MIT Minority Introduction to Engineering and Sciences (MITES)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Five rigorous math, science, and humanities courses paired with lab tours, social events, and college admissions counseling, firsthand insight into the value of STEM degrees and careers.
Who should apply
A great fit for high school juniors (rising seniors) from underserved and under-resourced backgrounds with strong STEM interest who want a fully funded MIT STEM experience; MITES Saturdays serves 7th–12th graders in Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence, MA.
Eligibility
- MITES Summer and MITES Semester: in 11th grade (or equivalent) at time of application (rising seniors)
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a current green card
- Virtual MITES Semester: can't reside or travel outside the U.S. and its territories while participating
- MITES Saturdays: 7th–12th graders in Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence, MA
- Focus on students from underserved and under-resourced backgrounds
What you get
- Free to students, all educational, food, and boarding costs covered
- MITES Summer: six-week residential STEM program for rising seniors (travel scholarships available)
- MITES Semester: six-month STEM program (June–December)
- MITES Saturdays: multi-year STEM academy (transportation provided for Lawrence, MA students)
What the application involves
- Online application with essay/short-answer questions (including at least one optional additional essay)
- Three recommendations via the portal (math/science teacher, humanities teacher, and a counselor or administrator)
- Unofficial transcript including 11th-grade first-semester grades, uploaded by the counselor
- Standardized test scores not required (may be submitted if available)
Application tips
- Give your three recommenders plenty of lead time and make sure your counselor uploads the transcript and school profile.
- Use the essays to convey genuine STEM curiosity and obstacles you've worked through, review is holistic.
- Answer the optional additional essay if it lets you add meaningful context.
- Submit test scores only if they strengthen your application.
- Note deadlines: application ~February 1, recommenders ~February 15 in a recent cycle.
Good to know
Selection is holistic, weighing demonstrated STEM interest and a strong academic record; a waitlist exists. Decisions release mid-to-late April.
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Same kind of opportunity, soonest deadline first.
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