<p>I did a search on the summer STEM program at the Naval Academy and only found one thread here that mentioned it, and none that commented on it. You hear a lot about CTY, Hopkins etc, but not that one. Does anyone know much about it? Is it just a chance for the USNA for showcase the school or is it really a good program? Would it look good on college apps? My D loves math and science and would be a rising jr. in HS at that point.</p>
<p>My wife attended the equivalent program at USAFA. It’s fun but really targeted more at getting students to attend that school. It worked in wife’s case.</p>
<p>My son attended as a rising junior…he went to sample different engineering disciplines since he was really unsure about what he wanted to do. He found that he didn’t care for things he expected to like, and found he loved what he thought he wouldn’t like. It really helped steer him in the direction of CSE. It is not really about selling the academy, but S said that most the kids were there because they wanted to attend. The application does ask about athletic activities and height/weight, so it must be a part of it. It is corporately funded…the idea is to expose more kids to engineering BEFORE they get to college…they believe it’s harder once they’re already there.</p>
<p>Eta…I have no idea if it helps with admissions, but doubtful since it’s only five days.</p>
<p>I’m not sure that summer programs in general (other than super prestigious ones like RSI) help on college applications, except to show that kids did something in the summer besides sitting around. </p>
<p>However, summer programs can help show a pattern of continuing interest in a topic (for example, attending MathCamp might not get you admitted somewhere, but it would be part of the picture for a math-y kid).</p>
<p>But, you should think about what else the student might get out of the camp. Has she had a chance to do much engineering stuff before? Is she perhaps interested in an academy or ROTC? </p>
<p>There are lots of short-term engineering camps and several specifically for high school girls. A quick google search brings up a lot. You should look around to find those that offer the best opportunity for your D to learn about engineering and whether she likes the field.</p>
<p>Yes, the one at the academies is so they can get a look at some possible students and for students who are considering the academies to see if they might like it. Gets a file started (app, unofficial but they do keep the stats if you decide to apply later), that’s why they ask for height/weight, GPA…</p>
<p>My sons did not do that particular summer programs but rather did other ones involving STEM. They did however apply to 3 of the academies, West Point, USNA, and USAFA and received appointments to all 3.</p>
<p>Some of the fellow appointees had done the summer programs, and it showed distinct interest in the academy. It was noted, and did play a part in their nominations and apppointments.</p>
<p>If you have serious interests in the academies there is a Service Academy Forum here on CC that will answer all your questions and then some!</p>
<p>They are a great group of people and can be more than supportive.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>They may actually be shooting themselves in the foot with some of these. D applied and was turned down in middle school. (Not that I understood that one either.) Now in high school she has no interest in the Naval Academy, in part because they turned her down. They keep sending her mail courting her. I just don’t get it.</p>
<p>Definitely check out [United</a> States of America Service Academy Forums - Powered by vBulletin](<a href=“http://www.serviceacademyforums.com%5DUnited”>http://www.serviceacademyforums.com) for more information. STEM and NASS are two different things for those of you who don’t realize it. NASS is only for rising seniors (Summer Seminar) and is more designed to “recruit” students to the academy. One of the biggest factors is geographic location so if you do have a student apply who doesn’t get in, realize that may be why and they still have a chance at the academies themselves. STEM is for rising 8-11th graders and has much more of an academic (not military) focus. Again they are targetting underrepresented areas, but also very much minority candidates. I had one son attend STEM and two attend NASS if anyone has any specific questions. Incidentally, STEM is free to participants, while NASS requires around a $350 fee (may have gone up). Since either of these are only week-long programs, I don’t think they have the same kind of credibility with top schools (ie Ivies, MIT) that CTY/Hopkins do but look impressive for most schools and as mentioned, show interest if the goal is an academy (not to mention of course the “behind the scenes” look).</p>
<p>My son participated twice in the USNA program in middle school. It is one of only very few opportunities middle schoolers have to attend a learning program for free and I would encourage others to apply.</p>
<p>Just to clarify on the summer STEM. It does cost $200.00 to attend the program. My 8th grade daughter was recently notified of her selection. The selection process is not simply based upon where you are from geographically, that’s a rather gross simplification of the process.</p>
<p>summer programs at the academies do help with academy admissions – much easier to write the ‘why academy?’ essay when you’ve been there and experienced it a little bit.</p>
<p>^ Hmmm, is that a new requirement? I don’t recall doing one.</p>