If you are a high school junior (or rising senior) who is considering pursuing engineering in college, then you should consider getting an introduction to the field before committing to a degree. One way to do that is by enrolling in an engineering summer program like the MITE at the University of Texas at Austin. Organized by UT Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering, the MITE program introduces high schoolers to engineering as a career path and helps prepare them for college as engineering students.

Participating in such programs can not only help you learn more about the field of choice but also boost your profile while applying to colleges. The experience would indicate to the admissions team that you are willing to learn beyond the school curriculum and explore your chosen field.

In this blog, we will review MITE at UT Austin in detail and weigh the pros and cons to help you decide whether to apply!

What is MITE?

My Introduction to Engineering (MITE) is a five-day summer camp organized by the UT Cockrell School of Engineering. MITE is intended for high schoolers interested in engineering, science, and math. At the camp, the participants get to engage with university faculty, students, and staff and engage in various activities to explore the field of engineering. This is an in-person program held at the UT Austin campus, Texas, so participants get to reside in the on-campus dorm.

How is MITE structured?

MITE program is a 5-day camp. Participants are supposed to live in the on-campus dorm throughout the program. During the program, students will work on an engineering project and participate in other hands-on activities, while also learning about engineering through lectures, seminars, and tours. They will also get to interact with UT engineering students, faculty, alumni, and staff, giving them a glimpse of life as a Texas student. The program also focuses on enhancing college readiness, so students will get to learn about college admissions and financial aid and get some guidance to feel better prepared for university education. The program activities are likely to be scheduled from morning to night each day, so students will not have time for commitments outside the program.

Who is eligible?

The MITE program is strictly open to high school juniors or rising seniors who reside in the U.S. The programming team focuses on applicants’ academic preparation—essays, grades, rank, involvement in extracurricular activities, and interests. So, students must fulfill at least one of the established academic criteria for their application to be considered.

Note: UT Austin encourages students belonging to disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and those with limited exposure to engineering in high school to apply to MITE.

For more details, you should check the FAQs here before applying.

Is it prestigious?

UT Austin is one of the top public universities in the U.S. as well as the world. Its Cockrell School of Engineering, on the other hand, is among the top 10 engineering schools in the country. Its MITE program is moderately selective but places a strong emphasis on academics while accepting applications. So, out of 500 applications the team receives each year, only 100 students are accepted—50 per session.

Attending the program will not guarantee admission to the Cockrell School of Engineering in the future, but the experience and the UT Austin tag can boost your profile, making your college application stand out.

Dates & deadlines

Application period: MITE applications are typically open from the end of January to the end of March. The deadline to apply is usually March 25. 

Program dates: The program has two sessions, limited to 50 students per session. Session 1 typically runs from June 23–27 and Session 2 runs from July 7–11. 

Cost

The program fee is $100, which includes housing and meals. The payment will only have to be submitted once you are accepted into the program.

Pros and cons

Pros:

1. Learning opportunity: MITE can be a great learning opportunity for those interested in engineering. At the camp, students also work on an engineering project in groups. This can help them explore their interests in a collaborative setting and learn to work as a team. Not just that, the program also gives participants a sneak peek into the life of a college student and what a university education would be like. So, students may feel better prepared for college and a career in engineering.

2. Low cost: Although the program is not free, a $100 fee, which includes accommodation and meals makes MITE quite an affordable option to consider, especially in comparison with other pre-college programs and summer camps available for high schoolers.
   
   

3. Networking opportunity: At the camp, students will get to interact with UT Austin faculty, engineering students, and staff as well as other high school juniors from across the country. Even when it comes to lodging, the program team also ensures that each student is paired with a roommate (camp participant) from a different high school, giving both of them a chance to form new connections and learn about each other. So, the experience can help students build a network of like-minded peers and other people in the field. This network can help students find assistance or similar opportunities in the future.

Cons:

1. Limited scope: As MITE is a 5-day camp, it may not be able to cover all the aspects, concepts, and career opportunities available in the field of engineering. It can only offer an introduction to the field, which might not be enough for making an informed decision regarding pursuing engineering.
   
   

2. Not open to all high schoolers: The program is only meant for high school juniors/rising seniors who meet the academic criteria. So, high school freshmen, sophomores, and graduating seniors considering pursuing engineering cannot apply to the program to learn more about the field.
   
   

3. No transportation aid: Participants who do not live in Austin will have to cover travel expenses and make their own arrangements to reach the campus and return home once the program ends. If students drive to the campus, they can find parking for approximately $15 to $18 per day. So, along with the $100 fee, students should account for transportation expenses before applying to the program. 

Our review: Should you apply?

The MITE program at UT Austin is worth considering if you are a high school junior who is debating pursuing engineering in college and as a career path. Although not free, the low-cost summer camp can be a good opportunity to learn something new and interact with engineering professors and students. Also, as this is an on-campus program offering a first-hand look at the lives of college students, it is especially worth applying to if you plan on enrolling in a Texas university in the future. The program can also help you boost your profile, indicating that you are driven when it comes to exploring academic interests. Finally, as the camp only lasts 5 days, it won’t take up a lot of your time during the summer break. You have the rest of the summer to participate in other programs—pre-college programs, internships, courses, and more—to boost your profile further.

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