We are planning to attend the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. Has anyone attended? We are using partly as a family vacation. I’m interested in asking some questions of someone who attended last year. Thanks!
Never heard of it, but I found some info.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1709730-national-academy-of-future-scientists-and-technologists-what-is-this.html
Briggs, it is a money making scam. Dont waste your $ or time going.
Usually these types of things are not a scam, per se…but you need to figure out is the benefit worth it.
Is it something that is looked at as an awesome thing by colleges? No
Is it something that will expose him to some speakers about science/technology? Yes.
Is it something that will have him in an academic oriented program with similarly oriented peers? yes.
Is it worth the money?
I think this is a good description of this type of program, of which there are many:
My take is this: this is a business. It is not an academically recognized body, i.e. it won’t increase your chances of getting accepted to a university. Basically I consider these organizations tour/conference agencies: they put together a conference with content targeted to an interest group and charge money for that. Nothing wrong with that. Regarding the honors aspect of the conference… well, I don’t know the mechanics of their selection process, so they may invite only bright students or just mass mail anyone interested. So while there may be an element of “honors” selection to their process, it is certainly not an official, university/government-credited honors program. They can call it whatever they want but that doesn’t make them an official honors program. Hey, I belong to the Hilton Honors program and all I have to do is stay there.
So you should take it for what it is: a conference for youngsters interested in the STEM field. Judging by their lineup, it seems like a worthwhile investment for somebody who wants to be inspired… Forget about the “honors” aspect of this. At best, it is a sales pitch. So without that, you are left with a seemingly nicely organized professional conference just like any other.
Is it worth $1000? That is up to you. Just like a vacation to Paris. Is it worth the price? it is if you are getting personal enjoyment out of it.
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We attended the 2015 Congress of Future Scientists and Technologists along with our son and it was a very informative and inspiring event. I am amazed at the amount of negative comments and can only attribute it to not having a full understanding of what these conferences are actually about. This is not a class, although through Washington Adventist University, you may receive 1 college credit if you complete their course requirements. This is not something special to put on your college application. It is an experience that brings together a group of scientists, visionaries, and motivational speaker to broaden your child’s world view and inspire them to pursue their dreams in the field of STEM. Oftentimes schools are greatly lacking in STEM content and are not geared toward highly motivated students. Everyone leads different lives, however this was a great opportunity for our child to meet a Nobel Prize winner, Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, or Entrepreneurs like Dean Kaem in person. Our son left with a renewed sense of confidence and purpose and as soon as we got home started working again on experimental projects that had given him difficulty. He also left with a bunch of business cards and contact information from fellow attendees and is already starting to collaborate with them on different projects.
As far as the cost of the program, we travel for our professional conferences each year and you must pay for your membership, each event/class, travel, lodging, and food. We easily expend triple the cost of this conference, however, we feel the benefit derived is immeasurable. The cost and time involved in putting something like this on is enormous. We don’t begrudge any compensation that the company putting on the Congress (or any conference we attend) makes- if we could put the Congress on ourselves, we would. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Congress and would have paid to attend ourselves. Everything we do in life is an investment, it’s just a matter of where your priorities lie.
It seems you got so inspired by this congress that you decided to create a new CC account, track every thread discussing this organization and post the same glowing review. Not difficult to guess where your priorities lie.
How old is your child anyway? The one that left with renewed confidence and purpose.
Of course, it is a bona fide institution. Just like all those others 4 letters organizations that sell a stack of glossy papers and gold seals to a bunch of credulous nitwits:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1657765-congress-of-future-medical-leaders.html
Despite many repeated efforts, the shills for such organizations will find these soils pretty tough to seed. Most people on CC are not that naïve.
My son went and said it was the best experience of his life! I watched the online stream and it was so inspiring. My son loved it and I would send him again next year!
What a surprise. A number of new posters who magically find this forum to laud the greatness of a crooked organization. How subtle!