As a high school student interested in STEM research, you should be strongly considering participating in a STEM research program. More than just another extracurricular activity to add to your profile, these programs and challenges allow you to explore your passion for STEM and also significantly enhance your profile for college applications. 

Programs like these offer hands-on experience, mentorship, and an insight into real-world STEM challenges, setting you apart in the competitive college admission process. This blog focuses on one such excellent research competition, MIT THINK.

What is MIT THINK?

MIT THINK is a unique opportunity for high school students to push the boundaries of their scientific curiosity and innovation. Unlike traditional science fairs, THINK focuses on the ideation and planning stages of research, offering a platform for students who have thoroughly researched their project ideas and are seeking guidance to bring them to fruition. 

Founded by MIT undergraduates, this program reflects MIT's commitment to pioneering STEM research and education, providing you not only with mentorship and funding to support your research project idea but also a chance to visit MIT's campus, interact with faculty, and build connections within the MIT community.

MIT is one of the country’s premier STEM institutes, home to groundbreaking research and advancements across multiple fields. By participating in THINK, you're tapping into this rich environment, gaining exposure to the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation.

Is it prestigious?

The MIT THINK Scholars Program stands out as one of the most prestigious research programs in the country. With only six award winners each year, the competition invites high school students across the nation to submit their innovative project proposals in STEM fields. These finalists receive up to $1,000 in funding, mentorship from MIT students and faculty, and a trip to MIT.

The program's alumni have gone on to achieve recognition in national science competitions and continue their studies in leading scientific and technological fields, showcasing the program's ability to serve as a stepping stone to further achievements​. Over the years, THINK has been sponsored by notable organizations such as Microsoft, Solidworks, Art of Problem Solving, and DRW, further adding to the competition’s prestige.

Who is eligible to apply?

You must fulfill the following the criteria to be eligible:

• Be a full-time high school student, from freshman to senior.

• Be a permanent US resident during the 2023-2024 academic year.

• Either apply solo or as a team of two, with a limit of one proposal per academic year.

Note that the competition is completely free to enter!

How is MIT THINK structured?

MIT THINK essentially involves submitting a detailed project proposal. After a thorough evaluation, semi-finalists are announced by the end of January, followed by interviews and the final selection of six winners​. The applications open on November 1 and must be submitted by January 1.

The project proposal structure looks like the following:

1. Title and Abstract: This section serves as the executive summary of your project, limited to 250 words. It should capture the essence of your project, including the motivation behind it, the problem it addresses, the proposed solution, and the expected outcomes. This is the first impression of your project, so clarity and conciseness are key.

2. Idea: Here, you delve into the problem you’ve chosen to tackle. It should lay out the background information necessary to understand the issue, demonstrate why it’s important, and explain how your project addresses this problem uniquely. This section requires you to articulate the significance of your project, supported by relevant scientific literature and research to contextualize your work within the existing body of knowledge.

3. Plan: This segment outlines how you intend to execute your project. It includes detailed milestones, the resources required (funding, materials, mentorship), and the timeline for your project’s development. Demonstrating technical feasibility and a clear path from idea to implementation is crucial. Discuss potential challenges and how you plan to overcome them, showing a well-thought-out approach to achieving your project goals.

4. Personal: Unlike typical research proposals, this section adds a personal dimension, asking you to share your academic background, interests, and the personal motivations behind your project. It’s an opportunity to connect with the judges on a personal level, sharing your journey and passion for the field.

5. References: All consulted sources must be cited in APA format, ensuring that your proposal is grounded in credible research and acknowledges the contributions of others to your field of study.

Judges assess submissions based on:

• Impact - How relevant, important, or interesting is the identified problem?

• Innovation - How novel is it, and how does it improve upon existing solutions?

• Clarity - Is it SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound)?

• Feasibility - Can it be implemented in the cost, resource and time constraints?

• Benefit - How much will the completion of this project benefit from THINK funding and mentorship?

We highly recommend going over the full program guidelines here, which contains detailed instructions as well as a sample proposal.

Pros and cons of participating

Pros:

1. Mentorship: Direct guidance from MIT students and faculty, providing insight, feedback, and advice to refine your project and push the boundaries of your research.

2. Funding: Up to $1,000 to support the development of your project, covering expenses such as materials, equipment, and other resources necessary to bring your idea to life.

3. Exposure to MIT: A trip to MIT offers an unparalleled experience to engage with the vibrant community, attend classes, and visit state-of-the-art labs, providing a glimpse into life at one of the world’s leading institutions for STEM research.

4. Presentation opportunities: As a finalist you will get to present your work to the MIT community and at the THINK tech symposium, showcasing your research to an audience of experts and peers alike, enhancing your communication skills and professional network.

Cons:

1. Highly competitive: With only six winners annually, the competition is intense. You’ll need to have an extremely robust research project proposal in place to stand a chance of being accepted.

2. Early stage only: The program focuses specifically on the early stage of research project development. If you’re in a later stage of your project, then unfortunately you will be unable to benefit from this competition.

3. Serious time commitment: The application requires a detailed project proposal, which can be time-consuming to prepare​. Each aspect of it needs to be thorough and detailed, and you will likely need to work with a professor or mentor to ensure that you get it right. It is a major time and effort commitment on top of your regular studies.

In summary, the MIT THINK Scholars Program is an exceptional opportunity for high school students passionate about STEM to explore their ideas, receive mentorship from leaders in the field, and gain recognition for their innovations.

If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!

Image Source - MIT THINK Logo