This article raises an interesting point of how much is at stake with writing a strong personal essay for college even though students are rarely taught to do this in high school. I know from last year it is a challenging genre to teach.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/education/09guidance-t.html?scp=10&sq=college%20essays&st=cse

Also, check out this article on resume building summer activities. How can access to higher education be fair?