USNA Summer STEM

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cyclist2028

USAFA Hopeful Class of '28
Joined
Oct 14, 2021
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Hello, I am a high school sophomore looking into summer programs/camps offered at the service academies to get a better taste of academy life. I decided to look into USNA summer STEM, and I am working on the application before the deadline. Does anyone know how competitive these programs are to get into? I haven't taken any standardized tests (Pre-SAT, SAT, etc), so will this possibly decrease my chances?
 
I do think they do an initial review to make sure the applicant is qualified to attend, but after that I think it is more a matter of luck. My DS (now waiting hopefully for appointment to USNA and already has West Point) attended Summer Stem at USNA and loved it. At the time he did not have scores to post on STEM application and still got in. COVID has made things over the last couple years a little strange. Good luck and apply as soon as possible!
 
MarTac said:
I do think they do an initial review to make sure the applicant is qualified to attend, but after that I think it is more a matter of luck. My DS (now waiting hopefully for appointment to USNA and already has West Point) attended Summer Stem at USNA and loved it. At the time he did not have scores to post on STEM application and still got in. COVID has made things over the last couple years a little strange. Good luck and apply as soon as possible!
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Thank you very much and good luck to your DS!
 
I too submitted the application this year (in early January)! No word yet, I'm checking spam folder (more than 😅) once daily haha. I have no idea how exactly admissions works for this program, but be sure to build up your credentials as much as possible, and really use those xx number of characters they give you for the essay! I hope to see you there :)

You might as well put in an application, worst they can do is say no, and it's quite quick.
 
galahadthebrave said:
I too submitted the application this year (in early January)! No word yet, I'm checking spam folder (more than 😅) once daily haha. I have no idea how exactly admissions works for this program, but be sure to build up your credentials as much as possible, and really use those xx number of characters they give you for the essay! I hope to see you there :)

You might as well put in an application, worst they can do is say no, and it's quite quick.
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Thank you and good luck to you too! I just found out about this program so hopefully my application is not too late lol
 
MarTac said:
I think it is more a matter of luck.
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No, it’s not a matter of luck. It’s a matter of being true to the mission of Summer Seminar. The SAs’ summer programs’ primary goal is outreach to potentially competitive candidates from underrepresented groups, e.g. ethnic, racial, region, community. That does not necessarily mean that every SS attendee fits this bill. Some might be highly competitive candidates for full appointment, to whom the SA wants to give a “sneak preview” as they consider other top schools.

Because of this mission, candidates are not simply racked and stacked. That’s why you may see some with “better credentials” get turned down for SS. But remember that, come time for real appointments, it’s not rack-and-stack either. As you surely know, there’s a lot more to this than someone’s GPA and SAT/ACT that you may be privy to.
 
As far as your post refers to “Summer Seminar” and I was speaking more to “Summer STEM” - (what the original post was speaking to and a younger group) when I spoke with admissions concerning my youngest son’s attendance, once the qualify the attendees some of it (at least when he was attending) was a lottery system of qualified applicants. I am sure Summer Seminar selection is a more precise mix as the attendees are closer to applying. The Academy always has many more qualified applicants than can be accommodate - even taking regional demographics and diversity into the mix.
 
MarTac said:
As far as your post refers to “Summer Seminar” and I was speaking more to “Summer STEM”
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You’re correct that the OP was re Summer STEM and I was speaking about SS. I’ll defer to you and your direct discussion with admissions re the former. Thanks for clarifying.
 
AeroB2 said:
Hello, I am a high school sophomore looking into summer programs/camps offered at the service academies to get a better taste of academy life. I decided to look into USNA summer STEM, and I am working on the application before the deadline. Does anyone know how competitive these programs are to get into? I haven't taken any standardized tests (Pre-SAT, SAT, etc), so will this possibly decrease my chances?
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It's a rolling admissions process, so the later you wait, the more competitive it gets. Usually, around 5000 apply, and only 260 applicants are selected for each section, so about 5%. However, it's unclear if the 5000 is for all sessions, not just one, in which case you jump up to about 16% acceptance rate. Regardless, go ahead and apply! Make sure to nail that personal statement, and make sure each of the 1000 characters has a purpose (except for of course the spaces that are counted). The lack of test scores might hinder you, but as long as you have a competitive GPA and class rank, you should be ok as long as you nail that personal statement and are involved in extracurriculars. Again, these are outreach programs and aren't designed to indicate that you're going to be accepted when the real application comes around next year for you. It's a great program, but it is by no means make or break. Do your best, and start preparing for the Summer Seminar App next year! Hope to see you at the rising Juniors session for STEM!
 
robinolds'mustache said:
It's a rolling admissions process, so the later you wait, the more competitive it gets. Usually, around 5000 apply, and only 260 applicants are selected for each section, so about 5%. However, it's unclear if the 5000 is for all sessions, not just one, in which case you jump up to about 16% acceptance rate. Regardless, go ahead and apply! Make sure to nail that personal statement, and make sure each of the 1000 characters has a purpose (except for of course the spaces that are counted). The lack of test scores might hinder you, but as long as you have a competitive GPA and class rank, you should be ok as long as you nail that personal statement and are involved in extracurriculars. Again, these are outreach programs and aren't designed to indicate that you're going to be accepted when the real application comes around next year for you. It's a great program, but it is by no means make or break. Do your best, and start preparing for the Summer Seminar App next year! Hope to see you at the rising Juniors session for STEM!
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This was really helpful! Thank you for the insight!
 
I applied right away January 4th. Seems you all are getting emails, I still haven’t gotten anything, and since I applied early and they do rolling admissions I assume I didn’t get in? Will they email me that I didn’t get in or is it just a no-response means I’m denied.
 
This thread is from last year. The date you applied doesn't necessarily change the date you hear back. Try not to worry about the silence, they are just reviewing your application. Last year I received an email that I was not accepted, I would expect if you were to be denied you would receive the same. They set a date they have until so it is up to you to stick it out until that date or until news comes. No need to email (or make assumptions about your status) before that date. Remember that Summer STEM is not necessary as a candidate or a reflection of your competitiveness for Summer Seminar or an appointment.
 
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