STEM and engineering
BWSI (MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute)
BWSI is a 4-week commuter program run by MIT Beaver Works (MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT School of Engineering). Open to: students entering their senior year of high school.
- Application deadline
- March 31
- Cost
- Paid, aid available
- Who can apply
- Grade 11
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 4 weeks
- Commuter
What students do
Students complete an online prerequisite course in the spring, then take a four-week project-based course in July. Course topics include artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, radar and satellites.
- Artificial intelligence
- Autonomy
- Radar
- Satellites
- Engineering
Key facts
- Run by
- MIT Beaver Works (MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT School of Engineering)
- Where
- Cambridge, MA (commuter)
- Who can apply
- Students entering their senior year of high schoolMust live or attend high school in the United States.
- Dates
- July (exact dates not posted)
- Cost
- Free for family income under $200,000; $3,000 above that; housing is not included for in-person programs
- Deadline
- March 31 (prerequisite online course registration); teacher recommendation due April 2Application opens Online prerequisite course opens February 1.
Official program siteOfficial application pageMassachusetts Institute of Technology admissions profile
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
- Teacher recommendation
- Parent or financial forms
Students self-register, complete an online prerequisite course, then submit three short essays (500 words or less each), a teacher or adult mentor recommendation, and parent information with a signature.
How a mentor helps with your BWSI application
- Decide whether BWSI fits, and which similar programs to apply to alongside it.
- Work backward from the deadline so essays, recommendations, and forms are not left to the last week.
- Draft and revise the essays or short answers with one-on-one feedback.
Email me the BWSI deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Similar programs
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MITESMIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) | Cambridge, MAResidential | 11th graders | Free | February 1, 11:59 pm PST |
| WTPMIT Department of Mechanical Engineering | Cambridge, MAResidential | High school students now in grade 11 | Paid, aid available | December 21, 2026 |
| ASPIREJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory | Laurel, MDCommuter | High school juniors and seniors | Free | Not posted |
| ASPIREHarvey Mudd College | Claremont, CAResidential | Rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders | Paid | March 31, 2026 (priority deadline; rolling admission afterward until full)Last cycle’s date |
| BSASUC Berkeley GLOBE (Global Learning and Outreach from Berkeley Engineering) | Berkeley, CACommuter | High school students ages 15 to 17 by the start of the program | Paid, aid available | March 31, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| COSMOSUniversity of California | CAResidential | Rising 9th through rising 12th graders | Paid, aid available | February 5, 2027 |
All stem and engineering programsPrograms in MassachusettsEvery program
Frequently asked questions
When is the BWSI application deadline?
The deadline is March 31 (prerequisite online course registration); teacher recommendation due April 2. The application opens Online prerequisite course opens February 1.
How much does BWSI cost?
Free for family income under $200,000; $3,000 above that; housing is not included for in-person programs. Financial aid is available.
Who can apply to BWSI?
Students entering their senior year of high school. Must live or attend high school in the United States.
What does the BWSI application require?
Essays or short answers, Teacher recommendation, Parent or financial forms. Students self-register, complete an online prerequisite course, then submit three short essays (500 words or less each), a teacher or adult mentor recommendation, and parent information with a signature.
Read from the program’s own site and last checked 2026-10-09. Programs change dates, fees, and requirements each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with this program.
