Best Summer Strategy for High School Freshman Interested in STEM

We love science-kids. Whether you are mad about math or an engineer of the future, majoring in a STEM field is an excellent choice for college. However, it is also a popular choice, especially when it comes to majors like engineering and computer science. Often, these types of majors represent the most challenging programs to get into at top schools. If you dream of getting accepted to an elite STEM program, it's never too late to start crafting a great resume. Freshman summer is the perfect time to jump in! But how? We are glad you asked.

Need help crafting an elite plan for summer? Contact us today!

Find Your Niche

Most colleges offer a lot of STEM majors. You need to zero in on the one you intend to pursue, whether it is chemistry, computer science, aerospace engineering or applied mathematics. Often, the students we work with already have a general plan of what they hope to major in. However, the more specific and defined your academic niche, the better. For example, maybe you know you want to do engineering; now, it's time to see if you are more of a mechanical, chemical or computer engineer. In a perfect world, but by the end of this summer, you would be sure that you want to be a biomedical engineer with a minor in math.

The best way to figure out your academic niche is to learn all you can. We highly recommend making a reading list for yourself. We know what you might be saying, “Reading? But I want to study science!” Trust us when we say that reading isn’t just for English majors. We make all of the students we work with read. Reading not only makes you a better writer, but it's also a great way to learn more about your academic niche. For example, if you want to study math, you could read Thinking in Numbers by Daniel Tammet. If biology is your thing, pick up This Explains Everything by John Brockman. Give yourself a reading list and stick to it. Outside of books, try reading scientific journals, listening to related podcasts, or even keeping up with tech news. You want to learn as much as you can!

We also love online classes. We recommend taking between 1-3 your freshman summer. These classes are usually pre taped and flexible, and often free. There are a ton of great courses available online. Some STEM-focused ones we love include:

However, there are many, many more! Find the ones that are most interesting to you, and you will likely also find your niche!

Summer Programs

While pre-taped classes are great, we highly suggest doing an in-person program. Many colleges and universities offer summer programs for high schoolers. These are excellent opportunities to take courses and get some hands-on experience. We love Summer @ Brown, CMU’s Summer Programs, Summer Session at Stanford and many more. There are a lot of programs. Find one whose dates, classes, location, and cost work for you. Applications usually open in the spring, and if you aren’t sure where to start, we can help with that.

Teach Yourself Something or Make Something Cool

For many STEM majors, you will need concrete skills. This is the perfect time to learn a new coding language or how to build a robotic arm. You can also show off those skills by using them to build something cool. We have had students build computers, apps, websites, solar panels, drones, and more. If you are more on the biology, math, or chemistry side of STEM, you can also start a research project. Compare and contrast previously published research, conduct an experiment, or do research in the field. Many of our students publish research while they are still in high school, and a cool research project can be a great experience if you want to work in labs or with professors down the line. Give yourself a project or goal this summer and push your skills.

Intern, Shadow, or Get a Summer Job

We love a summer job. Almost any summer job shows you are responsible and involved. However, finding a summer job that connects with what you want to pursue in college is all the better! For example, you could tutor math, teach kids ecology at a local museum, be a counselor at a STEM camp, or volunteer at a repair cafe. And yes, volunteer internships count.

Use your network. Often, your parents or someone else in your greater network will have a friend who might be open to a job shadow. A good job shadow can lead to an internship in the future. There are a couple of great national internships for high schoolers interested in STEM, but many of them are only looking for juniors and seniors. However, a job shadow this summer can also be great for previous experience on a resume going forward.

You should look at local museums, nonprofits and even colleges for related opportunities to get involved, whether that is a call for volunteers or a more concrete internship.

Freshman summer is the perfect time to lock in and start to build a killer resume based on your academic interests. Having a great summer takes planning. Don’t wait until it's too late.  If you are struggling to plan or need some extra help to make sure your summer is setting you up for success, we can help!

Speak to one of our dedicated counselors today!