MIT Summer Programs for High School Students (2026)

MIT Summer Programs for High School Students 2026

MIT hosts four highly selective summer programs for high school students. RSI and MITES are full-ride scholarships; ESP and Women’s Technology are residential programs. All carry significant prestige and transform STEM applicants’ college prospects.

RSI (Research Science Institute)

Six weeks, free (full scholarship including room and board). 100 international participants selected from thousands. Hands-on research in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and computer science. Lectures from MIT faculty and visiting scientists. Participants complete publishable research projects.

Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors, exceptional STEM background (e.g., AMC/AIME high scores, or national science olympiad participation). Citizenship flexible (international students encouraged).

Application: Due January 15. Requires transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, three letters of recommendation (preferably from math/science teachers), and essays.

Impact: RSI alumni disproportionately attend Caltech, MIT, Stanford, and top universities. Research projects boost college essays significantly.

MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science)

Four weeks, full scholarship. Underrepresented minorities in STEM (Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander students). Approximately 40 participants. STEM coursework, research projects, industry mentorship (Google, Microsoft, etc.), resume building.

Eligibility: High school juniors, demonstrated interest in STEM, financial need considered.

Application: Due February. Essays focus on background, STEM interests, and how MITES would help you.

Alumni Outcomes: 95%+ attend top 50 universities; many major in engineering or computer science.

MOSTEC (Minority Outreach in Science, Engineering & Technology)

Similar to MITES: four weeks, free, for underrepresented minorities. Slightly less selective acceptance rate (~12% vs 5% for MITES). Same caliber of STEM coursework and mentorship.

ESP (Experimental Study Project)

Four weeks, residential, $5,000–$6,500 tuition. Taught by MIT undergraduates. Less selective than RSI (higher acceptance rate). Classes cover neuroscience, entrepreneurship, computer science, mathematics, and more. Flexible and exploratory; students take multiple mini-courses. Smaller cohorts allow closer faculty interaction than MIT’s main campus during semester.

Vibe: More social and relaxed than RSI; still rigorous academically.

Women’s Technology Program

Two weeks, residential, ~$3,000. For high school girls interested in computer science and engineering. Teaches Python, web development, robotics. Industry visits (Google, Amazon offices in Boston). Networking with female technologists.

General MIT Summer Program Tips

When to Apply: Apply your sophomore or junior year. Most programs prefer juniors (rising seniors). Apply in fall (October–February) to beat deadlines.

Test Scores: For RSI, strong AMC/AIME scores carry more weight than SAT. For ESP and Women’s Tech, SAT/ACT less critical.

Essays: Show genuine intellectual curiosity. Avoid generic “I love science” essays. Discuss specific research question, coding project, or engineering problem that captivates you.

College Application Impact: RSI, MITES, and MOSTEC carry enormous weight in admissions to MIT and peer institutions. ESP and Women’s Tech also boost applications but less dramatically.

See our comprehensive guide to pre-college programs for comparison with Stanford, Caltech, and Harvard summer options.