USESO 2026 LEES Program

Grades

High school students (grades 9-12, likely)

Age

Not publicly available in search results

Citizenship

Not publicly available in search results

Prerequisites

Interest in earth science and environmental topics; likely requires strong academic standing

Steps

1. Complete online Cognito Forms application at provided URL
2. Provide personal and academic information
3. Submit required materials (essay, recommendations, or academic records)
4. Await notification of application status

Materials Needed

• Basic contact and school information
• Academic records or GPA
• Likely essay or personal statement about interest in earth science
• Possible teacher recommendations
• Transcript or grades

Timeline

2026 program (applications likely open fall 2025 or earlier; specific dates not available in public sources)

Cost

Application cost not specified; likely free

What Judges Look For

• Passion for earth science and environmental topics
• Academic performance in science courses
• Leadership potential and initiative
• Communication skills and ability to articulate career goals
• Commitment to environmental or earth science fields
• Diversity of background and perspective
• Extracurricular involvement related to STEM or environment

Scoring

Not publicly available; likely evaluated on holistic basis including academics, essays, and recommendations

Common Mistakes

• Generic or poorly written application essays without specific examples
• Failing to demonstrate genuine passion for earth/environmental science
• Providing weak or missing teacher recommendations
• Not following application instructions carefully
• Submitting incomplete applications or materials
• Using vague language instead of specific achievements or goals

Acceptance Rate

Not publicly available; competitive enrichment programs typically have 15-40% acceptance rates

Applicants

Not publicly available in search results

Winners / Selected

Not publicly available; likely ranges from 20-100 selected students based on typical program structure

• Start application early to allow time for thoughtful responses and obtaining teacher recommendations
• Research USESO's mission and values thoroughly to align your application accordingly
• Highlight specific earth science or environmental projects, coursework, or experiences you've undertaken
• Show leadership through concrete examples (class president, science club president, organizing environmental initiatives)
• Connect your personal interests to broader earth science challenges (climate change, geology, sustainability)
• Get strong recommendations from science teachers who can attest to your ability, curiosity, and work ethic
• Write compelling essays that tell a story about your journey in earth science rather than generic statements
• Demonstrate awareness of current earth science issues and how you want to contribute to the field
• Showcase both academic excellence and practical engagement (field work, internships, competitions)
• Proofread meticulously and ensure all materials are professionally presented

How to Prepare

• Take challenging earth science, geology, environmental science, or related courses
• Join earth science club, debate team, science olympiad, or environmental club at school
• Participate in science fair projects related to earth science topics
• Attend earth science camps or workshops during summer
• Seek internships with environmental organizations or geological surveys
• Read current literature on environmental and earth science issues
• Develop projects or initiatives related to environmental sustainability
• Build relationships with science teachers for strong recommendations
• Practice articulating your interest in earth science clearly and passionately
• Research USESO organization's specific mission and programs

Resources

• USESO official website and social media for program details
• Earth Science courses at your high school
• NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) resources
• USGS (United States Geological Survey) educational materials
• Environmental science blogs and YouTube channels
• Science Olympiad earth science resources and practice materials
• Local university earth science departments (may offer outreach)
• Online earth science communities and forums
• Books on geology, oceanography, and environmental science
• College prep guides on STEM enrichment programs

Time Needed

6-12 months of preparation recommended; consistent engagement in earth science activities throughout high school; 2-4 weeks intensive for application completion after deciding to apply

Successful applicants likely have: strong GPA in science courses (3.8+), participation in earth science clubs or competitions, leadership roles in school or community, demonstrated environmental activism or projects, clear articulation of career interest in earth/environmental science, teacher recommendations emphasizing curiosity and engagement, well-written personal statements connecting personal experience to field passion

Earth science enrichment programs like LEES demonstrate commitment to STEM field and environmental stewardship, both increasingly valued by colleges. Shows intellectual curiosity, leadership capacity, and clarity of academic purpose. College admissions officers view selective earth science programs positively as indicators of genuine subject interest beyond classroom requirements. Strong indicator for geology, environmental science, atmospheric science, oceanography, and related college programs. Can be particularly impactful for students targeting schools with strong earth science programs. Less prestigious than top-tier national competitions but still meaningful for demonstrating sustained engagement with field.

• Congressional App Challenge — Tier 3, competition
• ARML (American Regions Mathematics League) — Tier 3, competition
• AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) — Tier 3, competition
• National Science Bowl — Tier 3, competition
• Science Olympiad — Tier 3, competition