General
Why should I join the ACE program?
The full immersion of the ACE program allows individuals to push beyond their preconceived limitations and achieve mental fortitude, technical excellence, and develop lifelong leadership skills. ACE is so much more than just a summer internship– you will leave ACE with newfound resilience, leadership skills, and technical abilities you never had before.
What is the purpose of the ACE program?
ACE’s mission is to forge a cadre of cyber warriors and leaders of consequence. To do this, it aims to completely immerse interns in the cybersecurity discipline through a combination of intense cyber security coursework, military leadership seminars, and research experiences. ACE strives to push interns beyond what they thought they were capable of, and help them grow their competence, compassion, courage, and commitment.
How long is the program?
10-weeks.
How many interns attend the ACE program?
It varies year to year, but recent years have had approximately 40 ACE interns.
What is the typical makeup of the ACE class?
In recent years the class has been made up of about 35% ROTC, 25% civilian, 10% SFS/SMART/CySP, 5% active duty, and 25% foreign nationals. Note that some of the information in the FAQs (including pay, accommodations, etc.) may be different for active duty or foreign national individuals.
Does ACE count toward my SFS/CySP/SMART internship obligation?
Yes!
Does graduating from ACE dictate my AFSC?
No.
What is the Gettysburg trip?
Every year the ACE program brings all the interns and staff to Gettysburg for about 3 days to study the leadership decisions and outcomes that took place during the Battle of Gettysburg. Interns walk the battlefields, discuss principles of leadership, and enjoy the amenities of the surrounding town. We study the leadership principles and lessons learned on the battlefield and apply them to the cyber environment.
Do the benefits of ACE continue after I return home?
Yes! After leaving Rome, NY you’ll be a member-for-life of a robust network of ACE alumni and staff. You’ll essentially be part of a secret club of high-achieving cyber leaders of all ages from all around the world, all of whom have had the shared experience of going through the ACE program. You might return to ACE as a Graduate Assistant or guest lecturer, or even just visit on Alumni Day. In one way or another, you will continue reaping the benefits of the ACE program long after you leave it.
Do ACE interns ever come back for an additional summer?
Yes. A handful of ACE graduates return the following summer as Graduate Assistants (GAs). GAs mentor and support the ACE interns, as well as work on technical projects to help advance the ACE code base and infrastructure.
Where else can I learn more about the ACE program?
Follow us on Instagram @ace_cyber_ to learn more!
The Application
Am I eligible to apply?
Candidates must be U.S. citizens eligible for a DoD Secret Clearance. They must be rising juniors or seniors, with a recommended major in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Math, or a computer security-related major. Other majors will be considered based on the candidate’s relevant experience and aptitude in computer science and engineering. A cumulative GPA over 3.5 is recommended. Leaves of absence for Field Training or similar commitments will not be authorized.
ACE sounds great but I don’t know much about cybersecurity. Should I apply?
Many applicants that are accepted into the ACE program do not have prior experience with cyber security. If you meet the minimum application requirements, you have enough knowledge to be successful at ACE. What’s more important than knowledge, however, is resiliency, hard work, a team-oriented mindset, and asking for help when needed. ACE covers a wide variety of cyber security principles that may be unfamiliar to interns and presents a unique challenge to everyone who attends.
How do I apply?
Candidates must apply via the Griffiss Institute smartsheet linked on the Apply Now page. You must provide a resume, two references, unofficial college transcript(s) (including transfer course credits), and a 100-word biography with a recent headshot photo.
How competitive is it to get into the ACE program?
The ACE program is a competitive program that only accepts candidates who display the technical and mental fortitude to thrive in the intense ACE environment. The acceptance rate in previous years has been approximately 30%. If you are interested in ACE, are up for the challenge, and meet the minimum requirements, do not hesitate to apply!
When is the application deadline?
To be considered for first priority selection, applications must be submitted in full by midnight EST on December 3, 2023. If the position is not filled following the first-round selection, however, the position will remain open and applications may be submitted until the final deadline at midnight EST on January 21, 2024.
What are the next steps after I apply?
After the first-round selection application deadline, we will be reaching out to schedule interviews for the two weeks following the deadline. We will have decisions for first-round selection by December 25th.
What questions do you ask on the interview? What should I prepare for?
If you are offered an interview, we will ask you a mix of technical and non-technical questions. We want to establish a baseline level of computer knowledge, but moreover, see how you think and reason about questions you haven’t heard before. There’s nothing specifically to prepare for; we just want to see how you think! The non-technical questions focus on leadership and resiliency.
I am a current AS-400. Can I attend ACE between commissioning and my EAD?
Yes!
I’m in A/NROTC. Can I attend ACE?
As long as you’re available for the duration of the program, and meet the other requirements, you are eligible.
I’m a current sophomore in AFROTC, and will likely have field training this summer. Can I still attend ACE?
If you fall into this category, you are encouraged to still apply. If you are accepted into ACE and end up having field training during a portion of ACE, we will defer you to next summer. Because of the rigor of ACE, we are not able to have interns miss large portions of the program, even for field training. Deferral to next year means that we’ll save you a spot for the next summer’s cohort. You won’t have to apply again, but we’ll reach out the next fall to schedule a call to reorient you with the ACE program and get your updated information. Then you’ll have the option to sign the offer letter or decline (like usual).
Work and Academics
Is this a paid internship?
It is a full-time paid internship with competitively based wages. (This answer may change if you are Active Duty or from the UK).
Is it possible to fail the ACE program?
Yes. ACE uses grades to objectively assess interns’ progress, learning, and areas of struggle. If an intern drops below a 55% average in any of the grade categories, they are in danger of failing out of the ACE program. However, the ACE staff and GAs are all there to give interns the tools and support they need to succeed. By accepting you into the program, we believe you have what it takes to be successful at ACE.
What is the weekly time commitment of the ACE program?
Approximately 80+ hours/week including all of the ACE components. This, of course, depends on how quickly you pick up topics, your time management skills, etc. 40 of these hours consist of scheduled lectures, research, and leadership seminars, and the rest is out-of-work hours working on challenge problems and mission operations. ACE is a big commitment but is incredibly rewarding for those who commit to it.
What work is there to do outside of the regular working day?
Just because the working day stops doesn’t mean ACE interns stop working. Outside of the workday, ACE interns work on their weekly operations, as well as their challenge problem solutions and reports. This includes the weekends.
Does everyone actually run 8 miles every week?
Yes. Even the staff. The 8-mile run is an integral part of the ACE program. The expectation for the run is 90 minutes or under. The run provides a much-needed time to reflect and think about your past week and the week ahead. It also helps build community and camaraderie between the interns. Do not worry if you have never run before– every year interns attend the ACE program who had previously never run more than a few miles (before they started training for ACE, of course). The key is preparing beforehand and building up mileage before the program starts.
Life During ACE
Where will I live?
The program provides interns with dormitory-style housing in either a hotel or a conference center in Rome, NY. Interns should expect to have a roommate.
How will I get there?
Before arriving at ACE, the staff will reach out to coordinate travel to and from the facilities in Rome, NY.
What is Rome, NY like?
Although interns have very little free time during ACE, interns still find fun things to do around Rome. Rome has many Italian restaurants, featuring the Rome specialty dish Chicken Riggies. Rome also has a variety of running and biking paths. Utica, which is about 20 minutes from Rome, has a large variety of restaurants, bars, and stores. The Adirondack mountains are also only about an hour away from Rome. ACE interns often organize game nights, movie nights, and other fun events for themselves. The ACE program has built-in social events throughout the program such as lake days and barbeques for the ACE interns and staff.
What kind of support is there during the ACE program?
All the members of the ACE staff, especially the Graduate Assistants (GAs), are there to teach, mentor, and guide the ACE interns. The GAs are generally the first group of people for interns to turn to, as they are the closest staff members to the interns. GAs can provide technical support, answer questions, help solve inter-personal struggles, and lots more. Similarly, ACE senior staff are available for continued support and to help with higher-level issues.
How will I take care of my mental health while at ACE?
The rigorous program presents many challenges to each intern and sometimes those challenges can become very overwhelming. The ACE program has resources and staff members to help you through those challenges and will work with you to help meet your needs. Remember that you are not alone, and you are capable of more than you think. If you need help, please reach out to a staff member and/or one of the resources provided.
I need to spend a couple hours a day [training / taking an online class / meditating / etc.]. Will I have time to do that during the evenings?
No. ACE is an immersive experience where participants stay incredibly busy. In the evenings there is “unscheduled time” but very little “free time.” Upon coming to ACE, you should have no other major commitments to worry about for the summer.
I have a health condition but can manage it and be successful at school/my career. Can I still attend ACE?
Maybe, depending on the condition. ACE is an intense and immersive program that challenges participants mentally and physically. If you have a chronic medical condition that limits your activities, ACE might not be a good fit. You are welcome to contact us to discuss specific situations and potential accommodations.
The website says ACE interns make no excuses. Does this mean if [I’m sick / have a family emergency / etc.] I’m still expected to do everything?
No. There is a difference between making excuses and having a reason. Serious reasons such as illness, family emergencies, etc. are completely valid and the staff will work with you to make accommodations.