SMU's Introduction to Engineering Camp—Everything You Need to Know
As a high school student interested in STEM, you should consider participating in engineering camps to boost your college application profile and identify the kinds of engineering that pique your curiosity. These programs showcase your passion for engineering and provide valuable experiences that set you apart from other college applicants.
We hope that our blog today, covering Southern Methodist University's Lyle School of Engineering Summer Camps, gives you insight into whether or not these camps can add value to your academic journey.
What are SMU's Engineering Camps?
SMU's Engineering Camps are 4 or 5-day in-person summer camps designed to introduce high schoolers to various engineering disciplines. Through hands-on activities and projects, you'll gain insights into electrical, mechanical, civil and environmental, and computer science engineering. These camps are ideal if you’re curious about engineering and want to explore potential career paths. All the camps are hosted by the Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University and taught by their experienced faculty, ensuring that you get plenty of exposure to college-level concepts and pedagogy.
How are SMU’s Engineering Camps structured?
SMU offers three different engineering camps that cater to different grade levels. Here’s a little about each:
This is SMU’s basic program meant for students with little to no exposure to engineering or STEM. It features activities and projects that cover core engineering concepts across various disciplines—electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental, and computer science. There is also a strong focus on teaching you the basics of the engineering design process.
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders
Schedule: The program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dates for 2025 have not been announced yet, but we can expect them to be similar to the 2024 dates:
Boys Only Camp | June 3 – 7, 2024
Girls Only Camp | June 10 – 14, 2024
Boys/Girls Camp | June 17 – 21, 2024
Cost: $600
This program is a good pick if you have had prior experience with engineering or other STEM programs. Whether you want to explore electrical, mechanical, civil, or environmental engineering or get an introduction to computer science, this program will cover it at a more advanced level. You’ll get to work with students from the Lyle School of Engineering.
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders
Schedule: The program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Although dates for 2025 have not been announced, we can expect them to be similar to the 2024 dates:
Boys Only Camp | July 8 – 12, 2024
Girls Only Camp | June 24 – 28, 2024
Boys/Girls Camp | July 15 – 19, 2024
Cost: $600
The most advanced offering from SMU, this is a 5-day residential program intended to help you explore college readiness for pursuing engineering majors at college: Civil and Environmental, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer, Operations Research and Engineering Management, and Mechanical Engineering.
There’s a much stronger focus on the practical application of engineering principles, and you’ll work in the design studio and machine shop to implement your class learning on a real prototype. There are also several project and skill-building workshops to teach you engineering, mathematical, and scientific practices and key concepts.
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
Schedule: 2025 dates haven’t been released, but you can see the 2024 dates below:
Boys Only Camp | June 24 – 28, 2024
Girls Only Camp | June 3 – 7, 2024
Cost: $1,400
How do I apply?
To apply, you have to fill out the form on their website. Applications for 2025 will likely open on February 1, 2025.
Are they prestigious?
Participation in SMU's Engineering Camps can enhance your college application by demonstrating your interest and initiative in engineering. While it’s not a particularly prestigious program on its own, the hands-on experience gained through these camps can help enhance your profile and showcase your problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. Its short duration also detracts from its prestige and the learning you can extract. Overall, we would not rate these engineering camps as prestigious, but they can serve as an introductory experience to help you explore engineering.
Pros and cons of SMU’s engineering camps
Pros
1. Exposure to various engineering disciplines: These camps can help you gain insight into different engineering fields to help you identify your specific area of interest.
2. Good hands-on learning opportunities: All the camps help you develop practical skills through projects and activities led by experienced instructors.
3. College campus experience: Since the camps are in-person, you’ll be able to get a feel for college life, particularly for the Engineering Design Experience program, where you’ll stay in college dorms.
Cons
1. Not particularly prestigious: The program is not very prestigious and is extremely short, making its impact on your profile limited.
2. Limited availability: These camps may have limited enrollment and could fill up quickly. You’ll need to apply early to secure your spot.
3. Costly: $1,400 can be a lot to pay for a 5-day experience, and there is no information about financial aid on SMU’s website. The cost may be an obstacle for some families, limiting participation.
Our review—is it worth it?
Given their very limited duration, lack of prestige, and cost, we would not recommend SMU’s Engineering Camps if you’re looking for a program to boost your profile from an admissions perspective. However, if you're enthusiastic about engineering and are looking for a solid starting point to introduce yourself to core concepts, these camps can be a worthwhile investment.
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 4,000 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!
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.