About

MITES (originally founded in 1974 as the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) is one of the most prestigious free STEM programs for U.S. high school students. Hosted by MIT’s School of Engineering, the program’s mission is to expand access to advanced STEM education for underrepresented and underserved students. Each summer about 70–80 rising seniors attend this six-week, residential program. Tuition, housing, and meals are fully covered— making MITES not only elite but also entirely free.

MITES is among the most competitive programs of its kind, with an admit rate under 3%. The application requires multiple essays, recommendations, transcripts, and evidence of STEM preparation. Eligibility is limited to U.S. students, with particular emphasis on those from underrepresented racial, ethnic, and lower-income backgrounds. This specific mission explains why MITES—unlike some peer programs that admit internationally—only accepts US students.

Students live on the MIT campus and follow a curriculum that mirrors the intensity of a college engineering core. Coursework includes rigorous classes in calculus, physics, biology, chemistry, and computer science, supplemented by problem-solving seminars and labs. Yet despite the intense academic environment, the instructors—MIT faculty and graduate students—emphasize collaboration and resilience under pressure. Beyond academics, MITES students receive college advising, professional development, and exposure to MIT’s research culture.

MITES is universally recognized as one of the very few summer programs that can substantially bolster, or even define, an admissions profile. Alumni frequently advance to MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Caltech, and many later pursue graduate STEM training or research careers.