Landing a summer internship as a high school student might seem impossible, especially when you're competing against college students with more experience. But here's the secret that successful students know: most high school internships aren't found through traditional job boards—they're created through strategic networking and compelling cold outreach.
For students serious about college admissions counseling success and building impressive applications for Ivy League admissions, mastering the cold email is an essential skill. It's not just about getting an internship; it's about demonstrating the initiative and professionalism that top universities value.
📘 Before you dive in, watch our "How High School Students Can Find Summer Internships and Stand Out on College Applications" webinar, hosted by Dewey Smart founder and CEO, Michael Gao. In just 30 minutes, you’ll learn how to unlock meaningful summer opportunities—no application portals required:
✅ How to write cold emails that actually get replies
✅ Where to find hidden internships professionals don’t advertise
✅ What to say if you don’t have experience yet
✅ Real examples from students who made it work—even in June
Most internship opportunities for high school students aren't publicly advertised. Professors need research assistants, small companies need extra help with projects, and professionals are often willing to mentor motivated students—but these opportunities rarely make it to job boards.
Cold emailing taps into this hidden market by:
This proactive approach is particularly valuable for students targeting how to get into top universities, where demonstrated leadership and initiative are crucial differentiators.
Before crafting your email, remember that you're reaching out to busy professionals who receive dozens of emails daily. Your success depends on quickly communicating:
Generic emails get deleted immediately. Successful cold emails demonstrate that you've researched the recipient and understand their work. This research serves multiple purposes for your college application process:
Example: "Hi Dr. Smith, I'm a junior at Lincoln High School in California. I read your recent research on sustainable urban planning and was fascinated by your findings on green roof efficiency in reducing urban heat islands."
Why this works:
Example: "I'd love 15 minutes to discuss how I could help with data collection for your upcoming study on community garden impact assessment. Through my AP Statistics coursework and volunteer work with local environmental groups, I've developed strong analytical skills and community connections that could support your research."
Key elements:
Example: "I'm particularly interested in environmental policy and hope to study urban planning in college. Learning from your work would provide invaluable real-world experience. I'm available for 15 hours per week this summer and would be thrilled to contribute to your research."
Essential components:
As a high school student, you might feel like you have nothing to offer. Here's how to reframe your perspective:
Instead of: "I don't know how to code, so I can't help with data analysis."Try: "I'm eager to learn data analysis and could start by helping with manual data cleaning and organization while developing coding skills."
Instead of: "I've never worked in a professional setting."Try: "My experience organizing school fundraisers has taught me project coordination and attention to detail that would transfer well to research assistance."
High school students actually have several advantages:
Here's the reality that most students don't understand: cold emailing is a numbers game. Expect these ratios:
This isn't failure—it's how networking works for everyone, including experienced professionals. The key is building this into your expectations and staying persistent without getting discouraged.
Each follow-up should add value:
Sending the same email to dozens of recipients is immediately obvious and ineffective. Quality over quantity always wins.
Avoid phrases like "I'll do anything" or "I really need this internship." Instead, focus on mutual benefit and professional value.
Busy professionals won't read long emails. Keep it concise—3-4 short paragraphs maximum.
Many students send one email and give up. The follow-up is often what secures the opportunity.
Better to send 20 highly researched, personalized emails than 100 generic ones. Each email should demonstrate genuine interest in that specific person's work.
Cold emailing skills serve you far beyond high school internships:
For students working with college counseling services or Dewey Smart admissions support, these networking skills become valuable examples of leadership and initiative for college applications.
Success with cold emailing requires patience, persistence, and genuine curiosity about the field you're exploring. The goal isn't just to land any internship—it's to find meaningful experiences that contribute to your growth and college application narrative.
Remember, every professional you contact was once a student looking for opportunities. Many are eager to pay forward the mentorship they received, but they need to see that you're serious, prepared, and genuinely interested in learning.
Ready to navigate the UCs competitive admissions landscape with confidence?
Need help crafting compelling cold emails and building your internship strategy? Dewey Smart's comprehensive college admissions counseling includes personalized guidance on networking, internship search strategies, and professional communication skills that serve you throughout high school and beyond. Contact us today to develop your personalized roadmap to college success.
