Our Review of Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy for High School Students
Participating in STEM research programs while you’re still in high school can give you a serious edge when applying to college. Colleges often look for students who not only excel in academics but also show a drive to learn beyond the average classroom curriculum. Engaging in hands-on research at this stage allows you to showcase initiative, problem-solving skills, and an ability to handle complex, real-world issues. It also provides you with insights into what a career in STEM might be like, which can guide you in making informed decisions about your college major and career path. Our blog today offers a deep dive into another STEM research program you can consider—Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy.
What is Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy?
Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy is a two-semester paid research opportunity for students from New York City public high schools who have a strong interest in pursuing STEM in higher education and possibly as a career. The academy aims to provide exposure to authentic inquiry activities and real-world research experiences.
Over the course of two semesters, you will be taught relevant research skills and exposed to key concepts before being matched with a research faculty member for a full six-week summer research experience. The ultimate goal of the academy is to equip you with practical, modern research skills and methodologies that you have learned to apply when conducting scientific research in a controlled environment. The program also helps you develop critical thinking, data analysis, and communication skills that are vital in any STEM field. Additionally, the academy provides opportunities for networking with professors and peers, opening doors for future academic and research opportunities.
How is the program structured?
The STEM Research Academy is divided into two distinct semesters: a classroom-based preparatory phase followed by a hands-on research phase.
In the spring semester, you will take the Introduction to Research Skills course that provides 1 college credit. This 60-hour course held from January 25 to May 22, 2025 will have in-person classes every Wednesday from 4:10 to 5:40 p.m. Here, you’ll learn about research methodologies and scientific writing, as well as how to read and analyze scientific literature, formulate a strong research question, and design testable experiments.
In the summer semester, you will spend six weeks with a City University of New York (CUNY) researcher on a dedicated research project. This is conducted from mid-July to mid-August, and you’ll be working full 8-hour shifts from Monday through Thursday. You will be conducting experiments, analyzing data, and possibly even helping to formulate new hypotheses for your research project alongside your mentor. The research work is intense but rewarding, as your project will address a real research question.
Note that you’re only eligible to participate in the summer semester after successfully completing the spring semester with a grade of C or higher. At the end of the internship, you’ll be presenting your findings at the CUNY STEM Research Exhibition and the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium Summer Symposium.
Is it prestigious?
Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy recruits only 25 students each year, meaning the competition is quite stiff, and being selected is an achievement. The exclusivity of the program boosts its value on college applications, particularly if you’re looking to enter competitive STEM programs at universities. Another major factor contributing to the program’s prestige is the quality of mentorship and exposure that you get from working with a CUNY researcher on a research project. Additionally, the networking opportunities are also quite good—over the course of both semesters of the program, you’ll be working closely with faculty, other high-achieving students with similar goals, and of course, your research mentor, all of which could lead to future collaborations that benefit your academic journey. All in all, this is a prestigious program and well worth the effort.
Who is eligible to apply?
To apply for Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy, you need to meet the following requirements:
Currently attend an NYC Public High School in grade 10 or 11
Have an overall 80+ grade average
How does the application process work?
An application to the STEM Research Academy requires:
A completed online application form
A copy of your high school transcript
A one-page essay describing yourself, your interest in STEM, why you chose this program, and what makes you a good candidate
Applications are due by December 2, 2024, and decisions will be announced by mid-December. While there are no fees for tuition or participation, you will need to cover personal expenses such as transportation to and from Baruch College. You can earn a $1,575 stipend for the six-week summer internship!
Pros and Cons of Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy
Pros
You’ll get hands-on research experience: The program offers an opportunity to engage in real research and learn modern research techniques and methodologies, which goes well beyond any high school science project experience. This exposure is valuable if you’re considering a career in STEM and/or research.
It can be a strong boost to college applications: The prestige and depth of learning offered by this program can significantly enhance your college application, showing that you have the ability to handle advanced, college-level research.
Good networking opportunities: You’ll be working and collaborating in small batches with fellow students, faculty, and CUNY researchers, forming connections that can be valuable in your academic and professional future.
Exposure to research symposiums: Presenting your research at the end of the program gives you the opportunity to practice public speaking and professional presentation skills, which are crucial for any STEM career.
Fully funded program: Not only is the program free, it allows you to earn money for your hard work and research.
Cons
Admission is selective: With only 25 seats available, the program is competitive. This means that even highly qualified students might not be accepted.
It needs a big time commitment: The two-semester program requires a significant commitment in terms of time and effort. Balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, and the program could be challenging.
It’s limited to NYC Public Schools: The program is only open to New York City public high school juniors and sophomores.
Is it legit?
Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy is a highly beneficial program for high schoolers serious about pursuing a future in STEM research. Its two-semester structure offers a comprehensive introduction to the world of academic research followed by in-depth exposure to applying the theory you’ve learned. The selectivity of the program makes it especially valuable for boosting your profile in college admissions. However, because the program is highly selective and requires a significant time commitment, it may not be suitable for everyone. Also, since it’s restricted to New York City public school students, its reach is somewhat limited geographically.
Overall, if you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in STEM, Baruch College’s STEM Research Academy can be useful for building your research skills, expanding your academic network, and setting you up for success in college and beyond.
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.