Things to Do During Summer to Increase Grad School Acceptance

Summer is one of the best times for undergraduates to strengthen a future graduate school application. Without a full fall or spring course load, students can build research experience, complete internships, study for entrance exams, draft a statement of purpose, connect with recommenders, and research graduate programs more carefully.

If you are wondering how to increase grad school acceptance chances during summer, the answer is not one magic activity. Strong graduate school applications usually show academic preparation, relevant experience, clear goals, strong writing, and thoughtful fit with each program. Summer gives students time to build those pieces before deadlines arrive.

1. Get undergraduate research experience

For many master’s and doctoral programs, especially research-focused programs, undergraduate research is one of the strongest ways to demonstrate readiness for graduate study. Research experience shows that a student can ask questions, analyze information, work with a mentor, solve problems, and communicate findings.

Students can look for research assistant roles with professors, summer research programs, campus labs, independent study options, honors thesis projects, or Research Experiences for Undergraduates. Even if the project does not lead to a publication, it can provide valuable experience and a strong recommendation letter.

2. Complete an internship related to your field

Internships can be especially valuable for professional graduate programs, applied master’s programs, public health, business, social work, education, engineering, policy, communications, and other career-focused paths. A summer internship helps students connect classroom knowledge with real-world work.

Graduate admissions committees often look for evidence of direction. An internship can help students explain why they want the degree, what problems they care about, and how graduate training connects to their career goals.

3. Build relationships with future recommenders

Strong letters of recommendation are specific. The best recommenders can describe a student’s writing, research skills, work ethic, professionalism, leadership, maturity, and readiness for graduate-level work. Summer is a good time to reconnect with professors, research mentors, internship supervisors, advisors, or campus staff who know your work well.

Students should not wait until the week before a deadline. Ask early, provide a resume or CV, share a draft statement of purpose, include program deadlines, and explain why each program fits your goals. The University of Washington advises applicants to plan ahead and give recommenders plenty of time to write strong letters.

4. Draft your statement of purpose before fall gets busy

The statement of purpose is one of the most important parts of a graduate school application. It should explain your preparation, academic interests, research or professional goals, and why each program is a strong fit. Berkeley Graduate Division notes that a statement of purpose should show aptitude and motivation for graduate study, preparation for the field, academic plans or research interests, and future career goals.

Summer is the ideal time to write a rough draft. Students can revise during the fall, ask mentors for feedback, and customize the essay for each program instead of rushing before deadlines.

5. Research graduate programs carefully

Graduate school fit matters. A strong applicant does not simply apply to the most famous schools. Students should look for programs that match their academic interests, faculty expertise, funding needs, career goals, location preferences, and learning style.

During summer, build a spreadsheet with each program’s deadline, required materials, faculty of interest, funding options, test requirements, application fee, contact information, and essay prompts. For research degrees, pay close attention to faculty research areas and whether potential advisors are accepting students.

6. Prepare for the GRE or other required exams if needed

Many graduate programs are now test-optional or do not require the GRE, but some programs still require or recommend entrance exams. Summer gives students time to check requirements, decide whether testing is worth it, and study without competing with a full semester workload.

Before spending money on test prep, students should confirm the requirements for each target program. If scores are optional, consider whether a strong score would help your application or whether your time is better spent on research, essays, experience, or prerequisite courses.

7. Improve your resume or academic CV

Graduate school applications often require a resume or curriculum vitae. Use summer to update education, honors, research, work experience, internships, campus leadership, volunteer work, presentations, publications, technical skills, languages, certifications, and relevant projects.

Students should tailor the document to graduate admissions. Instead of listing every job duty, highlight evidence of academic preparation, responsibility, leadership, communication, quantitative skills, writing, research, service, or field-specific experience.

8. Take a summer class that fills an academic gap

If your transcript has a weak spot, missing prerequisite, or course sequence problem, summer classes can help. A statistics class, research methods course, lab science, writing-intensive class, language course, or major prerequisite may strengthen your preparation for graduate-level work.

Before registering, confirm that the course applies to your degree or graduate preparation. If you are taking a course at another institution, verify transfer rules with your home college.

9. Create a writing sample or portfolio

Some graduate programs require a writing sample, portfolio, design work, code samples, research paper, policy memo, lesson plan, lab report, or creative work. Summer is a good time to revise your best academic work into a polished sample.

Ask a professor, writing center, mentor, or advisor for feedback. A strong writing sample should show clear thinking, organization, evidence, analysis, and field-appropriate style.

10. Contact potential mentors or programs professionally

For research-based programs, it may be appropriate to contact potential faculty mentors before applying. Keep emails short, specific, and professional. Mention your background, research interests, why their work connects to your goals, and whether they are accepting graduate students.

Do not send generic mass emails. A thoughtful message to a well-matched faculty member is more useful than dozens of vague emails.

11. Build a realistic application timeline

Graduate school applications often require transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, test scores, resumes, writing samples, portfolios, and fees. Summer is the time to organize deadlines before the fall semester becomes crowded.

Create a checklist for each program:

Application deadline
Statement of purpose prompt
Personal statement or diversity statement prompt
Resume or CV requirement
Recommendation letter count
Transcript rules
GRE or entrance exam policy
Writing sample or portfolio requirement
Funding, assistantship, or fellowship deadlines

12. Strengthen your professional online presence

Depending on your field, a professional online presence can help. Update LinkedIn, clean up public social media, create a simple portfolio website, upload research posters, organize GitHub projects, or make sure your email address and voicemail are professional.

This step will not replace strong academics, but it can make your application materials feel more polished and consistent.

Summer grad school checklist for undergraduates

Meet with an academic advisor or faculty mentor.
Identify 6–10 graduate programs that fit your goals.
Research faculty, curriculum, funding, deadlines, and requirements.
Join a research project, internship, volunteer role, or field experience.
Ask potential recommenders if they can write strong letters.
Draft your statement of purpose and personal statement.
Update your resume or CV.
Prepare for required exams only if your programs need them.
Polish a writing sample, portfolio, or research presentation.
Take a prerequisite or skill-building summer course if it helps your plan.

What matters most for grad school acceptance?

Graduate admissions vary by program, but competitive applicants usually show strong academic preparation, relevant experience, clear goals, strong recommendation letters, a focused statement of purpose, and fit with the program. Summer is valuable because it gives students time to improve the parts of the application that cannot be fixed overnight.

Use the summer to become a clearer, stronger applicant: gain experience, build relationships, write early, and make smarter program choices. If you are staying near campus for summer research, internships, or classes, compare off-campus housing options on SkipTheDorm.