What to expect from the Naval Academy Summer STEM program?

I'm a junior interested in STEM and considering the Naval Academy Summer STEM program. Can anyone share their experiences about what the program's like? I'd love to know what a typical day involves and how it might help with college applications.

Answer: The Naval Academy's Summer STEM program is a fantastic opportunity to explore STEM fields and get a sense of the Naval Academy's environment. The program's designed to be immersive and hands-on, helping students investigate practical applications of mathematics, science, and engineering principles.

During a typical day, you could expect to participate in a range of activities. Mornings might start with some hands-on lab work, which could be followed by lectures from professors, project-based learning, or team-based problem-solving simulations in the afternoon. Many activities revolve around real-world challenges and incorporate elements of practical learning, aiding in enhancing critical thinking and team collaboration skills.

Potential projects could include things like building a combat robot, formulating an environmental plan, designing a prosthetic device, constructing a bridge, or cracking a code in a computer science class. On top of these projects, you may have the opportunity to tour labs, visit with faculty from various departments, and explore the Naval Academy's campus and facilities.

The program could certainly strengthen your college application in a few ways. Firstly, it exposes you to rigorous STEM activities, which could be highlighted to demonstrate your interest and aptitude in these fields. Secondly, the experience could provide great material for college essays where you discuss your interest in STEM or any transformative experiences. Lastly, the program could be an excellent conversation point in college interviews, where you could discuss what you learned about team-work, leadership, problem-solving, and perseverance from the sessions.

Remember that while the program is reputable, colleges will not view it as being more influential than any other summer immersion program. To stand out, focus on crafting meaningful reflections on your experience and showcasing how it has shaped your interest in STEM. Include these reflections in college applications to demonstrate your personal growth and development in these fields as it aligns so well with your STEM interests. It's worth noting that, as with all such programs, how you leverage this experience in your essays and applications can often be more impactful than merely listing this program on your list of extracurriculars. Good luck!