6 MIT Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students in 2024-2025
Participating in pre-college programs can be a good use of your summer if you’re a high schooler who enjoys learning. These programs usually provide an opportunity to delve into topics beyond the typical high school curriculum. You can gain a deeper understanding of your academic interests and start building skills that will be valuable for your future career. These advanced programs can also foster critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation—traits that are highly valued in college and beyond.
Doing a pre-college program at a prestigious institution like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology can have a significant impact on your college application. Seeking early exposure to advanced topics demonstrates initiative, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to tackle complex problems. Admissions committees at top universities, including MIT itself, look for students who want to learn beyond the classroom.
Here are 6 pre-college summer programs for high school students at MIT in 2024-2025.
Cost: Free of charge (students only pay for transportation to and from MIT)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors
Application Deadline: TBD (typically in winter or early spring)
Program Dates: Late June to early August (6 weeks)
MITES Summer (formerly MITES) is a prestigious, six-week summer program hosted on MIT's campus designed for high school juniors interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The program provides a college-like experience, offering you the chance to take five advanced courses in math, science, and humanities. The curriculum includes electives on topics such as Machine Learning, Architecture, and Genomics, exposing you to areas not typically covered in high school.
You will not only engage in rigorous academics but also partake in lab tours, social events, and workshops that provide insight into life at MIT. The program also offers college admissions counseling, preparing you to apply to competitive schools like MIT. Through this experience, you will build both academic knowledge and personal skills essential for success in STEM careers. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Greater Boston area and engage in social activities, making this a well-rounded summer experience. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Cost: Free
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors); strong mathematical, scientific, and academic potential is essential
Application Deadline: December 11, 2024
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (exact dates TBD)
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious summer program that gathers 100 of the brightest high school students from around the globe at MIT. As the first cost-free summer science and engineering program, RSI offers a unique blend of intensive coursework and independent research. The program begins with a one-week immersion in STEM courses led by MIT professors. Following this, you will engage in five weeks of research, conducting individual projects in science and technology under the guidance of mentors.
The program allows you to experience the entire research process, from literature review to experimental design, data collection, and presenting your findings in written and oral formats. This rigorous experience not only sharpens your academic and research skills but also provides a significant boost to college applications. To learn more about RSI, check out our full guide here.
Cost: Free
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Women high school juniors
Application Deadline: Late November (exact date TBD)
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (exact dates TBD)
The MIT Women's Technology Program (WTP) is a selective four-week summer program designed to introduce high school girls to engineering. Targeted at students in the summer after their junior year, WTP offers hands-on classes, labs, and collaborative projects to explore the mechanical engineering field. You will live on MIT’s campus and work closely with faculty and peers to build foundational engineering skills.
The program is aimed at students who excel in math and science but have had limited opportunities to explore engineering. WTP is an excellent chance for those unsure about pursuing engineering in college to gain real-world insights into the field and determine if it aligns with their future aspirations.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA and Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA
Cost: Free (participants cover transportation to and from MIT)
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025
Internship Dates: July 14 – 27, 2025 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens
The Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE) is a two-week summer workshop for high school juniors interested in STEM. During this program, you will learn to build small radar systems, gaining hands-on experience with Doppler and range radar technology. LLRISE offers a unique opportunity to work with experienced scientists and engineers. In addition to building radar systems, you will engage with cutting-edge technology at both the MIT campus and Lincoln Laboratory. The program especially encourages applications from underrepresented groups.
Cost: $1,750 for families with an income greater than $150,000; free for all other families
Location: Virtual or Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: High school students of grade no greater than junior year who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students attending U.S. high schools
Application Deadlines: March 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: July 18 – August 4, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) offers virtual and in-person summer courses designed to challenge and develop students' technical abilities in various STEM fields. You must first apply to and complete a BWSI online course before being eligible to apply for the summer program. Although 2025 courses haven’t been released yet, they are likely to be similar to 2024 courses. In previous years, BWSI has offered summer courses in autonomous cognitive assistance, microelectronics, and game development using Artificial Intelligence. To learn more about this program, check out our guide here.
Cost: Fully funded
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Program Dates: June 28 – July 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students from disadvantaged or underserved communities with a strong interest in mathematics
MathRoots is a 14-day summer program designed for high school students who are passionate about mathematics and come from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. Hosted by MIT-PRIMES, this program aims to explore creative and advanced mathematical concepts beyond the standard curriculum. You will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of classes, problem-solving activities, and group projects.
The curriculum covers unique and challenging topics in both research mathematics and math competitions, making it an excellent fit for students who want to deepen their understanding of the subject. In addition to the academic component, you will benefit from guest lectures by prominent mathematicians. The program also offers networking opportunities with peers who share an interest in math and instructors.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.