Lehigh University's Summer Engineering Institute - Is It Worth It?
For any high schooler like yourself, interested in STEM and looking to make a career of it, pre-college programs are becoming an unmissable opportunity. If you’re aiming to stand out in your college applications while also giving yourself a head start in learning college level STEM concepts, then you should already be applying for such pre-college programs. Among the many options available, today’s blog focuses on Lehigh University's Summer Engineering Institute (SEI). If you’re wondering whether SEI is worth the investment of your time and resources, then today’s post aims to answer all your questions.
What is SEI all about?
The Summer Engineering Institute, hosted by Lehigh University, is a free, intensive two-week summer program of classroom study and research for rising high school juniors and seniors. The purpose of SEI is to ignite a passion for engineering and technology, and bridge gaps in STEM education for talented students from traditionally underrepresented communities.
Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been enforcing academic excellence and innovation since its establishment in 1865. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and learning coupled with a research-centric approach, Lehigh’s SEI helps you solve complex problems in a team-based environment. Participating in SEI is also a great way to learn about the career options in STEM research and chart your future path.
How is SEI structured?
The SEI is structured over two weeks to provide a comprehensive overview of various engineering disciplines. You will be participating in team-based research projects, diving deep into subjects like 3D printing, robotics, nanoscience, earthquake mitigation, bioengineering, environmental remediation, computer science, and more. You’ll be working directly with Lehigh's distinguished faculty and state-of-the-art facilities in small batches, receiving daily guidance and insights from experts in the field.
An average day at SEI includes classroom lectures, laboratory research sessions, and plenty of group work. This is combined with guest seminars as well as field trips to companies working in STEM, ensuring a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application.
SEI takes place in two batches:
June 30 - July 13, 2024 - Residential program Session 1
July 14 - July 27, 2024 - Residential program Session 2
Who is eligible and how do you apply?
SEI is unique in the sense that one does not apply to the program, rather you must be nominated. SEI maintains a partnership with the Lehigh University School Study Council (LUSCC), a consortium of regional school districts that partner with Lehigh's College of Education, and it is these regional schools that nominate talented and underrepresented students to participate in SEI. Roughly 100 students are nominated for the program by these schools in the Lehigh Valley and beyond, and your best bet for being selected is being an academically gifted young student who your teachers deem would benefit from the experience of the SEI. According to the website, the ideal profile of an SEI student looks like the following:
Rising high school juniors or seniors.
Academically capable and personally responsible enough to handle a two-week virtual or residential program.
May live in challenging socioeconomic circumstances, or be the first generation in their family to consider college, or belong to a traditionally underrepresented group in STEM.
Most importantly, enthusiastic and dedicated to STEM studies.
Is it prestigious?
Participating in SEI is a surefire way of signaling to any college admissions officer or recruiter that your talent and capability have been recognized and rewarded.
Since the only way of getting into SEI is via nomination from school faculty, and only about a 100 students are admitted each year, it inherently indicates that you are recognized as one of the top students in your school district. Beyond the prestige of selection, the experience of SEI itself affords you plenty of exposure to actual scientific research and the practicalities of a career in STEM. The small batch sizes also ensure that you get a solid networking opportunity not only with your peers, but also with the faculty of Lehigh and guest lecturers.
Alumni of SEI have testified to how they’ve benefited from the exposure, knowledge, and networks they've gained.
Considering pros and cons
Pros:
It provides exposure to real scientific research: You will be working on an engineering discipline of your choice, through hands-on projects with Lehigh’s researchers. It is a great opportunity to learn how scientific research works in practice, and actually contribute to the growth of knowledge in your chosen field.
It is a great networking opportunity: The program provides plenty of opportunities to connect with peers, faculty, and professionals in the field.
It is completely free: The best part of the SEI is that it is fully funded, intended to provide a headstart to talented students who may not have otherwise been able to afford the exposure and learning it provides.
Cons:
You can only be nominated: There is unfortunately no way to directly apply for the program. The best you can do is perform splendidly at school and indicate your interest in the program and the opportunities it provides to your teachers, and hope that they nominate you and you are selected for SEI.
Limited duration: While it is undoubtedly a solid learning experience, it is only a two week program, meaning that your learning is perforce limited.
Is SEI worth it?
For high school students passionate about STEM and lacking the means or funds to secure their academic future, SEI represents a valuable opportunity. The program's blend of academic rigor, hands-on learning, and mentorship prepares you not just for college, but for a lifetime of innovation and problem-solving. Its fully funded nature and aim of providing a boost to students from underrepresented communities are real boons if you fit into that criteria and are looking for exactly such an opportunity. If you're ready to challenge yourself, explore what a career in STEM research looks like, and make lasting connections, SEI could indeed be worth your while.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here
Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing research in STEM, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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