Stevens Institute of Technology: Admissions Blog

Undergraduate Research Fosters Innovation

Research has been a core value of the Stevens Institute of Technology education since its founding. From the Scholars Program to Technogenesis to Senior Design, research serves as a critical foundation of the Stevens experience, where undergraduates are engaged in sophisticated research usually reserved for graduate students at other universities. Stevens students look forward to and thrive on hands-on, practical research and its applications, in many instances seeing their work published, reach the patent stage, and/or presented at conferences.

Each year, students participate in a Research Colloquium, where they are able to share their research and outcomes with their peers, faculty, and industry partners. Projects run the gamut, covering topics in each major discipline.

Jennifer Wehof, an environmental engineering major and cooperative education student currently in her fourth year at Stevens, is working on a project entitled “After the Storm: Beach Recovery” as part of the Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering department. Through the Scholars Program, she has worked with Dr. Jon Miller in the Davidson Laboratory since her freshman year. When this research opportunity became available, Jennifer wanted to work on it, but she also knew she wanted to study abroad. Dr. Miller helped her balance both, and Jennifer was able to spend this past summer in the Netherlands while continuing her research. The project has since been submitted for inclusion in the International Conference for Coastal Engineering, which will be held in Spain this coming summer. If chosen, her advisor in Holland will present their work at the conference, where Jenny hopes to join him.

“Research is so important because it helps you be innovative and learn to form your own conclusions and ideas. Instead of relying on other people to tell me what’s next, I can research and figure it out on my own,” Jennifer explains. “Working on this project has opened my mind to other opportunities – I’m now considering a Ph.D. program. I can see myself being a professor and helping students the way my professors have helped me.” Jennifer also credits Study Abroad as a key component of her Stevens experience: “Being able to do research abroad was incredible, but being immersed in another culture while continuing my studies was invaluable.”

Thomas Tritt says he has always been interested in research because his dream is to pursue medical school after graduating from Stevens. Through the Technogenesis Summer Scholars Program, Thomas, a junior biomedical engineering student, has been involved with a project (“Development and Evaluation of a Novel, Real-Time Mobile Telesonography System in Management of Abdominal Trauma”) in conjunction with Hackensack Medical Center, working under Dr. Vikki Hazelwood and Ph.D. student Marissa Gray.

“Last summer, I was developing a protocol and collecting data for the project, but this summer I will be able to go even deeper into the project, helping Marissa publish a paper for her Ph.D.,” Thomas says. “It’s partially funded by the Department of Defense, so I will get to do research and data collection for them as well.” Thomas defines his research experience as allowing him to reach a “higher level of understanding for a particular field.” He hopes to focus on research in medical school and credits Technogenesis with helping him accomplish his goals at Stevens. He is also pursuing an Entrepreneurship minor, which he feels compliments his studies and research by helping provide fundamentals: “Entrepreneurship is the spirit of Technogenesis!” he adds. “Stevens provides an excellent educational background for students and then also affords them the real-life opportunities to do research hands-on,” Thomas asserts.

On another end of the spectrum, Stevens students are also participating in research that combines science and technology with art and music. Nick Catania, who is set to graduate in May, has a double major in physics & engineering physics and music & technology. His project – “Research and Development of an Interactive Learning Display for the Liberty Science Center” – has the potential to go live in the very near future. Nick knew he wanted to do something unique that would increase his knowledge in sound design and recording but also go a step further to really allow him a chance to conduct innovative research. With the help of his advisor David Musial, he met with the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City and the idea for creating a music video production experience for school children was immediately embraced. Though there are many layers in the development of this project, Nick is proud that he has been able to have a hand in them all. His advice to other researchers: Don’t ever be afraid to explore.

“When I first looked at this project, I was not thinking about the computer science part, but I explored and taught myself the programming language,” he explains. “I never thought I’d be where I am today when this started, but I wasn’t afraid to explore. Knowing the potential result continues to drive me.” Hoping to complete the project before graduation, Nick is excited to be able to give back to a younger generation through this music video display. Nick hopes that if it is successful at the Liberty Science Center, it will be replicated at other science centers. “If it has the impact I’m hoping, it will allow children to truly see the transfer of information between science and art. It will give them something to hold onto, and be inspired.”

Another project fusing science and art is “Building Immersive Image-Based Visualization Environments” that Caroline Amaba and Zachary Moy worked on together with advisor Brian Moriarty. Caroline will receive dual degrees in computer science and art & technology when she graduates in May 2012. The project started as a way to explore new ideas for incorporating research into art & technology. Together, they built the foundation for what they’ve nicknamed EVE – Explorable Visual Environs.

“For me, research was learning in a different way. It takes it way further than the classroom; because it is so hands-on, it helps you retain what you’re learning, and I really enjoyed that,” Caroline states. “We had to make our own goals and figure out what needed to be done. That was invaluable.”

In addition, Caroline and Zak co-authored two papers with their advisor that were accepted to two conferences. Professor Moriarty will present the paper Utilizing Explorable Visual Environments for Experiential Applications at the Conference on Systems Engineering Research in St. Louis this summer and Zak presented Implementation of Explorable Visual Environments for Cultural Heritage and Experience Applications at the International Conference & Expo on Emerging Technologies for a Smarter World in Hauppauge, NY last year.

“This project gave me so many new ideas for my art & technology final project as well. It has been an incredible resume boost and is helping to guide me to where I want to go in the future,” Caroline concludes.

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 Interview, an Important Part of Your Application Process

If you’ve done your research or begun your formal application to Stevens Institute of Technology, you may be wondering, “Why does Stevens require an interview for all applicants?” At Stevens, we believe a personal interview is a critical step in the application process because it gives us an opportunity to get to know you and learn more than what is on your application. Through the interview, we hope to understand more about your interests in and out of the classroom. We also feel that the interview is a great way for you to learn more about Stevens, and we encourage you to come prepared with questions for us.

The interview is a one-on-one meeting between a prospective student (either applied or planning to apply) and a member of the Undergraduate Admissions staff.  For students living within 250 miles of our campus in Hoboken, NJ, this is done in person.  Students outside that radius may visit campus for an interview or conduct one over the phone.  The interview takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes and time is reserved afterwards for family members to join the meeting and ask questions about the admissions process and Stevens. Tours of campus are also available either before or after the interview if you have not already taken one.  Please budget an additional hour for this experience.

Don’t quite imagine yourself on the other side of the application and admission process yet? Take a look at our student blogs. Our bloggers update frequently, so you can also subscribe to all or any of the blog feeds to get real-time, ongoing reflections and advice from those who know Stevens best and want to tell you about it throughout the year – photos, videos, comments about school and social life, it’s all there. Check out Michael’s blog for starters.  A sophomore at Stevens, he was once where you are now!

We look forward to learning more about you from our interactions and wish you all the best in the college admissions process.

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." 

     

Chasing a Sailing Goal

Stevens Graduate Works to Compete in 2012 Olympics

Efe Kuyumcu was seven years old the first time he went sailing. Neighbors at a vacation village where he was with family offered to take the youngster out for an afternoon on the water. When he returned to shore the boy was hooked but it would be another five years before he sailed again.

“I thought about it a lot,” said Kuyumcu, a native of Turkey and recent Stevens graduate. “But the sailing club by us closed down and we soon moved to a different area.”

Fueled by determination and desire when Kuyumcu turned twelve he was able to return to the water. He was named to the Turkish junior national sailing team and competed heavily between 1998 and 2003, winning several prestigious competitions.

Things were moving along smoothly for Kuyumcu until he was grounded with an injury at the age of 18. It was at that time Kuyumcu began thinking about his future. Not only in the sport of sailing, but academically.

That is how he wound up in Hoboken, N.J. along the banks of the Hudson River at Stevens Institute of Technology. He decided to turn his passion for the water into a full-fledged career.

In 2006 he enrolled in the Naval Engineering program at Stevens and graduated this past December with a Bachelor of Science degree. Kuyumcu kept his thoughts in sailing and began a strict exercise regimen to heal his injuries and strengthen himself.

“In the morning I would do endurance exercises like running, cycling, and rowing,” he said. “During the day I would go to class and then have another work out.”

One thing he did not do, however, was sail.  Not only was it going to be difficult to find an Olympic Class Heavyweight sailboat that he could use on a regular basis while living in New Jersey, but also the swift currents of the Hudson River were not conducive for effective training.

So he focused on the exercise and also learned new things about sailing from his courses. Armed with the new information, when Kuyumcu finally got back on the water, he was a stronger, smarter sailor.

“It is now easier for me to understand the water, and make me a bit faster when sailing,” he said of his Naval Engineering knowledge. “Now I can factor in the elements from what I learned at Stevens.”

His hard work paid off and late last year Kuyumcu was re-elected to the Turkish Olympic Sailing Team of 2011. Over the next year and a half Kuyumcu and another athlete will compete and eventually, one will be selected to compete in the 2012 Olympics to be held in London.

While focused on those games, he is also setting his sights on the 2016 Olympics and a chance to represent his country – and Stevens – in Rio de Janeiro

When asked how his life has changed since his recent graduation, Kuyumcu says that he has maintained his exercise schedule only now he uses the time spent in class on the water.

It is when he is out there, alone on the water, that he is most focused these days. “It’s instinct, but it feels right. It’s why I keep going back to it,” he said. “It just feels right.”

The Interview, an Important Step in the Admissions Process

If you’ve done your research or begun your formal application to Stevens Institute of Technology, you may be wondering, “Why does Stevens require an interview for all applicants?”

At Stevens, we believe a personal interview is a critical step in the application process because it gives us an opportunity to get to know you and learn more than what is on your application. Through the interview, we hope to understand more about your interests in and out of the classroom. We also feel that the interview is a great way for you to learn more about Stevens, and we encourage you to come prepared with questions for us.

The interview is a one-on-one meeting between a prospective student (either applied or planning to apply) and a member of the Undergraduate Admissions staff.  For students living within 250 miles of our campus in Hoboken, NJ, this is done in person.  Students outside that radius may visit campus for an interview or conduct one over the phone.  The interview takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, and time is reserved afterwards for family members to join the meeting and ask questions about the admissions process and Stevens. Tours of campus are also available either before or after the interview, and we suggest you budget an additional hour for this experience.

Don’t quite imagine yourself on the other side of the application and admission process yet? Take a look at our student blogs.  Our bloggers update frequently, so you can also subscribe to all or any of the blog feeds to get real-time, ongoing reflections and advice from those who know Stevens best and want to tell you about it throughout the year.  Photos, videos, comments about school and social life, it’s all here! We look forward to interacting with you.

Building a Career: Alexis Sowuleski Makes a Perfect Transition

From her first semester as a Business & Technology student, Alexis Sowuleski was already a frequent flyer in the Office of Career Development. She worked with the staff to refine her resume and discover internship opportunities tailored to underclassmen. "I attended various networking events and company information sessions and also participated in Career Development’s externship program, where I shadowed an alumna at Citigroup. I ultimately secured a clinical operations position at Schering-Plough (now Merck) through the spring career fair. I returned to the company for a second summer as an information technology intern, focusing on business analysis of a global application integration project," Alexis explains.

Over the course of her sophomore and junior years, Alexis was introduced to the financial services realm by several upperclassmen in her program. "Prior to gaining their insight, I assumed the banking world was just for accountants, finance majors, and number crunchers, not the hybrid business and technology students that Stevens produces. Looking back, I couldn’t have been more wrong," Alexis says.

Through the Career Development Office, Alexis secured an interview with JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the fall of her junior year and received an internship offer within the Investment Management Americas group as a technology analyst -- all before midterms. She was then invited to keep her position part-time throughout the year. "As my senior year began, I accepted a full-time position in the firm’s Corporate Development Program, which is a two-year training program designed to develop the company’s future leaders," Alexis explains. She began the program in July, two months after graduating from Stevens. "I look forward to my career at JPMC and can attribute my success not only to the academic preparation Stevens has given me, but also to the support the Office of Career Development provided to me throughout my tenure as a student," she says.

"Although the financial services industry is enormous, Stevens’ footprint across the banks has made it seem like a small world," says Alexis. "I’m in constant contact with my peers and older Stevens alumni at JPMC as well as other institutions, and I am confident this network will be a great resource throughout my career.”

Alexis is also currently pursuing her MBA in Project Management at Stevens.

Meet Ellyn and Mike, our newest student bloggers

Ellyn
Sophomore
Mechanical Engineering

Read Ellyn's Blog

Mike
Junior
Music and Technology

Read Mike's Blog

Nick Gkionis, '06, Blogs from "Beyond the Pond"

In the summer of 2007, Nick Gkionis, '06, signed a contract to play professional soccer with MEAP Nisou of the Cypriot Second Division in Cyprus. Now, he's blogging about his experience on the Athletics site.

Check It Out!!! Our Students Are Blogging!!!

And, now, for the first time anywhere, please allow me to introduce:  Freshman Computer Science Major, Alex, Sophomore Chemical Biology Major, Neha, and coming to you from Spain, Junior Mechanical Engineering Major Natalia!!!     They are our Stevens student bloggers and are here to tell you all about what their lives are like here at Stevens, or in Natalia's case, abroad in Spain.   Definitely read their stories, ask them questions, and feel free to talk to them through their blogs.   Let them know how cool you think their pictures are, or what your opinion might be on the Nintendo Wii, or even if you like their "song of the day".    They'd love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have!!   You can click on their blogs from my site or from our general admissions webpage www.stevens.edu/undergrad    Otherwise, here is their direct link:  http://www.stevens.edu/undergrad/blogs/  Enjoy!!!