The process of applying to college isn’t always straightforward (though we try to be as transparent as possible at MIT!) and it can take the support of a whole community. If you want help understanding the college application process, learning how to tell your story, and finding a school where you’ll thrive, you might consider working with a college access or advising program.
Many of these programs are community-based organizations (CBOs) that support various groups of students, especially those who come from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds—such as those who have low socioeconomic means, live in a rural area, or might be the first in their family to attend college.
Here’s an incomplete list of college access and advising programs (in alphabetical order) that MIT students have found helpful in their education journeys. You may also want to talk to counselors, teachers, or other leaders in your local community to explore options near you!
MIT partner programs
College Horizons
College Horizons is a pre-college program for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian high school students, open to current sophomores and juniors. MIT is one of 45–50 colleges and selected high school college counselors, Native educators, and educational partner volunteers who provide expert and one-on-one advising to help students select colleges suitable for them to apply to, get admitted to, and receive adequate financial aid.
QuestBridge
QuestBridge helps talented, underserved, low-income students prepare for college admissions, including the College Prep Scholars Program for high school juniors and the National College Match college application process for high school seniors to apply to partner schools. MIT is proud to be a QuestBridge partner college. If you Match with a college through QuestBridge, you’re guaranteed full tuition and housing scholarships (zero parental contribution) for four years
Service to School (S2S)
MIT has a proud partnership with Service to School (S2S), a nonprofit organization that provides free college application assistance to U.S. military Veterans and Service Members. S2S was founded by veterans and is led by veterans who are committed to transforming the veteran community through the power of higher education.
Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network
The Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network brings together a consortium of colleges and universities dedicated to working with high schools and access organizations to widen pathways to higher education for rural and small-town students. MIT is a proud partner of STARS and hosts a fall fly-in program for high school juniors, participates in local and virtual college fairs, and works with student ambassadors who can speak to the experience of being a rural student at MIT.
Warrior-Scholar Project
Warrior-Scholar Project is a national nonprofit organization that offers academic programs to equip enlisted veterans and transitioning service members to succeed in their pursuit of higher education. In 2019, MIT was the pilot site for Warrior-Scholar Project’s first standalone STEM academic boot camp, and we continue to be a proud partner in their work.
Other college access & advising resources
For students from all backgrounds
CollegeBoard offers a free online resource called BigFuture to lower the barriers to planning for all students planning to attend college. Their website has a ton to dive into, including specific events and resources for students of different backgrounds, a scholarship search (along with their own scholarships), and tools to help you explore future careers.
For underrepresented and underserved students
College Greenlight is a network that supports first-generation, lower-income, and historically underrepresented and underserved students. They curate college preparation and advising resources, including lists of free and low-cost pre-college summer programs, fly-in and diversity programs, and scholarships.
For undocumented and DACA-mented students
MIT welcomes applications from students regardless of citizen or immigration status. There are many college access programs, such as TheDream.US, that serve the undocumented and DACA-mented community. Best Colleges has developed a College Guide for DACA and Undocumented Students to help students prepare for college and apply for admissions and financial aid (también puede leer esta guía en español). More broadly, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and National Immigration Law Center provide news and legal updates, including information on DACA.
For international students abroad
Education USA is a network of international student advising centers run by the U.S. Department of State. This network includes over 430 locations in more than 175 countries and territories, and advisers provide in-person and virtual help with topics like admissions, financial aid, visas, and more.