ISM Helps Launch Robin Liu’s Success at Georgia Tech and Apple Inc.

Robin Liu ('23) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL

As a proud member of the ISM Class of 2023, Cheng (Robin) Liu is currently navigating the exciting realms of Electrical and Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. Reflecting on his past experiences at ISM, Robin confidently shares that the foundation laid during his high school years played a pivotal role in his smooth transition to college life.

One of the significant advantages Robin gained from his time at ISM was the rigorous academic program, particularly the Advanced Placement (AP^®) classes. Robin graduated and brought a remarkable 45 college credits to Georgia Tech. “ISM definitely prepared me for college so I didn’t need to take Gen Ed Courses and was able to jump straight into my major-specific classes,” says Robin, which also inspired him to double major. This jumpstart equipped him with a solid understanding of complex topics, making his college experience feel comparatively easier than that of many peers who lacked a similar background.

Leadership development at ISM has also shaped Robin’s college experience. As the Chief Engineer of the Rocket Club at Georgia Tech, he shares that ISM definitely prepared him for leadership through his experiences as Head of Academics and Head of Management in the SABIS^® Student Life Organization (SLO^®). The skills he developed in high school have translated seamlessly into his current responsibilities and set the stage for future leadership opportunities. While at Georgia Tech, Robin also spends his time serving as the Lead Peer Instructor at the HIVE Markerspace, hosting workshops and teaching students how to design electrical hardware and write software.

One of Robin’s proudest accomplishments to date was being selected by Georgia Tech and invited to NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to present his published research paper, “Active Control and Guidance-Aided Propulsive Landing Research for Small-Scale Vehicles,” at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Regional Student Conference in March 2024. Robin's research began in high school, where he received financial support from ISM’s Parent Connection which helped him purchase parts and equipment for his research. He continued his research into college through a professor's sponsorship and was recently published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.

Looking ahead, Robin's aspirations post-college are ambitious. After completing his undergraduate studies, he intends to pursue a PhD or enter the tech industry. In the meantime, he has secured a promising internship. “This semester I will be training with Apple for a six-month internship program in Austin, Texas, as a part of their development team for Mac computers. I’m very excited about this opportunity as I’ll be learning a lot and gaining hands-on experience,” he says. This opportunity promises to offer extensive learning and professional development, laying the groundwork for his future career.

For prospective families considering ISM, Robin emphasizes the abundance of AP courses and the challenging curriculum designed to prepare students for the rigors of college. “The rigorous curriculum already matches the intensity of college and I think that’s one of the biggest advantages of being a student at ISM. The extracurriculars I was involved in, robotics and math team, definitely helped me secure my Apple internship and engineering club leadership role,” he says.

The preparation from ISM doesn’t just stop at academics; it extends into real-world experiences that truly pay off. Congratulations, Robin, on all your remarkable accomplishments thus far. We look forward to seeing what’s next for you!