Our Review of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) at NYU

If you’re an NYC student interested in STEM and passionate about addressing issues in urban areas, New York University offers a program that might be worth exploring!

Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) at NYU builds your STEM skills while teaching you about creating smart cities. Such extracurricular programs are a great way to sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills while sampling college-level curricula. What’s more, they help enhance your academic profile and demonstrate a sustained interest in a subject, which is something that college admissions boards highly value. 

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you should consider applying to ieSoSC. In this blog, we will review the program, providing information on its main features, fees, important dates, and pros and cons of attending the program.

What is ieSoSC all about?

ieSoSC is a free five-week summer program taught by NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering faculty to New York City high school students interested in the science behind urban planning and infrastructure. The program focuses on creating smart cities and builds on students’ computer science, engineering, design, and entrepreneurship skills. During the program, you will ideate, design, and build a prototype of a smart city solution, which you will get to present during the final presentation.

What will I study at ieSoSC?

The program focuses on STEM, its application toward smart city solutions, and entrepreneurship. Here, you will learn about product development and project management, covering topics within economics and finance. You will also learn about patents and copyrights, and gain important pitching skills. The STEM coursework relates to coding, microcontrollers, circuit deployment, and sensor integration. You will use the skills gained here to design and build a functioning prototype to solve an urban planning issue. 

At the end of the program, you will participate in a “Shark Tank”-style event, presenting your model to a panel of entrepreneurs that includes engineers, urban planners, STEM experts, and the general public. The coursework and projects undertaken will be closely related to research conducted by the faculty of the Civil and Urban Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Center for Urban Science and Progress departments, covering topics like disaster management, waste disposal, water distribution, and cybersecurity. 

In addition to the STEM and entrepreneurship component, the program partners with the Irondale Theater to give the cohort sessions on communication and public speaking, led by theater artists. You can also avail of college workshops to help you navigate applying to college and preparing for exams. NYU also organizes field trips to nearby sports stadiums and museums.  

How much does the program cost?

Nothing! The program is tuition-free for all accepted participants. As ieSoSC is a commuter program, housing and meals are not included. 

Who is eligible to apply?

• The program is open to all New York City students currently enrolled in grades 8,9, and 10 (i.e., students who will enter grades 9,10, and 11 in the fall of the next academic year). 

• Students must have a basic understanding of physics and coding to apply to the program.

• While there is no minimum GPA, the program is competitive and accepts students with a strong academic background.

To apply to ieSoSC, you need to complete an online application form that includes questions about your academic background and requires two short essay responses.

What are the important dates?

• The 2024 program ran from July 1 to August 2. The 2025 dates will likely be similar. 

• Applications typically open on February 1 and are due by mid-April. Students are informed of their acceptance by mid-May.

• Students are required to attend a virtual 3-hour orientation via Zoom which is generally held in the last week of June. 

You can stay updated on the program website.

Is the program prestigious?

Yes, ieSoSC is competitive and prestigious. The program is tuition-free, which increases competitiveness and selectivity. NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, a reputed engineering school, runs the program, adding prestige.

What are the pros and cons of applying to ieSoSC?

Now that you know what the program is about, let’s dive into some reasons why you should apply, and a few others that detail why another program might be a better fit for you!

Pros: 

1. You don’t have to pay anything

ieSoSC is a full-scholarship program. You only have to pay for transport to and from the NYU campus and meals. This makes the program sought after and more accessible to students from low-income backgrounds who cannot afford to attend paid programs.

2. You participate in an intensive course

The program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days a week for five weeks. Coursework is based on faculty research areas in civil and urban engineering and computer and electrical engineering. By the end of the program, you will present a prototype in a “Shark Tank”-style environment to industry professionals, professors, and the general public. 

3. You get to study at a renowned university

NYU is among the top universities worldwide, ranking #43 in QS World University Rankings 2025. Its Tandon School of Engineering ranks #41 in the U.S. Studying here can give you an insight into college life at Tandon, which could shape where you pursue your further studies. 

4. You join a competitive program

The program is free, which increases the number of applicants, ensuring that those accepted have the best student profiles among all applicants and are deeply interested in STEM and urban planning.

5. You gain important soft skills

You will attend communication, presentation, and public speaking workshops led by Irondale theater artists. The skills you gain here will help you present your final project and remain useful in high school and beyond.

6. You get to complete a hands-on project

By the end of the program, you will have ideated, designed, and built a prototype that solves an urban planning issue. In previous years, students have designed storm warning and flood sensing systems.

Cons:

1. You can only apply if you live in NYC

While the program is free, only students living in NYC can apply. This limits the number of interested students who can participate in the program and lowers the total number of applicants. 

2. You do not receive any academic credit

While the program is highly relevant and addresses real-world problems, it doesn’t offer academic credit that can be used in high school or college.

Our review — what do we think of the program?

If you’re an NYC resident interested in STEM and urban planning, the ieSoSC is a sound option to gain hands-on experience and network with like-minded peers and professionals. The program is free, which reduces barriers to entry. It also provides you with an opportunity to work on your project and develop entrepreneurial skills. On the flip side, students not living in NYC cannot apply and the program doesn’t offer any academic credit. 

Bonus - Young Founders Lab

If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you establish a developed startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab! 

The Young Founders Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. 

You can access the application link here!

One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students 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.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Kieran Lobo is a freelance writer from India.