STEM, Startups, and Summer Programs: Crafting a Story That Stands Out

By Michael Tran, Future Engineering Major

Applying to college as a high school student is never easy, but for those of us passionate about STEM, there’s an extra layer of complexity. You’re not just trying to stand out academically — you’re trying to show your future school that you’re capable of contributing to cutting-edge technology, solving real-world problems, and driving innovation. And when it comes to crafting an application that stands out, nothing can be more impactful than real-world experience. For me, that meant diving into summer programs and internships with startups.

Here’s how my summer experiences shaped my application and helped me tell a story that made me stand out to admissions committees.

The Power of Hands-On Experience

It’s one thing to take advanced math or science courses in school, but it’s another to apply those concepts in the real world. Early on in my high school career, I knew I wanted to study something like engineering or computer science, but I wasn’t sure how to show that interest in a way that would catch the eye of admissions officers.

That’s when I stumbled upon a summer program at a local tech startup. It wasn’t a prestigious program, and it didn’t offer college credit or certifications. But what it did offer was invaluable — real experience. I spent six weeks helping a small team of engineers design a new app interface. I was learning firsthand about the intersection of technology and user experience, and that experience helped me develop a much deeper understanding of the field.

Working in a startup also exposed me to the daily challenges that entrepreneurs face. I was able to see how quickly things could change, how flexibility and problem-solving were crucial in an environment where there was no room for complacency.

Making My Summer Program Work for My Application

When it came time to write my college essays, I realized I could turn that summer internship experience into a compelling story. But it wasn’t just about listing the technical skills I had learned — it was about showcasing how that summer program had shaped me as an individual.

I wrote about how I entered the program as a student interested in tech but unsure of what that looked like in a professional context. By the end of the summer, I had developed new skills, learned how to work in a fast-paced team, and found new ways to solve problems under pressure. But most importantly, I was able to highlight how the program confirmed my desire to pursue a STEM field.

When crafting the narrative for my personal statement, I didn’t focus solely on the technical aspects. Instead, I framed the story around growth — how I went from being a student in a classroom, learning theory, to someone who could apply that theory to create something real. That transition from theory to practice became the backbone of my essay.

The Importance of Storytelling

What I learned is that the key to a strong application is not just listing accomplishments but telling a story that connects those accomplishments to your larger goals. For example, I didn’t just talk about how I helped design an app interface. I explained how that experience sparked my passion for engineering and cemented my desire to work at the intersection of technology and user experience. I also described how I wanted to bring that hands-on, problem-solving mindset to my college studies and beyond.

I also worked to connect my summer program experience to my future aspirations. I didn’t want to just be another applicant with a “cool summer internship” — I wanted my admissions officers to see that this was a stepping stone on my path to becoming an engineer who could create tech that improves lives. That meant emphasizing how the startup experience pushed me to think creatively, to collaborate effectively, and to approach challenges with an entrepreneurial mindset.

Why STEM Students Need Startup Experience

In my experience, startup internships and summer programs aren’t just great for building technical skills; they also give you an opportunity to learn how to fail and how to learn from those failures. Startups are all about rapid iteration and testing new ideas. It’s common to try something that doesn’t work, learn from it, and pivot. That’s a valuable lesson for anyone entering a STEM field, where failure is often the first step toward success.

Plus, working in a startup allowed me to see the true scope of innovation. A single idea could transform into a product that would eventually reach hundreds, if not thousands, of people. This scale of impact was eye-opening and gave me a deeper sense of purpose in pursuing STEM.

Don’t Forget the Soft Skills

While it’s important to showcase your technical abilities, I also realized that startup environments test and develop your soft skills — collaboration, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. I made sure to highlight these in my application, as they are often overlooked by students focused on technical accomplishments alone.

In my application, I discussed how working in a small team required clear communication and how I learned to take initiative, sometimes stepping up to lead a task or brainstorm a solution. These experiences helped me grow both as a student and as a person, and I made sure that came across in my personal statement.

The Outcome: From Passion to Purpose

When I finally received my college acceptance letter, it felt like the culmination of everything I had worked for. But what truly made me proud was that my summer program experiences had played a major role in shaping who I was as an applicant. I had demonstrated not only my passion for STEM but also my ability to apply what I learned, my commitment to personal growth, and my willingness to challenge myself.

As I prepare to start my college journey, I know that the experiences I had in those summer programs and internships will continue to shape my future career. The most important lesson I learned throughout the process is that no experience, no matter how small, is insignificant when it comes to telling your story. By taking part in those programs, I didn’t just gain knowledge — I gained a story that is uniquely mine.