MITES: A complete guide to MIT's Summer program

Hoping to spend your summer diving deep into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at one of the world's leading universities? 

The MITES Summer program is definitely worth consideration. Why? Well, MIT’s MITES Summer program is:

  • A rigorous summer program for high school students interested in STEM subjects

  • An opportunity to live and study at MIT for six weeks 

  • Completely FREE of charge for eligible students

Of course, those three highlights also explain why this MIT summer program is among the most competitive for high school students.

Want to increase your chances of getting into the program? This guide shares everything you need to know!

 
 

What is MIT’s MITES Summer program?

MIT’s MITES Summer program is a six-week intensive program for high school juniors who are passionate about STEM fields. Students from across the country come to experience life on the MIT campus, learn about the college application process, and build a strong foundation for success in STEM careers.



With over 5,000 graduates from diverse backgrounds, MITES strives to build a more equitable and inclusive future in STEM.

What do students do in the MITES Summer?

During the MITES Summer program, students challenge themselves by taking five courses: 

  • One math course 

  • One life sciences course 

  • One physics course

  • One humanities course 

  • One project-based elective course

Students spend around seven hours per weekday in classes and other activities and around four to six hours per weekend day doing homework. Students also receive college admissions counseling and participate in activities to explore the Greater Boston area. 

Here’s a sample schedule for the MITES Summer Program:

Source

Does that schedule look demanding? Yeah, we’d agree (Cause it is). 

You can essentially think of the MITES Summer program as one semester of college condensed into six weeks. It’s challenging! But, if you’re genuinely passionate about STEM, you’d likely find the rigor worthwhile.

Who’s eligible to apply for the MITES Summer?

To apply for the MITES Summer program, you must be a:

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • High school junior

Beyond those basic eligibility requirements, the MITES program looks for students who have demonstrated a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 

Following the program’s vision—“Make science, engineering, and technology careers accessible to all”—the MITES admissions committee also strongly encourages you to apply if you come from one or more of the following backgrounds: 

  • Underrepresented in science and engineering, identifying as African American/Black; Hispanic/Latinx; Native American or Alaska Native; and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

  • Underserved, defined as coming from low socioeconomic means, which may be indicated by qualification for free/reduced lunch

  • Potentially the first family member to attend college

  • From families with an absence of science and engineering degrees

  • From high schools with low admittance rates to top-tier colleges, especially rural or predominantly minority high schools


That said, the program considers and accepts applications from any high school junior who meets the basic eligibility requirements, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

How selective is the MITES Summer program?

The MITES Summer program is highly selective, which is not surprising considering it takes place at MIT and is completely free of charge for all participants. 

Generous donations from individuals, foundations, businesses, and MIT cover all expenses for the program. You would only need to pay for your transportation to and from MIT.

MITES Summer vs MITES Semester vs MITES Saturdays

If you search “MITES,” you’ll see that MIT has several similar programs for high school students with that acronym. So, how do those programs differ from one another? 

MITES Summer—the topic of this blog post—is a six-week summer program for rising high school seniors passionate about STEM fields. Students also receive college admissions counseling and participate in workshops and activities while living on MIT’s campus. 

MITES Semester is a six-month online program for rising high school seniors passionate about STEM fields, running June through December. Like MITES Summer, students of the MITES Semester program also receive virtual college admissions counseling in addition to rigorous online courses, webinars, events, and workshops.


MITES Saturdays is a multi-year program for 7th–12th graders interested in building a strong foundation in STEM subjects through weekly classes and workshops. To participate, students must be enrolled in public schools in Boston, Cambridge, or Lawrence, Massachusetts.

MITES Summer application components and timeline

Here’s everything you’ll need when you’re ready to apply for the MITES Summer program:

  • Online application: where you’ll share general information about you, your background, and your academic course history. 

  • Unofficial transcript: must include your GPA and completed courses from 9th-10th grade and the first quarter/semester of 11th grade, if available.

  • Test scores (optional but strongly encouraged): official scores from at least one standardized test, including SAT I, PSAT, ACT, AP, or ACT Aspire/PLAN

  • Extracurricular activities: information about your extracurricular activities and passions outside of regular academic coursework (similar to the activities section on college applications).

  • 3 recommendation letters: recommendations from a 1) math or science teacher, 2) humanities teacher, 3) school counselor or administrator. All recommendations must be submitted through the MITES program’s online portal. Here’s a guide on how to ask your teachers for recommendation letters for college apps (most of the suggestions also work for getting summer program recommendation letters).

  • 5 short answer responses: 300-word (max) short essay responses to prompts designed to get a sense of who you are as an individual. For example, here are two past short answer prompts: 1) What are you passionate about? How have you spent time exploring this passion? 2) Tell us of a time you experienced a challenge or obstacle. How did you navigate the challenge, and what did you learn? The prompts may change from year to year. Check the official application for the most up-to-date prompts. Here’s a guide on how to approach brainstorming for these types of essays that you’ll also see on many college applications.

  • Additional information (optional): space to provide additional context or information to help the admissions committee better understand your circumstances and application (similar to the additional information section on college applications)

MITES Summer application timeline

And here’s the typical timeline for the MITES Summer application:

  • November - The application opens. This is also a good time to choose who to ask for recommendation letters and begin brainstorming how you’ll respond to the short answer prompts. 

  • February 1 - The application closes at 11:59 pm PST. You must also have selected all three people to write your recommendations before or on this deadline. They will receive an email from the MITES program with a link to complete a recommendation form.

  • February 15 - All three recommendations must be submitted via the online portal by 11:59 pm PST.

  • Mid-April - You receive an admissions decision for the MITES Summer program. This is also when you’ll complete the enrollment process.

Late June - The summer program begins.

Should I apply to MITES?

If you’re considering applying to the MITES Summer program, ask yourself these five questions:

1. Do you have a strong interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)?

MITES is for students who are passionate about STEM fields. A strong interest in these areas ensures that you will be motivated and engaged throughout the program and make the most of the learning opportunities provided.

2. Are you eager to challenge yourself with a rigorous academic curriculum?

The MITES program is known for its academic intensity, mirroring the rigor of MIT itself. Being prepared and excited to tackle challenging coursework will help you succeed and thrive in the demanding environment.

3. Do you want to experience what it's like to live and study at MIT?

Living on the MIT campus gives you a taste of college life at one of the world's leading universities. This experience can help you decide if MIT or a similar environment is a good fit for your future education.

4. Are you looking for a summer program that is completely free of charge for eligible students?

The MITES program is fully funded for those who qualify, removing financial barriers and making it accessible to a diverse group of talented students. If cost is a concern, this program offers a valuable opportunity without the financial burden of many summer programs.

5. Do you want to connect with like-minded peers and mentors who can help you thrive in your future STEM career?

MITES provides a unique opportunity to network with peers who share your interests and ambitions, as well as mentors who can offer guidance and support. Building these connections can be invaluable for your academic and professional development.

If you answered "yes" to these questions, the MITES Summer Program might be the perfect opportunity for you!

Other MIT summer programs

MIT also hosts and co-sponsors several other summer programs for high school students. You can consider applying for the following programs as well!

 Research Science Institute (RSI) - RSI is a highly competitive six-week summer program that brings together top high school students from around the world to conduct original research in mathematics, science, and engineering under the mentorship of experienced scientists and researchers.


Summer Science Program (SSP) - SSP is a residential enrichment program where high school students engage in hands-on research in astrophysics, biochemistry, and genomics. Participants work in small teams and gain practical experience conducting and presenting scientific research. MIT is a co-sponsor of this program, but the program does not take place on MIT’s campus. Learn more about SSP here.


Women’s Technology Program (WTP) - WTP is a four-week summer program for high school girls interested in engineering and computer science. Participants engage in rigorous coursework and hands-on projects while being mentored by female MIT students and professionals in STEM fields.


Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) - BWSI is a four-week STEM program for high school students, offering courses in areas such as autonomous underwater vehicles, robotics, and cybersecurity. Students work on hands-on projects and gain practical experience in cutting-edge technologies, guided by MIT faculty and industry experts.


MIT Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE) - LLRISE is a two-week summer program where high school students build and test their own radar systems. Participants learn about radar technology, signal processing, and engineering design, culminating in a hands-on project that applies their knowledge to real-world challenges.

iD Tech Camps - iD Tech Camps offer week-long summer programs on MIT’s campus, focusing on technology and STEM skills. Students can choose from various courses, including coding, game development, robotics, and engineering.

FAQ on MITES

Is MITES “prestigious”?

Yes, MITES is considered prestigious due to its association with MIT, one of the world's leading academic institutions in science and technology. The program's rigorous curriculum, selectivity, and history of producing successful alumni in various STEM fields contribute to its esteemed reputation.

Is it hard to get into MITES?

Yes, getting into MITES is highly competitive. The program attracts a large number of applicants from across the country, most of whom are talented and passionate about STEM. However, due to a rigorous selection process that looks for academic excellence, leadership potential, and a demonstrated interest in STEM, only a small percentage of applicants are admitted each year.

Is MITES “worth it”?

Absolutely, MITES is worth it if you’re passionate about STEM subjects. The program offers a unique opportunity to experience life at MIT, engage in advanced STEM coursework, and build a network of peers and mentors. It provides invaluable preparation for college and future careers in STEM fields. 

Final thoughts on MITES

If you’re passionate about STEM and eager to challenge yourself, the MITES Summer program could be an incredible opportunity.

The program is entirely free of charge. That’s fantastic for making the program accessible to all eligible and interested students. But that also makes it even more competitive to get into the program. Use the resources we’ve linked in the application info section of this guide to submit the best application possible! 

You can also check out the following guide if you’re curious about other ways to take advantage of your high school summer breaks: How to Spend Your High School Summer. 

 

Special thanks to Ameer Drane for writing this blog post

Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand. 


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