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Pages: WISE 2023

WISE is a three-day program for rising seniors to learn what it’s like to be an MIT student!

The Weekend Immersion in Science & Engineering program is completely free, including the cost of transportation to and from MIT. We strongly encourage students from underrepresented and/or underserved backgrounds to apply, including students who come from low socioeconomic means, live in a rural area, or might be the first in their family to attend college.

Program overview

WISE begins in the afternoon on Sunday, October 15, and concludes in the afternoon on Tuesday, October 17. (Yes, we know it’s no longer really a weekend.) Participants stay on campus with a current MIT undergraduate student and learn firsthand about academics and campus life. As a participant, you’ll experience our campus community by working with and getting to know current students and faculty. You’ll also attend workshops that offer tips on the college admissions and financial aid application process.

Travel

The cost of transportation to and from campus is covered by MIT for all participants. Details on booking travel are provided to all participants who confirm their attendance. Please do not make any travel arrangements on your own. Participants book their travel through our travel partners. Details are provided to participants closer to the program date.

Accommodations and meals

Participants are hosted by a current MIT undergraduate student and stay with them in the residence halls. This may be a single-sex or co-ed hall. Participants fill out a host-matching form with housing preferences prior to attending the program. All meals are provided for the entire program.

Application details

The application for the 2023 program is now closed.

There is no application fee and completed applications are due by August 19 at 11:59 PM ET. We will notify all applicants in early September. Make sure to check with your parents, teachers, and coaches before applying, as the program takes place during the week and you will miss ~two days of school.

And, don’t worry, we’ll provide you with a participation letter to take back to your school if you need one.

What you need for the application

There are a few things that you should have ready before you start the application:

  • An unofficial transcript
  • Your current standardized test scores and dates if you have taken them*
  • Responses to several short answer questions (we’ve listed them below so that you can prepare your answers in advance)

*Please note: Test scores are not required to apply to WISE. However, if you have already taken a standardized test, we encourage you to submit your score, as it helps us more accurately assess your fit for the program. 

Short answer questions

We want to learn a bit more about you, and why you’re interested in WISE. Be yourself, there’s no right or wrong answer!

  • Why are you interested in attending the WISE program? (250 words or fewer)
  • What experiences, opportunities, and/or challenges have most shaped your educational journey thus far? (150 words or fewer)
  • Which MIT major/department is most interesting to you right now? For more information about what each department at MIT offers, click here.
  • Based on your previous answer, why does this major/department at MIT interest you most? How does this major/department contribute to your interest in STEM (the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)? (200 words or fewer)
  • What’s your favorite place on Earth and why? (100 words or fewer)

How to apply in three easy steps

Please read all of the steps below before beginning your application!

  1. Create your account in our application system if you don’t already have one. It’s easy and will only take a couple of minutes. If you already have one, jump to step two!
  2. Click the link below to apply. You are able to save your progress and come back to the application as many times as you need. Save the link or come back to this page to access your application in progress.
  3. Once you have everything the way you want it, hit submit!

Once you’ve submitted your application, there’s nothing else that you need to do! We’ll be in touch when we release decisions in early September.

Still have questions? Just ask!

WISE is an MIT Admissions program. If you have any questions, email us at [email protected]. We are happy to chat!