MIT THINK Scholars Mentorship
Admission Insight mentors high school students applying to the MIT THINK Scholars Program. THINK judges a proposal for a project not yet done, so we help the student build a clear idea, defined goals and a procedure that fits one semester and a $1,000 budget.
Finalists are mentored by MIT professors and researchers and receive project funding.
About the MIT THINK
What it is
A STEM research and innovation program run by MIT students. Applicants submit a project proposal.
Scope
Anything that can be completed in one semester with a $1,000 budget, across fields from green technologies and devices to software.
Finalists
Mentorship from MIT professors and researchers, up to $1,000 in funding, and, if permitting, a trip to MIT. Projects finish by June.
Dates
In the 2025-26 cycle applications opened November 1 and were due January 1. The 2026-27 dates are not posted yet.
What we help with
The idea
A question the student cares about, narrowed until it can be finished in a semester.
The plan
Goals, a procedure and a budget a reviewer can follow step by step.
The interview
Semifinalists are interviewed. The student practices explaining every choice.
The student does the work
The student owns the question, the data and the writing. We meet one on one, ask the hard questions a judge will ask, and say plainly in any disclosure what help was given.
Who mentors
Dr. Harman Brah, MD
Physician and judge at the California Science & Engineering Fair.
Wesley Hatcher, PhD
Organic chemistry, UC San Diego. NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Directed research mentorship for more than 100 UCSD undergraduates.
Results
Our students have been Regeneron STS and ISEF national semifinalists and category award winners, and have taken 1st place at JSHS and the Alameda County Science & Engineering Fair.
Free MIT THINK guides
Questions families ask
Do you help students apply to MIT THINK?
Yes. We mentor students one on one on the THINK proposal. The student writes it.
Does the project have to be finished?
No. THINK reviews a proposal; finalists carry out the project with MIT mentors and funding.
Start with a consultation
Tell us your student's grade, interests and the competition they are aiming for. We offer a complimentary 20-minute call and will say plainly whether we can help.