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The Summer That Gets You In

Most students waste their most valuable pre-application window. Here's the framework for building a summer that actually changes outcomes.

The Problem This Solves

Most families default to expensive programs, familiar internships, or — worst of all — nothing intentional at all. But admissions officers have read thousands of Model UN descriptions and hospital volunteer write-ups. The summers that actually change outcomes look different.

This book shows you exactly how to design one — whether you have $0 or $5,000 to spend, whether your student has three free weeks or the whole summer, and whether they're a 9th grader with time to spare or a rising junior staring down their last real chance to build something that matters.

What's Inside

  • The PERMA framework for designing a summer that builds both real skills and a compelling story
  • Why expensive pre-college programs often backfire — and what to do instead
  • The One-Page Summer Plan template with 100+ ideas across every budget and interest
  • Grade-by-grade summer strategy with special focus on the underrated sophomore summer
  • The pay-to-play trap — and how to design a standout summer for $0
  • How what you do in July becomes the story that gets you in — written in October

Who It's For

Students in 8th–11th grade (and their parents) who want to make strategic, meaningful use of the summers before senior year

Common Questions

How early should we start planning the summer?
Ideally, you start planning in the spring before the summer you want to target — even a few weeks of intentional planning can completely change what your student does with those months. The book walks you through grade-by-grade timing, including a dedicated chapter on the sophomore summer, which is often the most valuable and most overlooked window in the entire high school timeline.
What if we can't afford expensive summer programs?
The book has a full chapter on the pay-to-play trap — the idea that you need to spend thousands on a prestigious program to have an impressive summer. You don't. The most memorable application stories often come from experiences students designed themselves. The appendix includes 100+ free and low-cost summer ideas, and the PERMA framework works at any budget.
Is this still useful if my student is already a rising junior?
Yes. The framework applies to any summer, and the rising junior summer is arguably the most important one. The book addresses this window specifically — including what types of experiences can still develop into a meaningful application story in 6–8 weeks, and how to frame them when October arrives.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes. 30-day money-back guarantee. If the book doesn't provide actionable value, email us for a full refund.
★★★★★

“We'd been spinning our wheels for two years. Jenny's framework finally showed us exactly what our son needed to build. He got into his top-choice school.”

MA

Miguel A.

San Jose, CA

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The Summer That Gets You In — the insider strategies that top families use, at a fraction of the cost.

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One Acceptance Letter Can Change a Lifetime Trajectory — But Only If Your Child Is Positioned Correctly

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