As an independent counselor, I've spent almost 10 years working with hundreds of high-achieving high school students and their families on college planning. Students I coach are regularly accepted to top schools like Harvard, Stanford and Princeton. In addition to academics and extracurriculars, a big part of my job is helping them plan meaningful school breaks. Summer is a consequential time for kids. It's an opportunity to recharge, build new relationships and explore their interests. When it