What are the Naval Academy seminars like?

Has anyone attended a seminar at the Naval Academy and can share what the experience was like? I'm thinking about signing up and want to know what to expect and how beneficial it is for applicants.

The U.S. Naval Academy offers two educational summer programs: the Summer Seminar and the STEM Camp. Both seek to offer a glimpse of life at the Academy and are designed to help students decide if a service academy is right for them.

The Summer Seminar is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high-achieving high school juniors going into their senior year. It's designed to give you a taste of the rigorous and challenging life as a midshipman. Through this program, you'd basically be experiencing the life of a "plebe" (a first-year midshipman) at the Naval Academy. You would take part in academic workshops, physical training, and intramural sports, much like a typical Naval Academy student. Additionally, you would get the opportunity to learn about Naval ethics, leadership, and other related topics.

The STEM Camp, on the other hand, is designed to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering, and math fields and to expose students to the potential career paths within these areas. Taking part in this camp can expose you to a variety of hands-on projects and group presentations.

These programs have been praised for providing a realistic look into the demands and rewards of the Naval Academy. Participating can provide a deeper understanding of the academy's values and traditions while providing you with first-hand experience of the discipline and commitment expected of midshipmen. Plus, it's great to note that U.S. service academies view participation in these programs positively when considering applications.

Just keep in mind that these programs are highly selective, often seeking students with strong academic records, extracurricular involvement and demonstrated leadership potential.