7 Summer Programs at MIT for High Schoolers

Your teen has many choices when it comes to summer activities. There could be summer job possibilities, internships at home or away, or summer sports camps. When it comes to summer activities, one strong choice is a summer program hosted by a college.

In some cases, students might be able to attend a summer program at a school that is high on his or her list. In other cases, he or she might choose the program based on interest or proximity. Some students might even select programs at prestigious institutions. Of these, MIT is a very popular choice. In this post we outline seven great summer program offerings at MIT.

Want to learn what MIT will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering MIT needs to know.

Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

There are two primary reasons to attend summer programs. The first is interest. Many teens yearn to learn more about topics that aren’t covered in enough depth at school. Some even want to learn about something that isn’t offered at all at school. Summer programs provide the programming and resources to explore interests in depth. These pursuits not only lead to gained knowledge and skills, but also to important insights that might guide a future college major or career choice.

The second reason to enroll in summer programs is because many college admissions committees will be interested in how your teen has spent his or her summers. Specifically, adcoms look for students who have used their summer productively. Has your teen done something to better him or herself, or his or her community? These are the types of experiences admissions committees love to see, and summer programs fit this vision well.

Summer Programs at MIT

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Summer High School Launch Entrepreneurship Program

In this four-week long intensive, residential camp, students learn entrepreneurial skills through workshops and classes while building a real product and solving realistic business challenges.

• Grades Eligible: 9-11
• Cost: Varies by income. Total tuition is $8,000. More information can be found on the admissions site.
• Deadline: Early decision deadline of Dec. 21, 2018. Regular decision deadline of Feb. 25, 2019.

2. Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)

The MITES program is a six-week long residential program geared towards rising seniors from underrepresented or underserved communities. The program aims to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for pursuing a career in the STEM fields. Students take one math course, one life sciences course, one physics course, one humanities course and an elective course. Placement is determined by diagnostic tests that are administered to all students during the orientation period of the program.

• Grades Eligible: Rising 12th graders only.
• Cost: Free. Yes, you read that correctly. Admissions are exceptionally competitive due in large part to this being a completely program, including room and board. Families must pay transportation costs to and from MIT.
• Deadline: February 1, 2019.
• Essay Prompts: Essay prompts for the 2019 summer program include the following:
  • What are some career goals you have for yourself at the moment? How might the OEOP summer programs help you attain these goals?
  • What are you passionate about? How have you spent time developing this passion?
  • There are many parts that make us individuals. How has a specific part of your identity (race, culture, first generation college student, gender, etc) impacted your academic development or shaped your academic aspirations?
  • Please describe a significant challenge you have faced and how you overcame it. (This challenge can be personal, academic, or social).
  • If you could develop, invent, or innovate anything to change the world for the better or improve the lives of others, what would it be, and why?

3. Research Science Institute

The Research Science Institute, organized by the Center for Excellence in Education, takes place at MIT over a period of seven weeks each summer. During this time, students live on campus and split their time between on-campus academic coursework and off-campus hands-on work in science and technology. The Center for Excellence in Education describes that students are true participants in the entire research cycle when “they read the most current literature in their field, draft and execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on their findings.”

• Grades Eligible: Rising 12th graders only.
• Cost: Free. Yes, you read that correctly. Admissions are exceptionally competitive due in large part to this being a completely program, including room and board. Families must pay transportation costs to and from MIT.
• Deadline: January 15, 2019.
• Essay Prompts: Essay prompts for the 2019 summer program include the following:
  • Articulate why the research fields chosen on the previous page are intriguing and exciting to you. For each sub-field, state what you perceive as the one or two most interesting questions or problems in this area. Explain why these sorts of questions interest you. Your responses are shared with mentors. Please respond with clarity.
  • What are your long-range goals?
  • What activities and/or hobbies demonstrate your leadership, creativity and uniqueness?
  • Describe your participation in extracurricular or community outreach activities?
  • How did you hear about RSI? What aspects most appeal to you? Why did you apply?

4. MIT Women’s Technology Program

Through this four-week long program, young women are invited to deepen their knowledge and skills in the field of engineering. This residential program is an intense academic experience and consists of hands-on classes, labs, and team-based projects.

• Grades Eligible: Rising 12th graders only.
• Cost: $3500
• Deadline: January 15, 2019. See the registration website for more details.

5. Beaver Works Summer Institute

The Beaver Works Summer Institute provides STEM skill instruction through project-based, workshop-style courses. This residential program takes place over the course of four weeks and tends to accept students have proven themselves as very talented already.

• Grades Eligible: Rising 12th graders only.
• Cost: Free, though admissions are highly competitive.
• Deadline: Registration begins with registering for online classes on December 1, 2018. Online classes take place in February, and students must show significant progress in order to apply. Applications for the summer program are due in April.

6. Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE)

The LLRISE program is a two-week long summer institute that teaches students how to build small radar systems. The project-based enrichment program challenges students to build a Doppler and range radar.  

• Grades Eligible: Rising 12th graders only.
• Cost: Free, though admissions are extremely competitive.
• Deadline: Applications due by 3/31/2019. More information available on the admissions website.

7. Engineering and Robotics at MIT

Sponsored by National Geographic, this two-week long residential program focuses on three primary areas: engineering the future, computer science, and innovations in robotics. Through a combination of seminars and fieldwork, students learn from National Geographic experts while experiencing campus life at MIT.

• Grades Eligible: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Cost: $5390
• Deadline: Applications are rolling and more information is available here.

How Can You Find The Best Summer Programs For Your Teen?

Finding the right summer program for your teen can seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be so difficulty. Narrow down options based on interests, cost, and geographic location. Consider programs at schools that your teen is interest in attending or programs in the fields that he or she might pursue.

Looking for help navigating the road to college as a high school student? Download our free guide for 9th graders and our free guide for 10th graders. Our guides go in-depth about subjects ranging from academics, choosing courses, standardized tests, extracurricular activities, and much more!

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