In pursuit of its commitment to nurturing young talents, the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS) transformed both LAU campuses into hubs of curiosity and knowledge exchange as it welcomed 187 high schoolers to its SoAS Boot Camps between June 30 and July 15, 2025.

This year’s selection introduced five additional boot camps compared to last year’s roster, each designed to bridge the gap between theoretical and experiential learning, not just through intensive sessions, but also by immersing students in the “authentic university life where they got to mingle, explore campus life, and place themselves in the shoes of future LAUers,” said SoAS Professor and Associate Dean Sandra Rizk-Jamati.

For many participants, one of the most rewarding experiences was having the opportunity to earn a scholarship of up to 30 percent toward their potential LAU tuition. A total of 19 scholarships were awarded to students who demonstrated commitment and intellectual involvement in the camp activities.

Six boot camps covered a wide range of disciplines, from bioinformatics and renewable energy to computer science and psychology, where students took part in project-based exercises under the guidance of faculty and industry professionals.

This comprehensive learning environment introduced participants to university-level learning and provided them with a clearer sense of academic paths by demonstrating how classroom concepts translate into real-world professions.

At the Pre-Medical Boot Camp, for example, students stepped into the shoes of future healthcare professionals as they were walked through clinical simulations and diagnostic exercises.

Between exploring the structure and function of the human body to understanding what constitutes drug development and medical imaging, participants engaged directly with the tools and techniques that shape modern medicine.

“We were truly impressed with the number of students this year,” noted Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences Sama Sleiman. The value of this camp, she added, was in helping them “pick up on practical skills and gain exposure to the study of medicine and the realities of working in healthcare.”

The Pre-Medical Boot Camp allowed the students to observe clinical environments up close and interact with medical professionals on subjects varying from nutrition, drug discovery, clinical simulation, and physiology, among others.

In addition to the scientific focus, it incorporated sessions that helped students understand the broader system of medical education, with presentations focused on entrance exams like the MCAT and financial aid opportunities.

Ninth grader and first-place winner at the Beirut campus Samara Singh, who earned a 30-percent cut in tuition, reflected on how grateful she was “to have participated in the camp because it showed me that a career in healthcare is within reach with the right guidance and preparation.”

For Tiffany Abou Jaoude at the Byblos campus, who also secured first place and earned a 30-percent scholarship, what stood out was touring the hospitals and being involved in lab experiments and dissection. “Reading about the human body is one thing,” she said, “but interacting with real equipment and observing how professionals work made me feel like I was actually stepping into the world I want to be a part of.”

Beyond skills and scholarships, the boot camps played a key role in fostering professional networking and peer collaboration between students and faculty, during which they connected with like-minded individuals, formed study groups and creative partnerships, and played a role in interactive activities beyond the program.

By cultivating such a multifaceted approach to university life, the SoAS boot camps continue to prove a strategic investment in students’ futures for those seeking to gain tangible skills, academic advantages and a head start in their fields.