Research competitive summer programs

Overview

The most selective summer programs have December-March deadlines. Researching now gives you time to prepare strong applications!

Programs with December-March Deadlines

STEM-Focused

| Program | Deadline | Details | |---------|----------|---------| | RSI (MIT) | ~Dec 10 | Free, 6 weeks at MIT, ~5% acceptance | | SSP | ~Feb 19 | Astronomy/Biochem, $9,800 (aid available) | | COSMOS (UC) | ~Feb 6 | CA residents, ~$5,500 (aid available) | | Stanford SIMR | ~Feb 21 | Medical research, free with stipend | | MITES/MOSTEC | ~Feb 1 | Free, for underrepresented students |

Humanities-Focused

| Program | Deadline | Details | |---------|----------|---------| | TASP (Telluride) | ~Dec 3 | Free, humanities seminars, ~3% acceptance | | Governor's Schools | Varies by state | Often free, January deadlines |

What Applications Typically Require

• Transcript
• Test scores (if available)
• 1-2 teacher recommendations
• Essays (usually 1-3)
• Activities list

Research Checklist

For each program you're interested in:

• ☐ Check eligibility requirements
• ☐ Note application deadline
• ☐ List required materials
• ☐ Review essay prompts
• ☐ Identify potential recommenders

Encouraging Note

These programs are extremely competitive. Applying is valuable practice regardless of outcome!