NJIT's Summer Early College Prep Programs for Middle School Students—Are They Legit?

If you’re a middle school student looking to acquire new skills, learn about the practical applications of subjects you study in school, and expand your knowledge base, consider enrolling in a summer program! Several reputed colleges offer summer opportunities to sample college life through onsite and virtual programs, letting you complete advanced coursework and investigate topics deeply. Summer programs are also a great way to develop academic skills for high school and beyond.

In this blog, we will review the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Summer Early College Preparatory Programs for middle school students. Here, you will find information on the program’s features, offerings, cost, dates, prestige, and pros and cons, which can help you decide if you want to attend. 

What is NJIT’s SECPP all about?

The Summer Early College Preparatory Programs (SECPP) offer several STEM-focused courses to students currently in grades 4 to 9 (i.e., rising grade 5 to grade 10 students). You can opt to study mechanical, electrical, aeronautical, biomedical, and other engineering fields, robotics, and climate and sustainability, among other subjects. Each SECPP program is in-person and runs for four weeks in the summer, four days a week. In addition to studying STEM, you’ll also have the chance to explore language arts, go on field trips, and participate in recreational activities. 

How much does the program cost?

The program costs $1,490. This includes tuition fees, materials, and a daily lunch. You must pay for your own transportation and stay if needed. You must also pay a nonrefundable $60 application fee. Scholarships are available for students from underrepresented backgrounds. 

What are the program dates?

The 2025 program dates haven’t been announced yet but will likely be four weeks in July–August. The 2024 dates were July 8 – August 8. The application deadline last year was May 3, 2024. 

What is the eligibility criteria?

To participate in SECPP, you must meet the following criteria:

• Currently be in grades 4 to 9

• Have a minimum B grade average (SECPP considers applicants with grades below a B, but you will need to provide an accompanying teacher recommendation)

Eligibility can also depend on the specific course you opt for (more details on this below). SECPP also offers additional female-only cohorts for most of its offerings. Additionally, you must submit a personal statement (up to 500 words) along with your application that answers the following question: Why do I want to be in this program?

What does a typical day look like? 

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with a structured activity or class. There is a lunch break from 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m., followed by more classes in the afternoon. The day ends at 3:30 p.m. In between classes, you’ll participate in fun activities like bowling, board games, basketball, and arts and crafts. You will go on two day-long field trips, and the program ends with a closing ceremony. You can check out a sample schedule here.  

Is the program prestigious?

NJIT’s SECPP is moderately prestigious and selective. NJIT ranks #84 nationally, making it a reputed institution to study STEM. While specific data on the program’s acceptance rate is unavailable, the minimum grade requirement makes it a moderately selective option.

What can I study at SECPP?

SECPP offers several courses, including many female-only options! Here’s what you can enroll in:

• Environmental Science & Engineering (for students currently in grade 4): Here, you will learn about the different aquatic and land environments, and how engineering innovation is used to protect and conserve these spaces. Topics covered include weather, ecosystems, biospheres, conservation, and more. You will also conduct experiments relating to the topics you study.

• Aeronautical engineering (for students currently in grade 5): You can learn about the history of aviation and how it has shaped today’s global economy. The curriculum includes studying foundational aeronautical engineering topics like aerodynamics, design, and manufacturing. Hands-on experiments include building and launching model airplanes, drones, and rockets. 

• Mechanical and industrial engineering: (for students currently in grade 6): Here, you will undertake experiments to test Newtonian laws, the different forces, and potential and kinetic energy. You will learn more about the engineering design process in this course and be introduced to the different careers in this field.

• ExCITE: Energy & Sustainability (for students currently in grades 6 and 7): Topics covered in this course include sustainable engineering, renewable energy, and green technologies. You will learn about the different careers in this field.

• Electrical and Computer Engineering (for students currently in grade 7): Here, you will learn about circuits, electricity principles, and computer systems. You will build simple circuits, learn programming, and learn how smart devices, renewable energy systems, and other electric devices operate. 

• Biomedical engineering (for students currently in grade 8): Learn how to solve problems in clinical medicine by learning about anatomy, biomechanics, bio instruments, and bioengineering. 

• Robotics (for students currently in grades 8 and 9): You will learn about coding for robotics by using the Vex 5 Robotics platform to program basic robotic movement and use sensors. The course curriculum includes examining program patterns and structures for more general, real-world problem-solving. You will be asked to program and build robots that can perform daily tasks.

• Chemicals and materials engineering (for students currently in grade 9): Here, you can learn about topics like atomic structure, chemical reactions, and the properties of different materials. You will also learn about the role this field of engineering plays in the manufacturing, healthcare, and sustainability sectors. Laboratory experiments include observing reactions and analyzing different materials and their properties.

You can see more detailed course descriptions here. 

All courses, except the ExCITE and Robotics options, offer a female-only cohort alongside co-ed cohorts.

What are the pros and cons of the program?

Now that we know more about SECPP, let’s dive into some reasons that make it a program worth considering and a few that make other options more suitable for you:

Pros:

1. You join an intensive program.

All SECPP courses run for a month, ensuring you gain an in-depth and well-rounded understanding of the subject you choose to study. The courses also include a hands-on project component, letting you learn by doing.

2. You can choose from several STEM options, depending on your interest.

SECPP offers courses in mechanical, aeronautical, environmental, materials, and biomedical engineering, along with courses in sustainability and robotics. The curriculum is structured according to your grade level, ensuring tailored content.

3. The program has some selectivity.

You need a B minimum grade average to participate in SECPP, so all students are at a similar level and you can study more advanced concepts.

4. The program is (relatively) affordable.

At $1,490, SECPP isn’t as expensive as other month-long programs, which can cost several thousand dollars. NJIT is a reputed institution that guarantees a good standard of learning.

Cons:

1. You can’t enroll as a residential student.

The program is commuter-only and is aimed at students living near NJIT. While you can definitely apply if you live elsewhere in the U.S. or globally, you’ll need to make your own living and transportation arrangements, which can be expensive. 

2. You don’t earn any credits.

As a middle school student, you do not earn any school credit for any advanced concepts you may learn.

Our review—what do we think of the program?

NJIT’s SECPP is a sound option for middle school students interested in STEM, especially engineering, who want to do experiments and learn more about fields they are interested in. You’ll get to participate in a moderately selective program that will dive deep into a subject. However, it’s worth remembering that you need to make your own lodging arrangements if you don’t live near the university and that you don’t earn any credits. 

One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.

The program was founded by a Harvard & an Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! 

To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.

Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!

Kieran Lobo is a freelance writer from India.