CURIE Academy at Cornell - Should You Apply?

If you’re considering pursuing a career in the STEM-M fields (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine), gaining some experience through summer programs is an incredible way to begin or grow your interest. Especially before applying to college, summer programs at prestigious institutions could yield a great advantage in the application process for ambitious and interested students. 

In this blog, we dive into one such program - the CURIE Academy, a one-week program for female high school students interested in STEM-M hosted by Cornell University. We cover the key details about the CURIE Academy, such as eligibility, location, cost, dates and deadlines, and some pros and cons to consider before participating.

What is the CURIE Academy Summer Program?

Hosted by Cornell University, the CURIE Academy is aimed at supporting female high school students who are passionate about studying math and science subjects. It is a residential, one-week, intensive program where a cohort of roughly 50 rising high school juniors/seniors will learn and live at Cornell’s campus. They also completed and presented a research project after participating in nine field sessions under the supervision of current students and faculty at Cornell. 

The program’s purpose is to offer opportunities and pathways for their students to pursue engineering careers in college and to clarify questions about pursuing this field– be it academically or in the industry. This program expands opportunities in these career fields with a specific focus on female students, given that they are underrepresented in the STEM-M field. 

Alumni of the program have attested to the effectiveness of this program as a hands-on way to learn about future career pathways, whether it be graduate school or industry careers. Students have enjoyed “actively getting research [experience]” and learning in an environment without “feeling[ing] afraid of failing.”

Who is eligible to apply?

The CURIE Academy welcomes female-identifying high school students who are rising juniors or seniors. As far as academic requirements, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and are considered to be in good academic standing in their math and science courses. In addition, students must plan to take the following courses prior to graduation: 

• AP Calculus AB or BC or its equivalent

• AP Physics or its equivalent (calculus-based physics, such as AP Physics C, is preferred)

• Honors or AP Chemistry or their equivalents

• Additional rigorous math, science, computer science, or STEM-related courses

Furthermore, students must identify as meeting one of the following as it is related to their lived circumstances:

• Experienced situations or conditions that impacted your advancement or ability to advance in a STEM field based on being a woman in STEM.

• Demonstrated commitment to address the barriers that prevent the participation of women in STEM.

• Demonstrated leadership potential to address the issues of underrepresentation of women in STEM.

You should absolutely consider applying if you are eligible! In any case, make sure to read through the eligibility guidelines on the website carefully, and reach out to your teachers or academic advisor for any further clarifications!

What is the application process for CURIE Academy? 

The application process is divided into four parts:

First, students must complete an application form with several essay questions. The form is first released in early January and is typically due by mid-February. You also must also submit a high school transcript, a recommendation form (completed by a math teacher, science teacher, or high school counselor), and a high school profile. A $75 non-refundable application fee is required to process your application. 

Decisions for the program will be released in April. Do keep in mind that if you are interested in being considered for need-based scholarships, you must submit your application for that by February as well, before notification of acceptance. You can click on this link to access FAQs about the application process.  

Pros:

1. The program is intensive, as it is only one week long. 

Because the program is only one week long, students will take part in long days with a lot of class time (roughly six hours a day). In this week, students will be exposed to a host of subjects ranging from computer science to the physical sciences.

2. Participating students will complete and present a research project.

All participants will complete a project in an engineering research field under the supervision of Cornell faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students. Students will also receive feedback on the project, which could be beneficial if they are interested in continuing their work after the program’s conclusion. It is a collaborative project, offering a great opportunity to work with (and learn from) fellow CURIE Scholars.

3. You will live and learn on a college campus.

All CURIE Scholars live and work on Cornell’s campus in a dorm-style housing situation. This is great exposure to residential college life if you want to know what it is like to be a college student. All of the meals will be provided through Cornell’s services as well. Students will also explore the neighboring town through social activities like rock climbing, nature hikes, and bowling. It could also inform your decisions on where to apply when you ultimately begin the college application process. 

Cons:

1. The program is short in duration. 

While the intensive, one-week structure may be appealing for students interested in a rigorous experience, the short duration of the program could also be considered a downside for students interested in prolonged mentorship and networking opportunities during their summer experiences.  

2. The program is paid

One thing to consider about the CURIE Academy is that it does cost a considerable amount of money. Tuition, which is subject to change, is estimated to cost around $1,850.00. This cost includes housing, meals on campus, and research supplies. However, if you are interested in the program and believe the cost would be a barrier to your entry, you can reach out to organizers of the program to ask if you would be eligible for a scholarship. Scholarships are available for tuition and/or travel and are need-based. 

Our Review:

In conclusion, if you are a female-identifying student interested in getting a crash course in STEM-M fields, this program is a great one to consider. The CURIE Academy is an opportunity to explore engineering fields in an interactive environment, particularly for students who are underrepresented in the field. You will have a unique opportunity to learn from faculty at an Ivy League college, who will take part in mentoring and providing feedback on a research project of your design. Past participants are overwhelmingly satisfied with their experiences in the program, and most continued to pursue their studies in STEM-M-related fields. The program is continuously incorporating feedback from past participants to keep making the program better. 

If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!

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