The Ultimate Guide to MIT’s Summer Programs for High School Students
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also known as MIT, is among the most prestigious universities when it comes to tech. It’s known for its cutting-edge research programs, which it offers throughout the summer through partner organizations. If you’re a high school student who’d like to spend your summer diving into math, machine learning, and engineering, then the MIT summer programs would be a great fit!
In these programs, you can engage in things like proofs, learning how to build systems in engineering from scratch, and developing a machine learning model from the ground up.
How to choose a summer program at MIT?
You should start by figuring out what exactly you want to gain from the program you wish to apply for. Is it to increase your understanding of the particular concepts or to add prestige to your college application? If it’s the former, a good summer program at any reputed university should suffice.
When thinking about which program to opt for and what might be a good fit for you, these are some things to keep in mind when making your choice:
- Conduct thorough research on the faculty and mentors you’ll be working with
- Read program reviews, and consult your counselors and school teachers
- Consider factors such as location, eligibility, and cost before making a decision
Are summer programs at MIT prestigious?
An MIT program’s prestige value is driven by its course content, the quality of faculty, as well as its fully-funded nature (if applicable). So while all of these programs are offered by a prestigious institution, some of them do have a monetary factor, which might not be as prestigious or impactful from an admissions standpoint.
Why should you attend one of MIT’s summer programs?
MIT’s summer programs are a great opportunity for high school students to gain a rigorous academic experience along with a taste of what life at a prestigious university like MIT might feel like. If MIT is one of your dream schools, these programs are a good way to test out ‘college fit’. You get to network with MIT faculty and current students, along with a chance to enhance your programming, engineering, and machine learning skills, among others.
Some of these programs can be extremely selective since most of them have a participant pool of 80 or less. Getting into one of these selective programs will give your college application a pretty strong boost. There are also less selective options that can help you build foundational skill sets, but those often come with high financial costs. But for the most part, MIT summer programs are fully funded, which makes them unique and prestigious - as compared to more open enrolment options at other Ivy League universities.
We’ve shortlisted these MIT programs and mentioned the level of selectivity each program is expected to have so that you can shortlist programs that fit your goals.
Note: If you are interested in multiple programs and are eligible for them, you must fill out and submit the applications to all these programs separately to make sure you’re considered for admission to them. Applying to one summer program at MIT does not mean that all of them will learn about you.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
The RSI is the most prestigious MIT summer program for students interested in advanced theory and research in mathematics and engineering. This program is highly selective, with 3000 applicants a year from around the world and only 100 selected participants, providing you with a 3% chance of getting in. Previous alumni from this program include the inventor of CRISPR and the founder of Pinterest. Being able to include RSI in your college application will give it a huge boost, and if you are targeting MIT, this can make the journey towards acceptance smoother.
This is a 5-week internship program that combines on-campus coursework focused on theory with off-campus work focused on your own research. You will be mentored by a graduate student, who will devise a research project for you in consultation with an MIT faculty advisor.
You’ll be taught by MIT professors and get a chance to attend guest lectures by leaders in their fields. During the last week of the program, you will be expected to complete and present the research paper you have been working on. By this time you would have experienced the entire research cycle from start to finish.
The research topics that you could cover in this program include mathematics, biology, physics, and robotics. This research has to be presented by you as a written and an oral presentation. You can find the link to past projects here.
This program is a great option for you if you have a strong academic record with a high aptitude and interest in STEM subjects. A typical participant would have at least a 740 PSAT math score and at least 700 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. ACT math scores are typically at least 33 and verbal scores are at least 34.
Note: If you plan on applying for RSI, don’t wait till you've started senior year because high school seniors are not eligible to apply.
Fee/ stipend: None. But they do cover your travel, board, and stay.
Application deadline: December 2023 for the 2024 program(based on the previous year’s schedule). Apply here.
Program dates: July - August 2024 (tentatively, based on 2023’s schedule)
Eligibility:
- High school juniors with high marks during your high school career. High school seniors are not eligible. International students may apply.
- PSAT math scores should be at least 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score should be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34.
- Those with lower scores must show strong indicators of potential in other academic areas.
Location: MIT campus
2. MITES Summer
MITES’ summer program is a recognized program that promises an engaging, hands-on, and culturally responsive curriculum. The program is highly collaborative and project-oriented. The idea behind this program is to increase diversity and inclusion in STEM, so it is only open to students from underrepresented backgrounds. MITES doesn’t just look good on your application, it also helps you work on your STEM skills and build your network of peers and mentors. It is important to note that this program is highly selective, with acceptance rates estimated to be from 3-10%.
This is a 6-week residential program focused on increasing diversity in STEM. You will be expected to take 5 courses covering math, science, and humanities, with modules covering topics from machine learning to genomics. You will also take part in lab tours and social events, allowing you to foster connections with students with similar interests. The program will provide you with first-hand insights about the value and reward of pursuing a career in STEM. This program offers electives to make sure you feel comfortable with humanities and life sciences, and not just computer science topics. At the end of the program, you will receive an evaluation written by your instructor, outlining your strengths and contributions to the class. You could - and definitely should - submit this as supplemental material to your college applications!
This program is suitable for you if you qualify as a student from an underrepresented background and should definitely be on your radar if you have a strong academic background and a good grasp over math and the sciences. Additionally, it is a great fit for you if you are looking for an interdisciplinary approach and some useful college advice.
One of the consistent takeaways our research into student testimonials has revealed is that this program, with its sense of community and learning, really helps you develop the confidence you need before the application season!
The application process is pretty rigorous because it’ll look into your extracurricular activities as well - so keep that in mind!
Note: MITES also offers semester-long and supplemental school programs called MITES Semester and MITES Saturdays!
Fee/stipend: None. Students will have to arrange their own transportation to the MIT campus.
Application deadline: February 2024. Apply here.
Program dates: Late June through early August (based on the previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: High school juniors / rising seniors frominority backgrounds and other underrepresented segments of the population, who intend to pursue careers in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Location: MIT campus, on-campus residence.
3. Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
If you want to develop your engineering skills, this program is for you. The most appealing part of this program is that it’s more than just a checkmark on your college application, it is a strong indicator of your interest and ability in computer science. The instructors of BWSI introduce you to the framework of a new engineering concept. You are expected to work on your project during your sessions with the instructors, but you will definitely be given the right tools to turn this project into a reality.
The program consists of 2 components - an open-to-all online course, and a 4 week summer program if you’re selected. The online course will work as an introduction to the summer course. The enrollment into the summer program heavily depends on your performance in this online course, so do your best! You can only attempt the online course a limited number of times so be certain about your answers.
This course is great regardless of whether you are selected for the summer program or not and is highly recommended to enhance your robotics, programming, or engineering skills.
Some recommended courses from this program are:
Serious Games and Artificial Intelligence: This course combines modern methods in machine learning and game-like modeling to analyze and answer social and policy issues regarding technology. With the growth of language models and AI systems, this course would give you great insight into the ethics of AI and how we should implement it.
Autonomous Cognitive Assistance(Cog*Works): Cognitive assistance using technology is a growing industry and is one that is very accessible to beginners, making this course a great jumping-on point.
Quantum Software − MITRE Project: Quantum computing is a highly sought-after skill, with government, academic, and commercial organizations spending billions of dollars attempting to create reliable, general-purpose quantum computers. Creating such a system would allow you to perform computations that conventional systems would not be capable of performing. Other courses include:
- Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking
- Medyltics
- Build a Cubesat
- Autonomous RACECAR Grand Prix
- Remote Sensing for Disaster Response
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Challenge
- Cyber Security in Software Intensive Systems
- Back to bASICs
- Microelectronics and Hardware Development
BWSI is famous for the interdisciplinary nature of its pre-college courses. Most of the offerings are related to engineering, robotics, or cybersecurity but they overlap with pure science and mathematics, making it an exciting and fresh experience for you.
Fee/stipend: None.
Application deadline: March 15, 2024 (based on the previous year’s schedule). Apply here.
Program dates: July 1, 2024 - July 28, 2024, vary slightly depending on the type of course (based on the previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Students must be in high school with a demonstrated aptitude for STEM.
Location: Both on-campus and virtual options are available.
4. Women’s Technology Program (WTP)
If you are passionate about mathematics and science but have no prior experience in engineering or computer science, MIT WTP offers a great starting point! This is the most beginner-friendly program on this list, with a mission of bringing more women into computer science fields. In fact, if you have taken an engineering class or had extensive experience with engineering design, you won’t even be considered by WTP. WTP is highly selective, selecting only 20 participants from an applicant pool of, anywhere between, 380 to 650 students.
You, along with 19 other female high school students, will be introduced to engineering by female MIT graduate students, labs, and team projects. You can either focus on Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or Mechanical Engineering (ME), but the availability for these streams changes every year. You will learn how to work on SolidWorks and Matlab, which are essential tools that you should know how to use as a sophomore engineer.
Fee/stipend: None. Housing is not provided.
Application deadline: January 15, 2024 (based on previous year’s schedule). Apply here.
Program dates: June 2024 - July 2024 (based on the previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: This program is women-focused. Applicants must be juniors/rising seniors in high school and comfortable with handling college-level material at a rapid pace.
Location: MIT campus.
5. Summer Science Program(SSP):
If you have a budget to spend and would like to try an MIT-hosted program in different locations across the US, SSP would be a great option. You do not need a background in research to get into this program - the program information emphasizes that this program will build foundational skills in research. This program only admits 36 participants, making it fairly competitive, with the acceptance rate being around 10%!
The curriculum focuses primarily on a central research project in either astrophysics, biochemistry, or genomics.
- In the Astrophysics program, you will be put in teams of 3 and will be expected to determine the orbit of a near-earth asteroid (minor planet) from direct astronomical observations.
- In the Biochemistry program, your team will design a small molecule to inhibit an enzyme from a fungal crop pathogen.
- In the Genomics program, your team will build a bioreactor to stimulate the evolution of antibiotic resistance in E. coli, and then analyze its DNA for mutations.
This 6-week program is co-sponsored by MIT and offered at locations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Indiana.
Fee/stipend: There is a program fee of up to $7,950, but generous need-based financial aid is available for a majority of the participants.
Application deadline: For 2024, they will open in mid-December. You can check for updates here.
Program dates: June-July 2024 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors (and a few truly exceptional sophomores) who have completed the pre-requisites by summer, and will be at least 15 years old, but not yet 19, during the program. International students may also apply.
6. Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE)
If you’d like a program with a smaller time commitment and a razor-sharp focus on radar systems, then you should definitely consider LLRISE! This is a project-based enrichment program, focused on making just one project, a Doppler and range radar system. This project will help you learn how to use creative problem-solving strategies and engineering concepts to build a radar system from the ground up.
This will include 3D printing the necessary components, soldering the board, assembling them into one machine, and putting your invention to the test. Throughout this process, you will have the guidance of the faculty. Inevitably, two weeks is too short of a time to get to know deeply about MIT’s campus and learn beyond a simple introduction to radar systems.
Even if an engineering major isn’t your prospective, knowledge of radar systems is useful in other majors as well (marine biology, shipping, aviation - to name a few!).
Fee/stipend: None.
Application deadline: For 2024, the applications will begin in January 2024. Apply here.
Program dates: July 9 – July 22, 2024 (tentatively, based on the previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: High school juniors (completing their junior year) and U.S. Citizens. Persons from underrepresented groups including are strongly encouraged to apply.
Location: Both at MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, and Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA.
7. Mathroots by PRIMES
If you’re a fan of math, then Mathroots by PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering and Science for High School Students), is a great place for you! The PRIMES programs are very prestigious and having one of them on your college application will surely impress admissions officers. However, you must keep in mind that the prerequisites for this program are slightly higher than what’s expected of a high-school student. You are expected to be comfortable with algebra, geometry, trigonometry, exponents, logarithms, and precalculus.
This 14-day program will help you with creative problem-solving in math and introduce you to techniques of mathematical proofs, which are a must for any prospective math major. The jump from high school to college-level proofs is usually very vast so having the techniques taught in this program under your belt would be a very good strategy. This knowledge of proofs will also help you pursue research projects in math, if that’s something you’re interested in, with more ease.
Fee/ stipend: None
Application deadline: Applications for Mathroots 2024 will be available in early 2024. It will likely be due by March 2024.
Program dates: June 24, 2024 - July 8, 2024 (tentatively, based on 2023’s schedule)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or attending high school in the U.S. (before the last year of high school). Students from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
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!
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