@FLartkid29 thanks for the tip! Do you have anything else to add? Any other tips for our essays etc. You can also tell us a little more about yourself and what you believe helped you get accepted into the program was.
@FLartkid29 I think most of us want to get into MITES, so I was wondering what is your opinion of MOSTEC? Is it as amazing as the other programs?
@Iamquiteloud I got 80 in math, and 50 in CR and W… u.u I really hope that the fact that I only have a year learning english helps me justify those low scores
To be honest, I can’t really pinpoint what lead my application to the accepted pile. I didn’t put too much thought into it since I was just glad to get in at all! It seems that MIT looks for things that just can’t be measured (and this goes for MITES as well), like creativity, curiosity, excitement, and the ambition to do something great. Scores and grades are important too, but those are only qualifiers. How your applications represents you as a whole is what’s really important (especially those essays).
MOSTEC is awesome! Even though I wanted MITES, I’m glad I got into MOSTEC and I think I benefited more from it. It’s six months online with MIT alumni, teachers, and amazing kids from all over the country. I was really challenged by those courses and I made connections with powerful people in the STEM field. We also got a chance to stay at MIT for a week. MOSTEC was an incredible experience and I would highly recommend it. I gained a lot of new knowledge and made some amazing friends.
Also if any one of you do get selected for E2 or MOSTEC instead of MITES, don’t consider it as some kind of lame 3rd place prize. These are all remarkable opportunities and it would be an honor to be selected into any of them. Just the fact that you get to work with faculty from MIT is awesome enough.
Hello guys! I have a question. This year I have an online teacher for science so is it okay if I just get a recommendation from my science teacher from last year? Also, I recently got a new math teacher & he doesn’t know me that well so what should I do about that? Get a recommendation from him anyway? I would ask my teacher from last year but the problem with that is…he was an online teacher too x____x
Should I mention this to them? & if I do, where should I mention it? Thank you! (I feel like I’ve seen an email for questions somewhere, but now I can’t find it!)
@lilmonet1 I would email mites@mit.edu
They ask for recs from current teachers, but you have a good reason to instead ask teachers from grade ten. Email them and ask if it’s okay (which it hopefully will be).
@lilmonet1 I’m in the same boat and I got this from their FAQ page:
- 17.Do my letters of recommendation have to come from my current math or science teacher? Unless you do not currently have a math or science teacher, your letters of recommendation must come from your current math and science teachers. If you are not taking a science or math course this year, please ask a science or math teacher from last year to provide your letter of recommendation.
- 19.I do not have a math or science teacher this semester. What should I do? If you have not had a science of math class yet this semester, please ask a science or math teacher from last year to provide your letter of recommendation. We must have a letter from each of these two subject areas.
In case you’re home schooled:
- 21.I am homeschooled. Who should I ask for my letters of recommendation?
We strongly encourage homeschooled students to get recommendations from individuals other than their parents. We suggest they reach out to a representative of a local community group to which they belong or an instructor from a class they took at a local college, school, or online.
And in case you feel your situation is unique and you want to contact the office:
-29.How do I contact the MITES office?
Please feel free to email our office at mitesapp@mit.edu or call at 617-253-3298. Our office hours are 9AM-5PM EST.
Good luck 
Thank you guys! I’ll email them right now! 
My guidance counselor said that courses from this school year would not appear on my transcript…1) how accurate is that? And 2) does that mean I should list this year’s courses where it says “if applicable, how many courses would you like to detail here that were not listed on your transcript?”
Also, I take a couple of courses at the local community college. I took two last semester & I’m taking 2 this semester (starts on Wednesday). Should I get a copy of my transcript from my college? Is it possible for my school to just add them in on my HS transcript?
I know I just asked a lot of questions lol. But thanks for all the help you guys!
Okay, just one more thing. This is for MITES alum. When did you get notified that you got accepted/rejected for the program?
I found out on April 25th. However, I heard that this date was late in the month compared to other years’ release dates.
Also, in my app I detailed my college courses in the section to list the ones that aren’t on your transcript. If your first semester grades aren’t on your transcript, I would also detail those. If you can send in an updated transcript later when your first semester grades come out, I would do that as well.
Hmmm, any pros want to comment on the “optional” essay section?
I just stumbled upon MITES, found it quite attractive, and started applying. For the test scores, should i submit my PSAT score (231), or wait to find out the results from my January 24th (to be taken) SAT? Thank you.
Why not both? @SMPak786
Hi! Kinda late to this thread, but I just made an account about 5 seconds ago so I hope it’s alright!! I’ve been looking at MITES and a bunch of other super-competitive programs, but I’m really worried I won’t get into any, and I don’t have the financial means to apply to ones based purely on if you can afford the tuition. Do you guy have any suggestions on kind of back-up programs that will still be challenging/worthwhile?
My backup plan is a summer program in the University of Chicago. But it’s just for students from Chicago
@anchen Did you try RSI?
I feel almost like RSI would be just as difficult 
I know a girl from my city went last year and she was you know, that type that’s an ISEF winner and nationally ranked swimmer and stuff-- or am I just psyching myself out?? My ACT was a 34, but I only got a 29 in math, my PSAT was only a 209, and I’m second in my class-- unfortunately I haven’t built any like shelters for homeless children in Africa so I don’t have any incredible community service under my belt either, just volunteering at the DFL. Maan, this is hard. I don’t know what I’m doing so I definitely appreciate your help though!!
You can get accepted with your essays!
My PSAT score was 155!!! and I think I have a big chance!!!
In my case, I have a 80 on math but really bad scores in CR & W… so I am telling them how I grew up in aMexican family and that Spanish is the language that I know the best…
If you have a weak point, explain to them why. They like if you admit your weaknesses and how you’re trying to overcome them (my friend went to MITES in 2013, he also had bad scores for english)
@Luisfer12 Man you’re getting me really pumped! Haha it sounds like your chances are pretty good-- best of luck to you and thanks for your help!!