Stevens Institute of Technology: Admissions Blog

The Stevens Summer: Hands-On Programs for High School Students

Stevens Institute of Technology has long been known for its legacy of preparing college students to be leaders and innovators of the future. Did you know that we also prepare pre-college students? 

The Stevens Summer is an ideal way for high school students to gain experience in a particular field, get a feel for campus life, explore New York City, visit Fortune 500 companies in the tri-state area, and interact with peers from around the world. All programs are residential – meaning students live in residence halls on the Stevens campus – are taught by members of our campus academic community and are closely supervised by professional and trained student staff.

Students are immersed in specialized, hands-on programs like the flagship Exploring Career Options in Engineering & Science (ECOES) program, now in its 34^th year.  The program centers around project-based learning exploring many different fields of science and engineering, with students working in teams to accomplish project goals. In addition, they take special trips in and around New York City, all of which are included in the cost of the program.

High school senior Keara Saud was a participant in The Stevens Summer 2011 and said, “ECOES was such a great experience for me on both a social and an academic level. I went into it expecting to gain a better understanding of engineering and left with not only that, but also amazing friends. I don't think I can choose any one thing that I liked most because it was all so great!”

This summer, Stevens is offering three sessions of ECOES to meet growing demand for this highly engaging program: June 17-20, July 8-20, and July 22-August 3.

Last year, Stevens expanded the summer program offerings to provide the same great type of hands-on experience for students interested in careers in business, multimedia production, and computer science. Those programs will be available again this summer.

The Business program is a one-week program that provides an opportunity to develop fundamental business and technical skills and explore interests in business, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship and get a taste of the real world of business students and professionals. Program participants also get to visit the New York Stock Exchange.

“While I hoped to learn about the different elements of a business curriculum, I didn't expect the program to be as interactive as it was. This made it more valuable and enjoyable,” asserts Stephen Rienzi about the Business Summer Intensive. “I really learned a lot not only from the subjects presented, but from the group project and the feedback we were given.”

Two sessions of the Business program are being offered: July 8-15 and July 22-29.

The Multimedia Production program is a two-week program for students interested in visual and audio arts, learning about audio engineering and videography, and working together with professional equipment in the Stevens Media Arts Center, green screen room, and a nearby recording studio  to create a soundtrack and produce a video.

“Little did I know how hands-on it was going to be,” said Cara Realmuto, who was on-campus last summer for the Multimedia Production program. “It was great to start a project from the very beginning and put it all together for a finished product, with professionals helping you along the way.”

The Multimedia Production program will be held July 8-20.

The Computer Science program is an exciting and engaging one-week program that will give students insight into aspects of computer science that fuel, enable, and protect our information-driven economy. This project-based program teaches fundamental problem-solving skills while providing hands-on experience in many of the most exciting areas of computer science today, such as web technologies, cybersecurity, and system administration, among others. Students also get an insider’s view of the professional world with a visit to a Fortune 500 company.

The Computer Science program will be held July 22- July 29

More information about The Stevens Summer can be found online at www.stevens.edu/precollege. The priority deadline to apply is April 1, but applications will be accepted through May 15.

 

The Freshman Experience at Stevens

Hello college-bound friends! We recently had the opportunity to speak with a number of freshmen about their first year here at Stevens and thought you would like to know what a few of them shared.

There are so many factors in considering which college will be a good fit for you, and we know that you are most likely juggling a lot of college information in addition to staying on top of your high school course load, extracurricular activities, and other college preparation. We hope reading what some of our freshmen have to say will give you insight and perhaps some relief in your process of exploring Stevens as an option, especially if you are wondering what it is like once you’re a student here!

Tom Cruz is a computer engineering major who was sold, he said, on Stevens early on in his college search, and especially once he visited campus. He applied through Early Decision, was accepted, and got a head start on meeting fellow freshman by enrolling in the Outdoor Adventure Pre-orientation Program offered right before freshman orientation. “I went backpacking and had the time of my life,” he said. “Hiking the Adirondack Mountains with my future classmates created a bond that will last a lifetime. Coming back to campus with a group of friends I’d made during Pre-orientation made for an easy transition to the beginning of my college career. As the semester commenced, I got involved with many clubs on campus, including the Latin American Association, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Entertainment Committee. I also ran for Senator of the Student  Government Association (SGA) and was one of fourteen who won the election.” During his first semester here, Tom also got the opportunity to attend a SHPE conference in Anaheim, California, which included seminars on leadership and professionalism and a career fair at which companies were recruiting students for internships and co-op jobs. “I take pride in being a Stevens student,” he added. “My first semester in college was full of great memories that will stay with me forever, and I know there will be many more in store for me in the semesters to come.”

Carolina Pelaez is a chemical engineering major from Union City High School Academy for Enrichment and Advancement. She said her favorite thing about her first semester at Stevens has been learning how to balance schoolwork and other things that are important to her. “I managed to handle school, friends, family, and extracurricular activities,” she said. “It’s important to get a solid grip on how to handle all these aspects of the college experience. I imagine it’s only going to get more challenging each semester, and it wouldn’t be to my advantage at all if I only learned how to manage the coursework. We all need activities outside the classroom, and at Stevens, it's easy to get involved in all that the university has to offer. No matter what you're interested in, there's something for you.”  

Sean Balanon is a music and technology major who said he appreciates having been able to meet and learn more about his fellow music and technology classmates and his professors during freshman orientation. Like Tom, Sean also participated in Pre-orientation. He chose the Performing Arts option and along with 20 other freshmen got to write and rehearse a show that they performed for the school. “We took theatre workshops in which we learned about acting, dancing, and what goes on behind the scenes of a stage production, like sound, lighting and music,” he said. “We also jumped over to New York City to take a tour of Lincoln Center, the world’s leading performing arts center. Of course the experience wouldn’t be complete without seeing a Broadway show or two. We saw the revival of RENT at the New World Stages theatre, and How to Succeed in Business starring Daniel Radcliffe.” Sean added that his freshman experience has been fantastic. “As a music and technology major, I’m learning everything that I want to and need to from the courses I’m taking. The environment is great. Being situated so close to New York City is truly amazing. The Manhattan skyline is breathtaking, and there are so many things to do on and off campus. There is never a dull moment!”

Allison Outwater is majoring in both civil engineering and mechanical engineering. As you can probably guess, pursuing dual majors means she’s highly dedicated to her studies. That doesn't take her away, however, from other activities. “I’m originally from Wall Township High School in central New Jersey. Stevens is a huge change from high school for me, but it has been a very good change," she said. "I’ve joined the Society of Women Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Engineers Without Borders, the Stevens Dramatic Society, Silkscreeners (a T-shirt making group), and the Entertainment Committee, student group that plans many of the large events on  campus. Through each of these groups, I have met a vast group of people and become close to so many different kinds of people. I chose Stevens for the amazing opportunities here and the close-knit community. I wanted the chance to be seen as more than a number.” Reflecting on her first semester, Allison said she “fell in love” with Stevens even more so once she got here. “For all the reasons I chose Stevens and because of what I’ve experienced first-hand now as a student – the coursework and resources, the student life, the great faculty – I’m very pleased.”

Like Sean said, there really is never a dull moment at Stevens. To learn more, visit www.stevens.edu or speak to an Admissions staff member at 800.STEVENS. We are always happy to assist!

The Stevens Summer: Programs for High School Students

July - August 2011

Multimedia Production,  Business, 

or Engineering & Science 

    Each summer, talented high school students from around the world diverge from traditional summer break plans to participate in The Stevens Summer.   Why? 

    Because The Stevens Summer is about challenge, discovery and exploration, in interesting fields of study but also in friendship and fun!  

        

    Add the benefit of Stevens' amazing location, and it's an unbeatable proposition for the summer break.  Living on campus in Hoboken, New Jersey, on the banks of the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan is exciting!      

    If you're a rising junior or senior in high school who is interested in engineering, science, business or multi-media production, The Stevens Summer should be on your radar.  Apply Today!

    Take it from a past participant...                                           

"Every day was a new adventure into the world of engineering. We worked together in labs with professors from the college and met with professionals in the field from large companies like Becton Dickinson and Schering-Plough. One of the most rewarding parts of the program was learning about each specific field in engineering, ranging from mechanical to chemical engineering, through real field lab experience. We also competed in numerous engineering competitions: a programming competition (my group won!), a naval engineering design competition (we sank), and a chemical-biology bubble gum competition (we won - pineapple flavor!), among many others. However, the program brought much more into my life than experience in engineering. It brought me a taste of college life." 

     

Stevens Senior Engineers Jacob Latimore Hit

Dan Smith, a senior in the Music & Technology department at Stevens Institute of Technology has fulfilled his dream – before graduating! His goal – to be part of a #1 hit pop song - has been realized through engineering.  

Smith engineered the song "This or That" for the new 14-year-old R&B star Jacob Latimore.  It is marketed in retail stores internationally via Universal, EMI and SONY Records as part of NOW That's What I Call Music 37.

 

“The one thing I told professors when I started at Stevens is that my goal is to get a number one album before I graduate and I did,” said Smith.

 

“To make the Billboard 200 charts at number one is an amazing feat for any music professional let alone a student,” said David Musial, Industry Affiliate Professor in the Music & Technology Program. “This is just the beginning for Smith.”

 

Smith has interned at many major record labels in the past two years and in his early days was part of the Stevens Multimedia, Castle Point Records venture. Leveraging his engineering experience, he hopes to become a producer in the industry and work with as many new artists as possible.

 

 “I feel fortunate to be part of a number one album while I’m still in school,” said Smith. “My goal after graduation is to be an A-list producer.”

 

Dan will graduate in May just after completing his thesis which explores the art of launching a new pop star.