Helping Students Make It to College: Evidence-Based Design Principles for Reducing Summer Melt

In this research brief, we examine the phenomenon of summer melt—when college-intending high school graduates fail to matriculate—and outline evidence-based strategies schools and districts can use to help students successfully transition to college. Drawing on rigorous studies of real-world programs, we identify four effective models to reduce summer melt: behavioral nudges and messaging, counselor-led summer outreach, peer or near-peer mentoring, and summer bridge programs. Across these models, strong evidence shows that timely, personalized communication, support with financial aid and complex enrollment tasks, trusted relationships, and availability of summer advising can meaningfully increase college enrollment and persistence, particularly for low-income and first-generation students. We also discuss the systemic conditions that enable these efforts and clarify how districts can target resources to students at greatest risk. Overall, this brief aims to equip K–12 leaders with clear, actionable guidance to strengthen postsecondary transitions and ensure more students make it to campus in the fall.