The Ultimate Guide to the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internship Program
Internship opportunities are a great way to set yourself apart in high school while gaining useful skills and exposure in a field of your interest. These opportunities not only enhance your academic profile but also give you insights into potential career paths. Participating in these programs demonstrates initiative, commitment, and motivation to learn, which can be a huge advantage when applying to colleges. This blog is a deep dive into one such opportunity – the Army Educational Outreach Program’s High School Internship.
What is the AEOP High School Internship Program?
The AEOP High School Internship offers an opportunity to conduct research in STEM fields in US Army Research Labs or affiliated university labs to high schoolers across the nation. The goal of the program is to inspire you to pursue STEM careers by connecting you with real-world challenges. You will be working alongside the US Army’s professional scientists and researchers or university partners, engaging in meaningful projects that contribute to national priorities. Through this internship, you’ll gain technical skills, learn about STEM education and career pathways, and develop research acumen under the guidance of experienced mentors.
How is the AEOP Internship structured?
The internship is hosted in various U.S. Army Research Laboratories, affiliated centers, and university labs across the country. During application you will need to opt into the research facilities you’re interested in, and if selected you will be matched with researchers and scientists working at the location on the Army’s important national research projects. Regardless of location, your mentors will guide you through research techniques and methodologies at these state-of-the-art facilities.
The program is quite rigorous, involving structured research assignments and occasional workshops on career readiness. As an intern, you will be engaging in experiments, data analysis, and presentations, culminating in a final deliverable such as a research report or project summary. Alongside your research, you’ll get the chance to connect with peers and professionals through webinars and virtual events focused on hot STEM topics. Since you’re participating in real-world research, you’ll also earn a stipend for your work.
Is it prestigious?
The AEOP High School Internship is highly competitive, attracting students nationwide. With limited spots, the selection process ensures only the most driven and capable candidates are chosen. Participation signals strong academic potential and dedication to STEM, boosting your college application profile. It also provides you access to a robust professional network, helping you secure advanced opportunities in research and engineering. Overall, we rate this as a highly prestigious program that you should strongly consider applying for!
Who is eligible to apply?
To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
Citizenship: U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
Education: Currently enrolled in high school or an undergraduate program.
Location: Able to commute to one of the program's research sites.
Other Requirements: Specific sites have additional prerequisites, for example some require participants to be military-connected, while others have economic or ethnographic criteria.
How does the application process work?
The application process is straightforward and requires you to submit the following:
Your unofficial high school transcript.
A 2000-word personal statement.
A list of STEM courses you’ve completed.
At least one letter of recommendation.
There are no application or participation fees! Deadlines vary depending on the site, but some operate on a rolling basis. It’s essential to review individual site requirements early.
Pros and cons of the AEOP Internship Program
Pros
You will earn experience in national research: You’ll work directly on research projects with experienced mentors on the US Army’s crucial projects, gaining practical STEM skills and phenomenal exposure.
You will be paid a stipend: A paid internship means you’ll be compensated for your contributions.
There are plenty of networking opportunities: You will have plenty of chances to connect with professionals and peers, creating valuable relationships for the future.
There are avenues for career preparation: The program includes workshops and resources to help you prepare for college and beyond.
The prestige is significant: Being selected for this competitive program can significantly enhance your academic and professional profile.
Cons
It’s a commuter program: Housing, meals, and transportation are not provided, so you must live near a research site or arrange accommodations.
The program is quite selective: With a competitive application process, not all applicants will secure a spot.
The workload is rigorous: Balancing research responsibilities with other commitments can be challenging.
Our review: is it worth it?
The AEOP High School Internship is an excellent choice if you’re passionate about STEM and ready to take on the challenges of real-world research. This program is ideal for motivated students seeking to enhance their technical skills, learn from experienced mentors, and prepare for a STEM-focused academic and career path. However, consider the logistical requirements and time commitment before applying. If you’re eligible and eager to grow, this internship could be a transformative experience that propels you toward your goals.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to 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 AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
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