Are you a high school sophomore or junior (entering 11th or 12th grade in the fall of 2023) with a passion for engineering or technology? PREFACE is a summer experience hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for students interested in pursuing a career in engineering or technology who are part of groups that have been historically underrepresented or underserved in science, engineering, and other technological fields.
Since 1978, PREFACE has provided a pre-college introduction to the different types of engineering, allowing students to understand what engineers do and what it takes to become an engineer. PREFACE students are exposed to today’s global challenges and learn to use engineering design and manufacturing processes to develop possible solutions.
This year's 2023 PREFACE program will return to an in-person experience on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus in Troy. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer will be deeply involved in this year’s PREFACE program. The disciplines of physics, chemistry, and all types of engineering come together in materials science and engineering to help solve real-world problems. In fact, no scientific or engineering advancement can be made without advances in this field. Today, research meets an ever-increasing demand for solid materials from the designers of jet engines and rocket boosters, microelectronic devices, optical components, medical prostheses, and many other products.
As a PREFACE participant, you will work with Rensselaer faculty to discover various material properties and how they differ in structure, performance, and behavior through demonstrations; hands-on activities and experiments; and individual and team activities and challenges led by Rensselaer undergraduate students. You will be immersed in experiences, such as making a microscope and programming an Arduino, to gain an understanding of how — and why — materials work, how materials science and engineering intersects with and is important to all the types of engineering, and the world-changing potential of materials.
OVERVIEW
The PREFACE Program will be held Sunday, July 23, through Saturday, August 5, 2023
PREFACE will provide you with a firsthand perspective of what it’s like to be a college student on the Rensselaer campus. As a PREFACE participant, you will be mentored through the program by Rensselaer undergraduate students who have been trained as teaching assistants.
The School of Engineering will welcome you to campus, and you will learn about the various types of engineering and about research and career opportunities in those fields. You will gain hands-on experience working with Rensselaer faculty members.
During the 14-day program, you will learn about some of the other aspects of the college experience. Rensselaer students and professional staff will introduce you to campus clubs and organizations, as well as athletics, health and wellness, leadership development, and career and professional development opportunities. You will gain insight into the college application and financial aid process. You will learn about the campus, explore sites in Troy and the Capital Region, and for fun, you will be able to engage in engineering challenges and trivia contests for prizes!
PURPOSE
The PREFACE Program will:
- Provide experiences using the engineering design process to solve a problem (e.g., design, troubleshoot, innovate, model, revise, and assess outcomes);
- Create opportunities to develop leadership and team-building skills;
- Highlight career opportunities available in engineering professions as a means to develop a deeper understanding of the role and expectations of an engineering education; and,
- Present a snapshot of college life and its academic, social, cultural, civic, and environmental experiences.
CURRICULUM
PREFACE core disciplines are taught by Rensselaer faculty and staff members. Programs include “Introduction to Electronics,” “Introduction to Engineering Design,” “Introduction to Engineering Analysis,” “Computer-Aided Design,” and “Introduction to Manufacturing Processes.” Students will also:
- Explore the different types of engineering, including biomedical, mechanical, aeronautical, electrical and computer systems, civil and environmental, nuclear, materials, industrial, and chemical.
- Learn about leadership development facilitated by the Rensselaer Archer Center for Student Leadership Development, including engineering design projects and team building.
- Learn about career development by attending seminars offered by the Rensselaer Center for Career and Professional Development.
- Prepare for college through interactive sessions about the admissions application and financial aid processes.
- Visit with representatives from global research and development companies.
ELIGIBILITY, SELECTION, AND THE 2023 APPLICATION
To apply, you must be entering the 11th or 12th grade in September 2023. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a background traditionally underrepresented and underserved in science, engineering, and other technological fields. Since PREFACE is taught in English, a strong understanding of the English language is essential.
Selection is based on your high school academic performance, your standardized test scores (if available), the quality of your essay, and the strength and relevance of your recommendations. Twenty students will be selected to participate.
The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST, on Friday, April 14, 2023. Applications received thereafter will not be accepted for PREFACE 2023. Applicants are advised to review the entire application in advance before attempting to complete and submit it. Acceptance notification will take place during the first week of May.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is now accepting applications from students who will be in 11th or 12th grade in Fall 2023 for the summer session (Sunday, July 23 through Saturday, August 5).
Students may directly access the 2023 PREFACE application.
Applicants are advised to review the entire application in advance to determine what information they will need, before they attempt to complete and "submit" the application form. Student applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. ET, April 14, 2023.
COST
The 2023 program costs $4,000 per student to attend. This pays for the cost of room and meals, instructors, supplies, the program T-shirt, and all planned activities during the two weeks. The fee will be payable upon notice of selection in the program. Participants are responsible for their transportation arrangements and costs.
Financial Aid: The program provides a limited number of partial scholarships to qualified students on the basis of demonstrated need, but is not able to provide full scholarships. Students whose families earn annual wages within the federal poverty guidelines are encouraged to apply for partial aid, but this option is open to all applicants. The financial aid request is part of the online application, and applying for a scholarship does not impact the admissions decision.
Sponsorship
PREFACE has been funded in the past through generous donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. If you are interested in inspiring young minds and creating opportunities for high school students to learn more about their own potential in engineering and technological professions, please consider making a gift to the PREFACE Program at Rensselaer. Your gift will have a direct impact by providing financial aid scholarships to students from historically underserved or underrepresented communities so they can be exposed to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professions at an early age. For more information, please contact the Office of Institute Advancement at (518) 276-6494.
The program has received funding in the recent past from:
INDIVIDUALS
- Robert L. Cummings '69 and Annette Bacol
- Mrs. Dorothy Lemelson FR
- Dr. Robert C. Kohberger '67, '71, '75
FOUNDATIONS
- The Grainger Foundation
- William Gundry Broughton Charitable Private Foundation Inc.
- The Haas Foundation
CORPORATIONS
- Exelon Corporation
- United Technologies Corporation
- Bank of America
- Time Warner Cable
- The Boeing Company
- General Motors
- General Electric
- Lockheed Martin
- IBM Corp.
- OBrien & Gere
- Knolls Atomic Power Lab
- Procter & Gamble
Many thanks to all PREFACE donors!
