Research
RSI (Research Science Institute)
RSI is a 7-week program run by Center for Excellence in Education, hosted at MIT. Open to: high school juniors (seniors are not eligible).
- Application deadline
- December 11, 2026, 11:59 p
- Cost
- Free
- Who can apply
- Grade 11
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 7 weeks
What students do
Students take one week of STEM classes, then spend five weeks on a mentored research internship. The last week is spent on written and oral presentations of their research.
- STEM research
- Science
- Mathematics
- Engineering
Key facts
- Run by
- Center for Excellence in Education, hosted at MIT
- Where
- Cambridge, MA
- Who can apply
- High school juniors (seniors are not eligible)Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and some international applicants by country; recommended PSAT Math of at least 740 and Reading/Writing of 700, or ACT Math of at least 33 and verbal of at least 34.
- Dates
- Not posted
- Cost
- Cost-free to students
- Deadline
- December 11, 2026, 11:59 pm
- Selectivity
- The site describes the MIT cohort as 100 students, with 50 more scholars at a Stanford site starting in 2027.
Official program siteOfficial application pageMassachusetts Institute of Technology admissions profile
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
- Transcript
- Teacher recommendation
- Test scores
Requires responses to questions about STEM goals, an official transcript, two teacher recommendations (maximum of three letters), and PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP scores.
How a mentor helps with your RSI application
- Decide whether RSI 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 RSI deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Similar programs
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RISEBoston University Summer Term | Boston, MAResidential or commuter | Current high school juniors (entering senior year) | Paid, aid available | February 3, 2027, 11:59 pm Eastern |
| AEOPArmy Educational Outreach Program | Multiple locationsCommuter | Current high school students (also open to undergraduates) | Free with stipend | Varies by position; applications are always openLast cycle’s date |
| Clark ScholarsTexas Tech University | Lubbock, TXResidential | Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates | Free with stipend | February 15, 2027, 11:59 pm CT |
| GarciaGarcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces, Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NYResidential or commuter | High school students at least 16 years old | Paid | Not posted |
| LLPPrinceton University Science Outreach | Princeton, NJCommuter | Local New Jersey high school students age 16 or older | Free | March 15, 2026, 11:59 pm ESTLast cycle’s date |
| REACHScripps Research | La Jolla, CACommuter | High school students at least 16 years old | Free with stipend | March 22, 2026Last cycle’s date |
Frequently asked questions
When is the RSI application deadline?
The deadline is December 11, 2026, 11:59 pm.
How much does RSI cost?
Cost-free to students.
Who can apply to RSI?
High school juniors (seniors are not eligible). Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and some international applicants by country; recommended PSAT Math of at least 740 and Reading/Writing of 700, or ACT Math of at least 33 and verbal of at least 34.
What does the RSI application require?
Essays or short answers, Transcript, Teacher recommendation, Test scores. Requires responses to questions about STEM goals, an official transcript, two teacher recommendations (maximum of three letters), and PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP scores.
How hard is it to get into RSI?
The site describes the MIT cohort as 100 students, with 50 more scholars at a Stanford site starting in 2027.
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.
