Hello Bronx Science!

We, the Managing Editors, Copy Chiefs, and Content and Proofreading Editors of The Science Survey are here to offer some advice about the college process, summer, and fun spots in New York! Summer is an important time for juniors to get a jumpstart on the college process so that senior year is not too stressful. But it is also important to truly embrace the summer and take some time to relax and have fun. 

Best,

Sophia Birman ’26, Alexandra Ghile ’26, Simone Ginsberg ’26, Willa Huber ’26, Madison Kang ’26, Sophia Nguyen ’26, Anthony Ortega Bravo ’26, Amanda Ro ’26, Sarah Rubinstein ’26, and Sasha White ’26

Amanda Ro: What are some fun and cute spots in New York City to hang out with friends and family?

Growing up in New York City is an incredibly unique experience–most fun spots are just a quick train ride away. The city has so much to offer and you really just have to know where to look. Some of my favorite places to hang out with friends and family are The Great Lawn, Little Island, Governors Island, and The Little Red Lighthouse. As warmer weather slowly approaches, spending time outdoors and absorbing the beautiful weather for as long as possible is crucial. 

The Great Lawn

The Great Lawn is located at the heart of Central Park, in between the east and west side of Manhattan. Though it may seem like an ordinary spot of grass, what truly makes it special is the presence and energy of the people there. Whether they are playing spike ball, tossing a football or frisbee, or just relaxing on a blanket, high school students, who enjoy spending time with their friends, always fill the park. On a sunny day, having a picnic on the grass can be a great way to savor the beautiful weather and appreciate good company. Central Park itself has so many fun activities to offer, from rowing on the water, visiting the Central Park Zoo, biking around the loop, or even going to Shakespeare in the Park. It is hard to become bored.

Little Island

Little Island is located on the west side of Manhattan in between Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, alongside the Hudson River. The ornate architecture, featuring various concrete pillars which serve as its foundation, is just one of the noteworthy features of the island. Little Island hosts many enjoyable performances, art installations and interactive programs, but it also serves simply as a whimsical place to relax and embrace the surrounding nature and intricate design. 

Governors Island

Governors Island is a secluded, scenic place perfect for a day trip. The ferry stop is located in Lower Manhattan at the Battery Maritime Building and takes you straight to the island in just five minutes. Though the island is small, there is still so much to do. There is room on the ferry to bring bikes, but there are also many spots to rent bikes. Biking around the island is easy and pleasurable, since there is typically not a car in sight. After a long bike ride, the hammocks around the island are the perfect way to rest, or even a visit to the island’s European style spa. There are also so many historic sights around the island, as well as exciting art and cultural locations. The dining on the island is also extremely diverse, with many delicious options from which to choose. 

The Little Red Lighthouse

Located in Fort Washington, the Little Red Lighthouse is a charming New York landmark. The lighthouse is a striking shade of red, and its light was used to warn incoming ships of dangerous rocks. Although the lighthouse is no longer actively in use, it is still a spot that attracts many visitors as it is seen as a cultural icon. The lighthouse became popular through the children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift, and the lighthouse has remained a symbol representing the message that even the smallest person can make a big difference. There is a scenic path that leads up to the lighthouse, and there are various festivals hosted yearly which can make for an enjoyable experience with friends and family. 

New York City is so densely populated with exciting and engaging spots for an unforgettable experience with friends and family. Although the Great Lawn, Little Island, Governors Island, and the Little Red Lighthouse are some of the more well-known locations, there are so many local places around each neighborhood that are equally as appealing. The best way to find charming places to enjoy with family and friends is to take the time to explore the city, there are plenty of areas that are still exciting just not as popular. Ultimately, any place where you can relax and enjoy the presence of friends and family is one where memories can be made and bonds can be strengthened. Sometimes what matters most is the quality of the company rather than the location you are in.

Sarah Rubinstein: How can I use my time during summer in a way that balances relaxation and productivity?

After a dedicated ten months of constant studying, homework, tests, and waking up early, it is natural that you want a break from all your hard work. I know I do. But the truth is, no matter how tiring the school year might have been, adjusting to a completely different sleep schedule and routine can be tricky. It is important to make summer a time to recharge, while also pursuing meaningful goals. Here are some ways to achieve this balance.

My number one recommendation is sleep! Bronx Science students are not particularly known for their incredible sleep habits. The summer is a perfect time to catch up on sleep by setting your alarm a few hours later. Typically, teenagers are recommended to get 8-10 hours of sleep a night, ideally going to bed at around 10 p.m. and waking up around 7 a.m. When you wake up, you will feel more refreshed and likely more motivated to do some sort of activity in your day.

Next, make yourself a To-Do list. It should not be anything too difficult; instead, focus on simple tasks like working out for 30 minutes, reading 10 pages of a book, or even watching an episode of your favorite show! The simple act of completing tasks on a list and checking them off will make you feel and be more productive because you are following a plan that you created.

If you do not know what to put on your To-Do list, I recommend coming up with a minimum of three long-term summer goals (or projects), and 5-10 short term goals, which more resemble daily activities. Here is what an example list could look like:

Long term goals

1. Jog everyday to improve stamina
2. Read 2 books
3. Learn to play ‘Piano Man’ by Billy Joel on the piano

Short term goals

1. Bake a cake
2. Explore a part of the city I haven’t seen before
3. Have a beach day with friends
4. Clean out your room
5. Watch the sunrise
6. Try a new food
7. Go to a flea market
8. Get coffee with an old friend
9. Have a picnic in Central Park

As you can see, this list mixes productivity, hobbies, and relaxation to ensure a simultaneously fulfilling and fun summer.

Finding a summer job or an internship can also be a great way to stay productive but also relax. If you love shopping, maybe apply for a job at your favorite clothing store. If you love the outdoors, being a camp counselor could be a fun way to spend your summer. Having a part-time job that you actually enjoy can keep you busy and make your summer exciting. 

Now, for the hard hitting question: What schoolwork should I do this summer? In my opinion, the answer really depends. In order to keep your memory fresh and your skills sharp for next year, it is definitely important to dedicate at least a portion of your summer to review. If you are continuing taking a world language class next year, I recommend spending 15 minutes a day immersing yourself in that world language so that you do not forget any of the vocabulary or grammar rules when the school year starts. Your brain is a muscle just as much as your hamstring; it must be exercised and worked if you want it to stay strong. Finding time to read and write throughout the summer will increase your English vocabulary and your penmanship. 

All in all, the trick to a relaxing and productive summer is to find ways to integrate the two. Productivity does not always mean homework or math problems; it can also be the simple act of doing something and completing tasks! The summer is a great opportunity to explore interests that you might not have time to explore during the school year. So, take advantage of these few months off: sleep, review, do, and have fun!

Simone Ginsberg: What advice would you give to juniors who feel overwhelmed by the college process and are unsure of what to do over the summer to prepare?

The college admissions process is universally deemed as one of the largest stressors for high school students. For the first half of our high school careers, the process appears far and distant, covertly looming in the distance; however, once it strikes the end of junior year, the jarring reality that early action and early decision deadlines are mere months away. As deadlines approach, it’s easy to engulf yourself in a wave of stress and anxiety (trust me, I’ve been there), but such emotions will not produce productive results. The college admissions process will undoubtedly be challenging, but there are ways to ensure you get the college results you deserve and desire while concurrently not overwhelming yourself; here are a few tips from a junior currently undergoing the process!

Use your summer wisely! 

The summer before senior year is an infamously important one, serving as a perfect opportunity to set yourself up for a successful college admissions season. The summer is the time to get ahead of the curve on college applications. It is the only time you have to work on applications  without being swamped with the rigorous coursework that accompanies senior year. The common app portal for the 2025-2026 school year opens on August 1st, 2025; however, your timeline for working on college essays and supplements isn’t necessarily dependent on Common App’s deadlines. Typically, the common app essay prompts as well as individual schools’ supplements will remain relatively consistent from year to year, meaning that you could get started writing as soon as today! Of course, you don’t have to start writing the moment the last school bell rings, but it will definitely be helpful during July to start brainstorming ideas for your Common App essay, including supplements for schools you may plan to apply early decision (or early action) to. I recommended you begin the official writing process during August, to make sure you aren’t overburdened during September and October. It is critical to note that what you write over the summer by no means must be a final, officialized version of your essay and supplements; it is simply a starting point. Once the school year starts, all of your essays will undergo a rigorous editing process, with your teachers, guidance counselors, peers, and even Bronx Science alumni there to guide you through the journey of perfecting your writing, ensuring that once early deadlines come about, you feel proud of what you submit!

College essays are not the only pressing matter of the summer. The summer is also a great period to truly research colleges, go on tours, and start curating your finalized college list. By the end of August, you should have a solid concept of where you want to apply, especially early. Beware of the fact that early action and decision deadlines are in early November, and thus leaving researching and touring your likely early schools to the senior year may put you in a precarious situation.  

You should also leverage the summer to tie up any loose ends in your college application. In other words, work on strengthening the weak pillars of your applicant portfolio. For instance, if you’re not content with your test scores and are planning to take the ACT or SAT during the fall season, definitely spend time studying over the summer. Similarly, if you’re concerned about the rigor of your extracurriculars, summer is your last chance to refine them. That could entail taking on a summer internship/job, pre-college program, volunteering, research, or working on a passion project, to name a few. There are countless summer opportunities out there–maximize them and remember to take on the ones you genuinely enjoy. 

Stay organized!

The college application process is a whirlwind of deadlines. On top of having various early and regular decision and scholarship application deadlines, you also have school-specific deadlines to meet from teachers and guidance counselors for recommendation letters, transcripts, submitting test scores, and so on. A guaranteed way to get overwhelmed by the college application process is to get lost in the seemingly endless due dates. Make sure you have a way to track your deadlines, otherwise you may not only be increasingly stressed, but you may miss them! I recommend having a personal calendar where you can easily track and visualize key dates, but I know many people who enjoy using a spreadsheet, planner, or Google Doc. During the college application season, try to find an organization tool that works for you and stick with it. Having a to-do list can also help you keep track of your college application process to make sure you remain accountable for the work you need to do. 

You’ll get through it!

Throughout the college applications process, remind yourself that even at the moments where it feels daunting, stressful, and frankly impossible, you will get through it! Generations of Bronx Science students before you have endured the college admissions process and ended it with fantastic results. Nothing can deter you from achieving your college goals unless you let it. With that being said, all of you are extremely capable and talented, and I wish all Bronx Science juniors the best of luck with the college applications process! 

Although college preparation over the summer is critical, don’t let it absorb your entire break. Take advantage of the free time before the busyness of senior year to also spend time with family and friends and do what you find fun, whether that is traveling, playing sports, or simply relaxing at home. 

Sophia Birman: What should I do to increase my SAT score?

Standardized testing can be extremely stressful – but knowing how to study for these tests definitely helps alleviate the stress for me. There are a couple strategies I would recommend employing when studying and taking these tests: 

Memorizing the tricks

Standardized testing is, above all, a game; the best way to succeed is to memorize its rules and strategies.

Firstly, when reading the passage and question for the English section, it’s important to strike a balance. You should read the passage carefully, as many of the answer choices will refer to small details in the text, but not meticulously, as you are on a time crunch. 

While you can skim over some parts, there are other components you should look out for. This includes transition words (which can indicate a change or reinforcement of ideas), “unusual” punctuation such as dashes, italics, and colons, strong language such as only and never, and explanation words such as “reason.” These elements usually indicate where the most important information in the passage lies.

When looking at the answer choices, there are also a couple patterns to keep in mind; some of these may include recognizing that the correct answer on the English section rarely includes extremes (such as “always” or “never”), usually contains the same ideas as the passage, only phrased differently, and will rarely replicate the phrasing of the passage, and usually is on the shorter side (the more information is in an answer, the greater the chance that some of the information is wrong).

While there may be fewer “tricks” to memorize for the math section, the most useful strategy is learning how to use Desmos. Here is a useful list of Desmos tips, tricks, and tools, although many more resources exist for a variety of different questions. If you learn how to use Desmos effectively, it can help you solve the vast majority of math questions, substantially improving your math score.

You can also find much longer, more extensive lists of these such tips in various textbooks or online websites!

Prioritize targeted, consistent practice over full practice tests.

Once most people have learned these “tricks,” they go on to complete practice. I completely agree with this approach–to master the SAT, you have to master the specific structure of the questions asked and the test itself, which can only happen with practice.

Yet, in my opinion, most people go about practicing incorrectly, opting to do a full practice test once a week or so. This practice is fundamentally untargeted.

This isn’t to say that practice tests aren’t helpful. You should definitely take full-length practice tests every two weeks or so, but in the interim, you should prioritize targeted practice. For example, if on your first practice test, you incorrectly answered lots of grammar questions on the English section and lots of trigonometry questions on the math section, you should spend your next two weeks doing as much practice on these topics as possible, completing independent question sets with only these types of questions.

Doing this type of targeted practice consistently every day (for example, 10 questions a day) is significantly more beneficial than full-length practice. For one, repetition is key, and doing short practice every day is more efficient than doing long practice once a week. Additionally, full-length practice tests can often be a waste of time; if you consistently are getting the inference and vocabulary questions right on the English section and the grammar questions wrong, you shouldn’t waste your time completing an entire English section, spending around an hour of time completing questions that you already know how to do. It is nearly always more helpful to do targeted practice. 

Learn from past mistakes

Now that you have completed some practice questions, the most important next step is how you learn from them. Many people look at the answer key, see what questions they got wrong, figure out those questions specifically, and move on. Yet, they go on to make these same mistakes in future practice.

To avoid doing so, you should shift the way you review questions you got wrong. First, before looking at the correct answer, look at the question again and think about what answer you would choose if the one you originally chose wasn’t an option. If it’s a math question, try redoing the question, potentially with a different approach. 

Then, look at the answer key and understand what you got wrong. Compare the line of reasoning used in the answer key, versus the line of reasoning you used to select your first choice (on the real test) and the second choice (just recently). Use this to not only understand this one question, but rather a general component of the line of reasoning, formulas, or strategies used to arrive at the correct answer for that type of question as a whole. Summarize this in one or two general sentences and write this down on a piece of paper. 

As you continue to study for the test, continue writing down these two-sentence “lessons” on that piece of paper. Soon, it will transform into your own study guide with your own tips and tricks. Review this study guide before completing practice and before the real exam – I have found that it is extremely helpful and the best way to maximize and learn from the practice you do.

Switch up the order of questions.

You might have done all the practice questions in the world, made your own study guide, memorized the tricks, and more, yet still continue to struggle on some sections of the SAT. First and foremost, that’s completely okay! You don’t need to get every question right to get a good score.

Instead, focus on getting as many questions right as you can. Something that can help with this is switching up the order in which you complete the questions. For example, the English section of the SAT is always set up in a similar structure: vocabulary questions, then reading/inference questions (potentially with graphs in between), grammar questions, transition questions, and then rhetorical synthesis questions. Similarly, the Math section typically has the hardest questions at the end. 

You should experiment with switching up the order of the questions that you complete. For the English section, it might be helpful to do the easiest/fastest questions first for you, so that you can focus on the harder questions at the end and read closely. For the Math section, I have found conversely that it is more effective to tackle the most difficult questions first. Ultimately, you should use the order of the questions that works best for you–which will often not be the order determined by the SAT, and will require a lot of trial and error to determine.

I hope these tips helped! At the end of the day, though, remember that a test score doesn’t define you. If you have worked hard and tried your best, no matter what the end result was, you should be proud of yourself and your dedication. Good luck on the SAT!

Willa Huber: How do you stay connected to your friends who are going away to college after the summer?

When we graduate high school, we move on to the next phase of our lives. It can be difficult to watch people who are so deeply engraved in our lives make this jump, and make it without us. But leaving for college doesn’t mean losing contact, friendship, or trust. Staying in contact with friends is entirely dependent on the type of friendship and what each person values in the relationship. This might mean the difference between having a FaceTime session for a few minutes everyday and calling for a long debrief once a month.

Accept that things are changing

My sister left for college last year, and it was a difficult shift as she’s often the first person I go to for advice and a vote of confidence.  The first few weeks we texted a lot and made it a goal to have a FaceTime session on weekends. This quickly proved to be a difficult routine to maintain as school picked up for both of us and we were forced to divert our attention elsewhere. I realized that in trying to talk to her every day, I was trying to continue the routine that we had growing up without taking into account that a huge change had occurred. Things were going to change, and I had to accept that. However, a change in communication doesn’t mean a discontinuation.

Realizing that we hadn’t talked in weeks and then finally catching up with a lengthy FaceTime session makes our conversations more coveted and immensely meaningful. We can overview the weeks in length and detail the important aspects, or get each other’s opinions on certain events or problems. Seeing people that you care about leave is a difficult thing to undergo, but the first step of adapting to this shift is recognizing that your relationship will change slightly. It’s a matter of working with the distance between you and your changing priorities that will help maintain your friendships.

Use social media! 

People are often quick to highlight the negative aspects of social media without realizing that it can be a very valuable tool to stay in touch with friends. Seeing pictures or memories they post can give you a glance into their new lives and interests, and could even be a talking point to help you keep in touch.

Go for a visit!

As we near the end of high school, any visit to a college campus is valuable. In addition to the opportunity to see your friend and meet the people they now spend time with, visiting them at their campus can be very beneficial to you as a student. Whether it’s popping in on some of their classes or just seeing what a day on campus is like, such a visit can provide insight to another side of a school that you might not be able to gauge solely from a tour.

I recently visited my sister at Middlebury College and we were able to catch up and spend much needed time together, but I also feel as though I gained a perspective on the vibe of the school and of liberal arts schools in general. 

The shift from high school to college is not easy, so it’s also important to give your friends grace if they respond to your texts less often or are not eager to talk everyday. But in the meantime, cherish every remaining moment that you have with them this year, and remember that although your relationship may change, it won’t perish. 

Madison Kang: How do I know if the topic of a college essay is good?

Throughout high school, everything tends to feel like it’s all a build up to college applications: “Do this because it looks good for college,” or “someone who did this club or program got into a good school last year.” Although considering past resumes and acceptance trends is a fair concern at a competitive school like Bronx Science, a huge part of your application is done through unique written responses. There are three main types: basic supplemental responses (“supps”), the “Why Us?” essay (not formally a separate essay, just a common supp), and the Common App personal statement.

The College Essay

The Common App Personal Statement has many names. The Common App essay, your personal statement, your personal essay, and most commonly just the college essay. 

Each year, the Common Application releases a series of essay prompts for every student to respond to in their own way. It is meant to be personal, as the name suggests, and reflect who you are as a person to the admissions officers at whichever schools you apply to. The prompts are extremely open-ended, and the very last one is usually something along the lines of  “Share an essay of your choice.” Which begs the question: what is a good topic to write about? While writing my own drafts for the 2025-2026 application season, I’ve compiled a 4-point list that I feel best encompasses how to choose a college essay topic.

Don’t fall into cliches

Obviously, choosing a theme for something as important as a college essay is tough, and a lot of people tend to fall back on the same sorts of ideas. However, there are some clear tropes and topics to avoid. Some of these may seem like good ideas, but you have to take into account that these are established topics that many others have come up with, and the baseline of a good college essay is uniqueness. 

There’s a lot of common topics, but the most common by far are sports challenges/injuries, immigration/moving, tragedy, and religion. Often these do fit the criteria for good topics besides that they lack uniqueness or personal detail. Many story arcs that showcase development regarding these topics are overdone in the media, or are simply too underdeveloped in showcasing one individual’s passions.

Your essay should NOT be a humble brag

Too many people make the mistake of believing that the personal statement is an occasion to simply retell their résumé and their achievements. Even when shrouded in a humble tone, when writing to people who want to see your character, providing them with specifically only your accomplishments and high points gives them one of two things: a two-dimensional idea of you, or boredom. Everyone has a success story, so giving admissions officers a story where you show struggle and recovery makes you not only personable, but gives admissions officers a fresh narrative they can resonate with and appreciate.

Show your development!

In the same vein as the last tip, a lot of people are scared to show any flaw in their life, but being perfect on paper and being perfect in your personal statement are two different things. Being unable to show any form of “imperfection” in a personal statement can come off as superficial and a bit insecure. Four out of the six constructive prompt options the Common App gave for the 2025-2026 application season are pointing out either personal growth, backgrounds, or challenges that have impacted you. One of the two goals of reading a college essay is to get an idea of what has made you the person you are today, and what your outlook on development thus far is. 

Most importantly, be personal

It’s in the name, personal statement. This is meant to show you off on a deeper level than what your resume says. Many of the schools that don’t have subs rely on your personal statement to determine who you are, so being vague and nonspecific regarding yourself is unhelpful in connecting with whoever may be reading it. As corny and cringy as it may seem, to write something that is meant to represent you means you have to open yourself up to being more vulnerable than you might be while writing any other essay for school.

If you feel like responding to your topic will be able to check these four boxes, go for it! I’d suggest writing more than one essay overall, and seeing what you resonate with the most. 

Sophia Nguyen: What should you consider in your college search (size, programs, clubs, study abroad opportunities, etc)? 

When researching potential colleges, it is important to remember what matters to you. From an academic to a social aspect, it is important to know what you are comfortable with. I have broken down everything you should consider when applying to colleges into seven main categories, and I hope that this can relieve some of the pressure that you are facing in this overwhelming process!

Academics:

1. When thinking about academics outside of rankings, think about all of the potential majors and minors that the school has to offer. What are your areas of interest and how do you plan to study these interests in college?
2. Not only are potential classes important to think about, but also think about the course selection process at different schools. At many reach and target schools, it can be harder or easier to take certain classes than others. In some cases, it may be common for undergraduates to graduate after five years compared to four years due to selective courses.
3. Faculty quality is essential when considering different colleges. Research different professors you may want to study under or even reach out to different departments based on your own interests. Think about the accessibility of these professors and if they are involved in research or mentorships. 
4. Finally, look for special opportunities that different colleges may have to offer. For example, some colleges offer merit scholarships or honors colleges, which are both great opportunities to stand out academically and to help financially. Look for whether the school has research options and internships that can help you pursue the path you are interested in.
5. Graduate success is crucial to think about when picking colleges. Think about the alumni networks that you will have access to, employment rates, and graduate school placements when thinking about colleges. 

Size of the School:

1. Small School – roughly under 5,000 students. Small colleges are great for close-knit communities, smaller class sizes, and closer relationships between professors and students.
2. Medium School – roughly 5,000-15,000 students. Medium sized colleges are excellent for balance of resources and close-knit communities. You are able to balance the experiences of meeting new people, while still being able to be in closer social groups. 
3. Large School – roughly 15,000 or more students. Large colleges are amazing for having major activities, facilities, and bigger class sizes. This may affect the amount of individual attention you can receive as students, but many professors solve this by making office hours very accessible for their students.

Location:

1. Urban vs. Rural? This question can be daunting depending on what you personally prefer. Whether you grew up in a city and are interested in moving to a more rural area or vice-versa. The important thing to remember is what is comfortable for you. Cities may offer more internship opportunities and a better social scene while rural areas may offer a more traditional college campus experience that is quieter and more community focused. However, you are able to find all of these aspects whether in urban or rural areas. 
2. Distance from home and weather are also two important factors to consider when thinking about colleges. Keep in mind traveling costs, homesickness, and preference for warmer or colder climates when applying to college.

Campus Culture:

1. Student life is essential to your college experience, so it should be important when thinking about different colleges to apply to. What are the students like? Does the average student match your values, interests, or lifestyle?
2. Clubs and organizations are very important. Think about what clubs or programs you are in currently, and think about how you may want to continue with these things in college, or even join new clubs and organizations. 
3. Social Scene: Do you care about Greek life? Does the school offer athletic teams, music performance groups, or other ensembles that I may be interested in? Finally, consider the party culture at different colleges; this can be important for your college experience. 

Study Abroad Programs:

If you are interested in Study Abroad Programs, it’s important to consider what colleges are accessible to you, what countries you may be interested in studying in, and finally how easy it is to study abroad for your potential major.

Cost and Financial Aid:

1. Tuition and fees: Consider sticker price and net price after aid.
2. Scholarships: Research merit-based, need-based, and departmental scholarships, depending on your needs. 
3. Work-study or job opportunities: Look into the availability of campus employment;, these jobs can help you pay off tuition and to decrease the amount of student loans taken out!

Personal Priorities:

1. Housing: What are your priorities when it comes to dorms? Do you want to be in a single, double, triple, or even larger shared rooms? Different colleges may have different residential colleges, is this important to you? Do research on the availability of different types of dorms at different colleges to make sure the housing system you pick fits you best. 
2. Dining: The food at any college can make or break your experience. We all know it–some colleges have better food than others. What is important is to make sure you are satisfied with the food, consider different meal plans, or even consider external dining options. Some colleges have the option for a self cooking plan, is this right for you? Make sure that you consider colleges where you can be comfortable with your diet. 
3. Any other personal priorities such as religions, mental health services, and diversity inclusion is also important to think about. Whether or not you may care about these things or not, that is all up for you to decide when considering different college options.

Thinking about where to apply to college can be a daunting task. In considering all of these factors, try not to get too overwhelmed. Remember to not compare yourself to anyone else and focus on not just what you can contribute to the school, but also how the school can help you grow as a student and a person. Good luck with college applications!

Anthony Ortega Bravo: What are some volunteer opportunities or jobs for the summer?

When looking for summer activities, try to make sure that you are genuinely interested in whatever it is you are doing, rather than using the summer to help fill up your resumé. That is the ideal standard when looking for things to do. It’ll spare you a miserable summer and you’ll have an activity that’s more like a de-stressor or career booster rather than a job/something you’re mandated to do against your will. 

In the event that you don’t have the luxury of being picky with what your summer looks like, look for opportunities that are at least semi-related to your future career and can equip you with useful skills like using Excel, coding languages, or even technical skills like carpentry. With that said, here are some useful resources to help you look for summer opportunities: 

For those interested in STEM: 

1. NYC Science Research and Mentoring Consortium—Small database to gain access to summer research and prestigious and well-known programs and institutions like NYU and Montefiore Hospital
2. WCS Youth Opportunities Newsletter—Monthly newsletter that has a very good variety of summer and school-year opportunities to have leadership or advocacy positions (updated with most recent and still-open programs)

For those interested in Humanities and the Arts: 

1. National English Honor Society—General overview of respected English and writing summer programs for only High Schoolers
2. Lumiere Education Summer Programs—Link attached will redirect you to a list of 11 humanities-related programs, however the website has a very large database of summer programs and opportunities for anyone interested in anything.

If by this point you are undecided and unsure of what you want your career to be, StandOut Search is a good database for very general programs open to specifically high school students. Our Key Club is also still very much active during the summer, so join the mailing list or discord to stay updated on the most recent volunteer opportunities. 

If you can’t find an internship or summer program you want or have time to apply for, fill up your summer by creating your own opportunities. Use the summer to talk to people in your field of interest, start your own passion project (and you need to commit to it), or get to know those in your local community and ask for ways you can help out! Take your own initiative for the summer to help build your story, advance your career, and build your personal qualities. 

Alexandra Ghile: What makes your summer experience pop out to college admissions officers?

Great summer experiences don’t have to be exotic or expensive to impress college admissions officers–they just need to show purpose, growth, and initiative. Whether you’re traveling abroad, taking a class, working a part-time job, or pursuing a passion project from home, what matters is why you did it and what you learned from it. Colleges are looking for students who take ownership of their time and challenge themselves in meaningful ways.

To stand out, focus on depth over flash. If you spent the summer researching a topic you care about, interning in your community, or starting something on your own–like a blog, nonprofit, or local event–highlight the commitment and impact. Even everyday jobs like scooping ice cream or babysitting can pop on an application if you reflect thoughtfully on the experience and how it shaped your work ethic, people skills, or future goals.

Ultimately, admission officers are looking for authenticity. The easiest way to become passionate and successful in an activity is if you truly love it, so the first thing you want to be looking for when searching for summer experiences are things that you would love. You should not be thinking about what you think would look good on an application–not only does that ruin the purpose of an experience, but is also very transparent to college admissions officers. A summer that aligns with your interests and tells a consistent story about who you are and what drives you will go further than one that looks impressive on the surface but lacks personal meaning. Be intentional, be reflective, and don’t underestimate the power of doing something with heart.

Sasha White: How do you make a balanced college list of safeties, targets, and reaches?

What was once a faraway prospect is now around the corner: the college process. As junior year comes to a close, students are pressured with Advanced Placement courses, classwork, and the impending college essays. Bronx Science is ranked  #37 nationally and #4 in New York State, and the competitive environment can be extremely overwhelming when it comes to applying to colleges. This is why you need a structured, balanced list of colleges. 

Note: one major factor to consider is financials. Make your list based on what you and your family are comfortable paying. Keep in mind that many schools offer merit/financial aid/scholarships, but these are not all always guaranteed. 

Below is a curated guide for the typical Bronx Science student looking to apply to college. For reference, a typical Bronx Science student has the following:

•  SAT Score: 1450-1520
• GPA: 3.7+
• APs: multiple advanced placement courses
• Extracurriculars: clubs, sports teams, internships, leadership roles, etc. 

Your list of schools should be split into safeties, targets, and reaches. 

Note:  However, if you are a stellar student and excel in these categories, some of the targets schools may shift into the more likely territory (safeties/ targets)

Safeties (~40% acceptance rate)

At minimum, you should have two to three schools that you consider safeties. The acceptance rates for these should be around 40% or higher. However, in applying to these schools, make sure that your average is above the school’s average. To easily compare this, access your account on Naviance and click on ‘My Colleges’ and then the ‘Compare Me’ button at the top.

Yield Protection: Yield protection is a verified admissions practice in which an academic institution rejects or delays the acceptance of highly qualified students on the grounds that such students are likely to be accepted by, and then enroll in, more selective institutions.

Common safeties for Bronx Science students: 

• Stony Brook University (49% acceptance rate)
• SUNY Binghamton (42% acceptance rate)
• University of Connecticut (55% acceptance rate)
• Indiana University (80% acceptance rate)

Note: It is good to have a range of safe choices—ones with acceptance rates ranging from 40%-60% (and higher)—for extra precaution. However, keep in mind that the schools you choose as your safeties are viable options that you should be willing to go to. In other words, don’t choose random ones because there is a chance they are the school you will end up committing to. 

Target (~20%-40% acceptance rate)

Target schools are schools around your level that you have a good chance of getting into. These are schools in which the admitted students profile should be the same as or slightly lower than the grades you have. For the average Bronx Science students, these are the schools that have a 20%-40% acceptance rate. You should have three to five target schools on your list.

Some common target schools are as follows: 

• University of Maryland – College Park (34% acceptance rate)
• University of Rochester (35% acceptance rate)
• Northeastern (18% acceptance rate) → considered a semi-target school, and potentially a reach depending on the student profile that you fit 
• Case Western Reserve University (29% acceptance rate)

Reaches (< 20% acceptance rate)

In your college list you should have two to four reach schools. These are extremely competitive to get into despite a strong student profile. Many of the top 50 schools, including the Ivies, have acceptance rates below 20%, making them a reach school.

There are some common reach schools that Bronx Science students apply to:

• Ivies (Harvard, Columbia, Brown, etc.) (5%-10% acceptance rate)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (4% acceptance rate)
• New York University (12% acceptance rate)
• Duke University (6% acceptance rate)

Tip: apply Early Action (EA)—this is not the same as early decision (ED)—to as many schools as you can. This way, you get a bulk of the college essays finished and show your interest for many of your top schools. 

If there is one school you are particularly passionate about, consider applying ED. However, keep in mind that this means that if you get in, you have to commit to that school regardless of what other ones you get into. Consider factors such as financials, dorms, and environment in this decision. If you don’t have one specific favorite, EA is a great way to demonstrate that you have an interest in the school. 

Overall, you should be applying to at least seven schools. The general guideline is to apply to 5-12 schools, however sticking with 7+ schools is a safer option. This process is not going to be easy, but it is worth it. You are deciding the next four years of your life. Put time into your applications, because you not only want to apply for good schools, but you also want to know that you have flexibility in the options that you will be offered when college decisions come out. Good luck in your future endeavors!

We, the Managing Editors, Copy Chiefs, and Content and Proofreading Editors of The Science Survey are here to offer some advice about the college process, summer, and fun spots in New York! Summer is an important time for juniors to get a jumpstart on the college process so that senior year is not too stressful. But it is also important to truly embrace the summer and take some time to relax and have fun.