, then choose Academic or Educational Program from the dropdown menu. In the Position/Leadership Description, you can mention that you were a student/program attendee and highlight tutorials, research, debate, projects, or independent work rather than location or prestige. In the Organization section, you must clearly state the name of the institute hosting the summer program. Then move on to Activity Description and explain how this experience had an impact on you.
This section works best when you view the summer program as a serious academic commitment.
When is this the right choice?
This can be a good choice if your program was structured and academically rigorous, pushing you beyond the school's curriculum. Moreover, if your summer program includes performance and evaluation, adding it to the activities section can be a good option.
B) Honors Section (When Applicable)
Some people also add summer programs to the Honors section. The Common App allows you to add up to 5 academic or extracurricular honors in the "Education" section of the Common App. These are listed in order of importance.
If you put your summer program here, make sure to add a title, years, and level of recognition (national/international). In addition, you can use the description section to share how you found the summer program transformative.
When is this the right choice?
Adding your summer program to the Honors section only makes sense if it was highly selective and involves some merit. Moreover, know that there is a clear distinction between simple participation and recognition.
C) Education / Additional Information Section
Education and Additional Information are some other sections where students can add their summer programs. As in all other sections, students would be asked to fill in details such as program year, duration, etc.
When is this the right choice?
These sections can be an excellent choice for international or academically rigorous summer programs. University-based, tutorial-style summer programmes, such as the Oxford Summer Program, can go here.
How to Describe a Summer Program Effectively?
Simply stating that I attended the XYZ summer program isn't enough; many students make this mistake. You need to know that where you went is not the only thing the admissions officers are looking for. Instead, they want to study their outcomes and how each of your experiences shapes you.
Therefore, focus on what you did, not just where you went. Also, emphasize the skills you were able to develop, for example, critical thinking, research, discussion, debating, and leadership. Moreover, mention outcomes such as presentations, debates, essays, or projects, and how they affect your views now.
Please know that with thousands of other applications, admission officers will skim yours. So, make sure you write concise, valuable, and scannable essays/descriptions.
Common Mistakes Students Make When Listing Summer Programs
Here are some of the most common mistakes we have seen students making while listing summer programs. Give them a careful look because you might be making them as well.
- Copypasting program descriptions as it is.
- Overloading with unnecessary details.
- Trying too hard to highlight the brand name. The host institution and university clearly matter, but don't overemphasize their names.
- Listing multiple programs with no correlation or relevance.
- Ignoring reflection on how the program has an impact on you and missing out on the program's outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do colleges care about summer programs on the Common App?
Yes — colleges care when a summer program shows academic initiative, subject interest, or personal growth. What matters most is how you describe the experience, not whether it was branded or expensive.
Can I list more than one summer program?
Yes. You can list multiple summer programs as separate activities, as long as each one adds new value and isn't repetitive—quality and clarity matter more than quantity.
Do paid summer programs still count?
Yes. Paid summer programs count if they are academically structured and you explain what you learned, contributed, or developed. Admissions officers focus on outcomes, not the price tag.
How many words should I use to describe a summer program?
Use the complete Activities section character limit wisely (typically 150 characters per line). Be concise, specific, and results-focused rather than descriptive or promotional.