STEM

Daddy_12

5-Year Member
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Sep 5, 2012
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I was just wondering if going to the STEM program over the summer would be beneficial to my application. I live in Ohio, so it would take a lot of time and money,which wouldn't be a problem, to attend. I was curious if It would be worth the hassle.
 
I was just wondering if going to the STEM program over the summer would be beneficial to my application. I live in Ohio, so it would take a lot of time and money,which wouldn't be a problem, to attend. I was curious if It would be worth the hassle.

My guess is that if you characterize it as a "hassle", then, it's probably not worth it. :smile:

My son has worked in the STEM program for 3 out of his 4 summers. He is the president (and founder) of the STEM ECA. He was the STEM commander this past summer. He has recently traveled to Prague with the Secretary of the Navy on a STEM-related program. So, we've talked about it a lot over the years.

I would say, for the most part - no - it does not significantly increase your chances of gaining admission when you consider the weight of all the other things that make you a competitive candidate. Attending STEM pales in comparison.
 
I would say yes...During Academy Day that my son attended this past Saturday, it was brought out by three different folks.

Common sence will tell you that if a kid applies, is accepted and pays his own way, he wants to be there. And "Want-to" means a hell of alot more than some of these things kids bring to the table.

Several folks down-played the STEM program in another thread...go read it.
 
I was just wondering if going to the STEM program over the summer would be beneficial to my application. I live in Ohio, so it would take a lot of time and money,which wouldn't be a problem, to attend. I was curious if It would be worth the hassle.
This one's the same thing as joining the Boy Scouts because you've seen USNA likes Eagles. It more often than not becomes transparent, exposing the truth that becoming an Eagle scout was not a passion and purpose, but rather an avenue to somewhere else. We're not always "found out" when we do these things, but they rarely succeed and in the end not a good way to live.

In his autobiography, General Schwartzkopf wrote about the time he contrived an assignment that he thought would "look good" and be a critical step in elevating and promoting his career. It was not, and in the end was unsatisfactory and diminishing. He vowed "Never again!" and followed both his heart and his orders hence forth.

Follow your heart and use your good head. :thumb:
 
STEM is not a major impact on a USNA Admissions decision. It MIGHT give you a tiny bump in that: (1) you've seen USNA and thus may have a somewhat better idea of what it's like, and (2) you've demonstrated an interest in STEM courses which are important to USNA. You would get an equial or greater bump by doing certain things in h.s. and your community (team captain, club president, great SATs, etc.).

That said, there are many, many reasons that young people can't attend STEM (cost being one) and thus USNA doesn't want to weight it very much in the admissions process.

STEM is primarily for the benefit of the participant in what you get out of the program, not giving you a leg up on admissions.
 
Thanks for the responses, we had something very similar to STEM at my old school, and I enjoyed it very much. Let me clearify my self, I said hassle refering to planning and paying for everything (taxies both ways, an airport ticket both ways, and paying for the program it's self). I would love to go, and thanks again for the help
 
My DD#2 (current 10th grader) went this past summer and loved it. She went because she is interested in engineering and math and wanted to be with others that felt the same way. I believe she felt it was worth both the time and other activities she gave up to go. I hope that helps.
M
 
My sister is an incredibly talented student and athlete, but she is only a freshman in highschool this year. Should I encourage her to go to STEM this summer?
 
My sister is an incredibly talented student and athlete, but she is only a freshman in highschool this year. Should I encourage her to go to STEM this summer?

If she is interested in STEM courses, yes. It's a great program. The reason to go is to get more excited about science, math, etc. and, as a bonus, to see a bit of USNA from the inside. However, it's not a substitute for NASS or CVW.
 
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