Why Engineering?

Engineering is more than a field of study—it’s a way to shape the world and explore endless possibilities. Engineering allows you to accomplish the following:

• Express Your Creativity: Solve real-world challenges and design innovative solutions in areas like technology, healthcare, and sustainability.
• Push Boundaries: Dream big, from space exploration to renewable energy.
• Explore Diverse Career Paths: Engineering opens doors to fields such as science, law, medicine, and business.
• Make an Impact: Address global challenges and create a sustainable future.
• Collaborate Globally: Work with diverse teams and bring unique perspectives to life-changing projects.

Testimonials from Past Scholars

“This program was truly transformative! I made amazing friends and learned so much about engineering. I loved it! It’s truly an amazing program!”

“You will learn so much about all the engineering fields that will help you figure what fields you are truly interested. You will be so grateful.”

“I had a great time doing research and networking with professors and learning about different disciplines.”

Key Dates

• Application deadline: February 15, 2025
• Admission decisions released: April 2025
• 2025 Program Dates: July 13–19, 2025

Eligibility

The academies are open to students of all identities who are currently residing and attending high school in the United States or a US territory and who meet the additional eligibility criteria for their respective academy. The Cornell High School Outreach Program is focused on the support and empowerment of traditionally excluded populations in STEM, including (but not limited to) the areas of gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, neurotype and ability. Our academies provide a safe environment to build a community of peers and mentors who empower one another to be confident in their exploration of STEM. We strongly encourage all interested students to apply!

General eligibility requirements

1. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, with strong performance in math and science courses.
2. Applicants must be a current high school sophomore or junior at the time of application.
3. Applicants must be on an academic trajectory that will include the following courses prior to graduation:
   • AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or an equivalent course
   • AP Physics or an equivalent course (calculus-based physics, such as AP Physics C, is preferred)
   • Honors or AP Chemistry or equivalent courses
   • Additional rigorous math, science, computer science, or STEM-related courses

Additional eligibility requirements for CATALYST:

Applicants must meet one of more of the following requirements:

• Experienced educational, socio-cultural, economic, personal, and/or identity-related barriers to your academic progress.
• Experienced situations or conditions that impacted your advancement or ability to advance in a STEM field, including but not limited to:
  • Being a first-generation college student
  • Managing a disability or chronic health condition
  • Experiencing housing, food, economic, and/or other forms of hardship
• Demonstrated commitment to address the barriers that prevent participation of students from historically underrepresented groups in STEM.
• Demonstrated leadership potential to address the issues of underrepresentation of domestic minorities in STEM fields.

Additional eligibility requirements for CURIE:

Students must meet one or more of the following:

• Experienced educational, socio-cultural, economic, personal, and/or identity-related (e.g., gender) barriers to your academic progress and/or your advancement or ability to advance in a STEM field.
• Demonstrated commitment to address the barriers that prevent participation of women in STEM.
• Demonstrated leadership potential to address the issues of underrepresentation of women in STEM.

Tuition

Academy tuition is currently $1,900 and it is subject to change. Tuition includes room, meals, and research supplies. It is payable after notification of acceptance to one of the academies.

We strive to make the program accessible to our participants. We encourage applicants who are concerned about affordability to apply for a scholarship at the time of application. All participants are required to pay a $75 non-refundable deposit.

Scholarships

Scholarships for tuition and/or travel are available based upon demonstrated need. To be considered for a scholarship, submit the Financial Assistance Form in conjunction with the Academy Application and supporting documents by the application deadline of February 15, 2025.

Application Process

We recommend you read through this section prior to applying. When you’re ready to apply, click the “Apply Now!” button at the top of this page to begin the application process.

Overview

To apply, you will need to complete the online Application Form in one sitting. You cannot save your progress and return later. Only online submissions are accepted. If you need to make changes to your application after you’ve submitted it, please contact staff at inclusive_excellence@engineering.cornell.edu.

The application includes an essay section with three prompts. We recommend writing your essays in a word processor first and then copying and pasting it into the application form.

1. How has your personal journey shaped your interest in STEM/Engineering? (max 250 words)
2. What are your goals for the future in STEM/Engineering, and how will participating in the Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program help you reach those goals? (max 250 words)
3. Tell us about a unique experience you’ve had and how it will help you contribute to our diverse STEM community (250 words max). This could be a challenge you’ve faced and overcome, a leadership role you’ve taken, or something you’ve done to support inclusion. Other ideas to consider:
   • Have you faced barriers in school, your personal life, or your identity that affected your learning?
   • Have you experienced challenges that made it harder to succeed in STEM?
   • Have you worked to help more underrepresented groups participate in STEM?
   • Have you shown leadership by addressing issues of underrepresentation in STEM?

After you successfully submit the Application Form, you’ll see a “Thank you for your submission” page. You will also get an email confirming we have received your Application Form. Both the page and the email will include links for the following important steps:

• Uploading a current high school transcript (official or unofficial) that includes your current in-progress coursework and most recent grades (If you are unsure about where to obtain your transcript, ask your guidance counselor!)
• The online recommendation form that must be shared with – and completed and submitted by – a math teacher, science teacher, or high school counselor by the application deadline.
• Uploading your high school profile, which can be found on your high school’s website or by contacting your school’s guidance office.
• Uploading your optional Financial Assistance Form if you have demonstrated financial need and wish to be considered for tuition and/or travel assistance. A parent or guardian will need to complete this form

You must submit these additional supporting documents by the application deadline of February 15, 2025, in order for your application to be considered.

Application Process FAQs

How many participants are admitted to each Academy?

Each academy typically admits between 35-50 students. Waitlisted students will be invited to participate should places become available.

What do I do if I attend a school where my grades are on a grading scale other than a point system?

Please submit an official translated version of your transcript along with official documentation that explains your school’s grading scale in relation to that of a 4.0/5.0 grading scale. The grades should be translated by a school official.

Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident to apply to the Academy?

No, but you must be residing in the United States.

I was not able to submit my application by the deadline. Can I still submit it?

All applications and supporting documents must be submitted online by February 15.  Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted or considered.

Can I still apply for financial assistance after the deadline?

No, financial assistance applications must be submitted by February 15.

I have submitted all my application materials. When will I receive a confirmation email with my status?

You should receive an automatic confirmation upon submission of the application and supporting documents. You will also receive an email when your recommender submits their form. If you did not receive an automatic email to your personal or school email address, check spam or other folders.

When will I find out whether I was accepted into the Academy and/or if I received a scholarship award?

We anticipate admissions decisions to be released in early April. Scholarship awards are included in the acceptance email so that participants and their families may make an informed decision whether to participate.

Can an applicant who does not get accepted receive an explanation or feedback on their chances for future admission?

Unfortunately, due to the significant number of highly competitive applications we receive each year, we cannot offer feedback to individual applicants.  Some general tips for submitting excellent applications are:

• Write a strong essay.
• Pay close attention to the questions and make sure to answer them.
• Be authentic about your interests.
• If unsure about your interest in engineering, acknowledge this within your essay.

What to Expect the Week of the Program

CURIE and CATALYST Academies offer scholars an authentic college experience, featuring daily interactive academic, research, and social activities. These experiences are designed to build understanding of various engineering fields, explore academic and career pathways, and demystify the STEM admissions process.

Get ready for an action-packed week! Each day will start early and be filled with activities lasting into the evening. Attendance at all program activities—both academic and social—is required. If you are not someone who enjoys early mornings or staying busy all day, this may not be the program for you. The schedule is intensive and leaves no room for other commitments such as internships or classes during the program week.

Generally speaking, each day will include the following:

Morning Field Sessions

Dive into two different engineering fields each day. These sessions are your window into the vast world of engineering disciplines. Scholars participate in nine field sessions led by Cornell Engineering faculty across each of Cornell Engineering’s major fields of study. In these sessions, participants learn about a faculty member’s research through interactive and hands-on activities. Field sessions take one hour. Additionally, Cornell Engineering Admissions provides a 10th field session that demystifies the college admissions process for students with a particular focus on applying to Cornell.

Afternoon Research Sessions

Here’s where you’ll dig deep into a research project. Day by day, you’ll build up to a final presentation that showcases your hard work. Scholars participate in a research project under the guidance of a Cornell Engineering faculty member. They work in small, collaborative groups. The faculty and a team of post-docs, graduate students, and/or undergraduates instruct and mentor scholars through an experiential learning curriculum, meeting daily for four hours and culminating in a final group presentation or activity to present findings and/or outcomes.

Parents or guardians are welcome to attend the final presentations on the Saturday of the last day of the program

Past research projects have explored AI and robotics, biomedical devices, data management, and many other topics. You can read about some of our past academy research projects in the Cornell Chronicle:

• Programmable Plants and the Internet of Living Things:
• Computing at the Edge

Evening Activities

After the intellectual rigor of the day, you’ll unwind with a planned activity. It’s the perfect time to relax and have fun. Program assistants lead social activities and games. Social activities may include group outings to the Lindseth Climbing Center, Treman State Park, bowling at Helen Newman Hall, and more!

Nighttime Routine

Post-activity, you’ll have a short period for socializing with residential staff and fellow scholars. But don’t forget that curfew is non-negotiable! Balance your time wisely between socializing and preparing for bed to ensure you are well-rested for the next day’s adventures.

Accommodations and Travel

Housing

• Scholars reside in on-campus residential housing on Cornell’s North Campus. There are laundry machines in the residence halls that you can use for free.
• Male, female, and non-binary students are housed in separate rooms and floors. Scholars share a double room with another scholar of the same gender.

Staffing & Supervision

• The Academy has a full-time staff consisting of a Residential Hall Director, Program Assistants, and a Health Director, all of whom report to the Program Director and reside with and accompany the students.
• Scholars will have adult supervision 24/7 throughout the program.

Medical & Health Insurance Coverage

• Medical Insurance is mandatory for participation in the academy.
• If participants do not have medical insurance, we suggest visiting the sites below on your own with your parents/guardians or guidance counselor. The sites and companies below are NOT endorsed by the Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program nor by Cornell University. These are not advertisements or endorsements. Be sure to carefully read their coverage and policies prior to purchasing and/or enrolling in a plan. These types of plans are typically inexpensive and only cover the duration of the camp/program. Participants may also want to check with their state’s department of human/health services for medical benefits for children.
  • InsureMyTrip Travel Insurance Plans
  • Travmark Insurance
  • InsureandGo Travel Insurance

Meals & Spending Money

• Participants are provided with dinner on Sunday’s arrival day, three meals and snacks Monday through Friday, as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday’s departure day.
• Participants may want to bring money for souvenirs, incidentals, and meals while traveling.
• Tuition covers materials and supplies for the week’s activities.

Travel

We strongly encourage participants traveling by plane to fly into Syracuse or Ithaca airport.  If you choose to fly or bus into Elmira or other areas, you are responsible for your own ground transportation to and from Cornell.

• If flying into the Syracuse or Ithaca airports, a program staff member with a program sign in hand will meet participants at their baggage claim within 20-30 minutes of the participant’s arrival.

• • • The Syracuse Hancock International Airport is the program’s preferred airport and is approximately a 65-minute drive from the Cornell campus.
    • The Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport is approximately a ten-minute drive from the Cornell campus.
• For those taking the bus into Ithaca, a program staff member with a program sign will meet participants at the bus terminal within 20-30 minutes of arrival.
• If you choose to arrive early, you are responsible for your personal lodging, accommodations, transportation, and supervision. The Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program assumes no responsibility or liability for students prior to registration on the Sunday of the first day of the program.
• If you receive travel assistance, information about which travel expenses are covered and how to submit them for reimbursement will be provided once you are admitted to the program.

Vaccination/Immunization Requirements

• The Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program requires the same immunizations that Cornell University policy requires of Cornell University students.
• Please review the university’s website with information on immunization requirements, specifically the section regarding required immunizations.
• Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly recommended but not required for participation in the Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program.
• Accepted students and their primary caregiver(s) will receive information regarding submitting medical information and immunization records, after receiving their acceptance letter.

Contact

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Cornell Engineering’s Office of Inclusive Excellence. Email is the fastest way to reach us!

• Email: inclusive_excellence@engineering.cornell.edu
• Phone: 607-255-6403 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM ET)

Program Supporters

We thank the following Cornell alumni and donors for their generous support:

• Han-Yang Lo ’98
• Elaine Tam ’98
• Harvey Willensky ’71 and Margie Willensky
• Robert L. Ryan ’68