College Admission: What Academic Programs to Consider for a Better Shot

Programs for High School Students

Science

●  MITES Summer

-  A six-week residential academic enrichment program designed for high school juniors interested in pursuing careers in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. The program specifically targets students from minority backgrounds and other underrepresented groups. It provides an intensive educational experience and is offered free of charge to participants, excluding transportation expenses.

-  https://mites.mit.edu/discover-mites/mites-summer/

-  Apply during the fall months of junior year, traditional deadline is usually late January/early February.

●  Research Science Institute (RSI)

-  This program at MIT brings together high school students during the summer for a period of six weeks. It offers a rigorous academic experience focused on advanced theory and research in mathematics, science, and engineering. Students attend college-level classes taught by renowned faculty members and engage in hands-on research activities. The program is open to all high school juniors and is free of charge for the selected participants.

-  https://www.cee.org/programs/research-science-institute

-  Apply during the fall months of junior year, usually November. The traditional deadline hovers around early February.

●  MITES Semester

-  MITES Semester, formerly known as MOSTEC, is a six-month hybrid learning program that focuses on STEM education and college preparation. Participants join a supportive community of talented and driven peers and develop the necessary skills and confidence for future success. The program runs from June to December and offers engaging online courses, weekly virtual webinars, social events, workshops, and meetings with peers during the fall. Participants also receive college admissions counseling and have the opportunity to learn from and network with professionals in the STEM field. The program is open to students from minority backgrounds and other underrepresented groups.

-  https://mites.mit.edu/discover-mites/mites-semester/

-  Apply during fall months of junior year, usually November. Traditional deadline is around mid to late January; under special circumstances, the deadline may be extended into the first week of February.

●  Women’s Technology Program

-  This is a women-focused program that aims to empower students from historically underrepresented groups in engineering. It offers a rigorous four-week summer academic experience specifically focused on Mechanical Engineering (ME). The program introduces 20 high school students to ME through hands-on classes, labs, and team-based projects. The classes are taught by MIT graduate and undergraduate students. The program takes place during the summer after 11th grade, providing an opportunity for students to explore and engage with the field of Mechanical Engineering.

-  https://web.mit.edu/wtp/faq.html

-  Apply during the fall months of junior year. The traditional deadline is usually January 15 every year.

●  Summer Science Program (SSP)

-  The SSP curriculum focuses on a central research project in three areas: Astrophysics, Biochemistry, and Genomics. In the Astrophysics program, teams of three students use direct astronomical observations to determine the orbit of a near-earth asteroid. In the Biochemistry program, teams design a small molecule to inhibit an enzyme from a fungal crop pathogen. In the Genomics program, teams construct a bioreactor to stimulate antibiotic resistance evolution in E. coli and analyze its DNA for mutations. These programs run for six weeks and are available at locations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Indiana. Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply if they are a current junior/exceptional sophomore by reaching the program application requisites.

-  https://summerscience.org

-  The traditional application open date is December 15. Deadline to apply varies for national and international applicants, with early February for international applicants and early March for American applicants.

●  Beaver Works Summer Institute

-  An intensive four-week program held in July, allowing high school juniors to immerse themselves in the MIT experience. Students collaborate with peers from across the country and engage in college-level coursework. The program is free of charge and prioritizes students, particularly those who may be the first in their family to pursue higher education. BWSI offers a variety of courses,