Some Reflections from the STARS@MIT Fly-In by Sara N. '28

From October 16-19, MIT hosted twenty juniors in high school for our second-ever Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) @ MIT Fly-In program. Students spent the weekend exploring the city, attending workshops, and getting a glimpse of life at MIT. Learn more about the program, and the nationwide STARS College Network, here.

At the conclusion of the program, we asked students to share their reflections on their background, their weekend on campus, and where they hope to go next. Hear straight from them:

Tell us a bit about your hometown, your interests, what you like to do for fun! What made you want to come to the MIT fly-in?

“I live in a small town in Tennessee. There’s not much here, so the community is tight knit. For example, on the day of my return, they had a hotdog eating competition at a local gas station. Around here there are several golf courses which fuels my passion for golf. I love playing golf and making connections with people who share a similar interest. I enjoy socializing with friends and people in the community, as we all share common ground of what is home. I wanted to come to the MIT fly-in program because I wanted to see the opportunities outside of a small town. I wanted a new perspective on the types of people and ideas that lie in a prestigious environment like the MIT campus.”

– Aden G., Tennessee

“My hometown is a rural (and remote) town of about 15,000 people, with one regular public high school and not many opportunities. I usually spend my free time playing volleyball, reading, or walking around Front Street with my friends. When I found out about this MIT Fly-In, I was immediately interested. I really enjoy doing math, and prefer science to the humanities. I knew MIT was the best of the best, and I figured it was worth a shot to apply. I’m so glad I did, because this was an amazing experience.”

– Alison K., Louisiana

“I live in a town of around 4,000 people, and a two hour drive from the nearest Walmart. I am interested in the future of propulsion in space, and enjoy a variety of activities, ranging from small engineering projects at my house, to running, backpacking, and skiing. I applied to this fly-in because I was curious about MIT’s environment, and what kind of students the school looks for. I want to become an engineer, so finding a good school with an environment that fits me is something really important to me.”

– Priscilla P., Idaho

“My hometown is a little place in the middle of a bunch of corn fields, in my free time I enjoy reading comic books and working on my personal projects. I’ve wanted to attend MIT for years and I was shocked when I heard about this program as it seemed like it was designed specifically for me, as soon as I saw the website I knew I had to apply.”

– Carter A.

Was this your first time in Boston? How did you feel about the city?

“This was my first time in Boston! I loved the city! It was interesting going to the Public Garden because of the different perspective on nature, but it did feel really peaceful. I loved the back alleys and tiny streets because they felt so cozy. Everybody had their front steps decorated for fall and it made the street look so alive, even though there weren’t a lot of people around. I loved the views of the skyline from across the river. I loved the architecture and seeing the historical aspect of Boston.”

– Avery, Ohio

“Yes, it was my first time in Boston. It really boosted my view of “big cities” and made me more open to potentially going to college in an urban environment.”

– Hawa, West Virginia

What was your favorite part of the program? What was the most valuable part of the program/your biggest takeaway?

“I really liked staying in the dorms. I have been to 4-H conferences held on a college campus, but it was during summer. I haven’t experienced active college campus life until now. It was really different to be in a dorm full of people. East campus was also just amazing. There were murals all over the walls, and a silly cat.

My biggest takeaway is that maybe our wildest dreams are actually somewhat realistic. I think for a lot of small town/rural students it’s harder to see ourselves as capable of something bigger. To have the encouragement and validation from the admission officers & ambassadors was really special. Hearing that we all have something that MIT wants in a student really helped build my confidence in my future.”

– Alex B., Oregon

“My favorite part of the program was attending an engineering room where we learned how to solder. Additionally, I was intrigued to learn the symbols of a battery, LED light, switch, etc. Having the opportunity to not only learn, but act on the knowledge that we gained was truly valuable.

The most valuable part of the program was the emphasis of community pride and personal autonomy that the admissions officers made. Coming from a rural town, one can experience doubt and uncertainty about applying to college, but talking to the admissions officers made me see college admissions in a more positive perspective. I have realized it is a human connection between two people, one who truly wants to understand the core of you.”

– Marlyn A.

“Seeing and experiencing the beautiful MIT campus, meeting real college students, and learning more about the college admissions process.”

– Aurora M., Alaska

“My biggest take away is the diversity. My host introduced [me] to the Indigenous community on the Mit campus and I got to meet a Navajo (same tribe as me). He is currently working on Post-Phd education (…) From that I got a new understanding of what I can do and [that opened] my eyes to bigger possibilities.

More of the talk with my Navajo colleague here he had a Phd and is going to get more school. I found that so bizarre but quickly talking to him it gave me a new perspective on what I’m capable of especially being rural and a minority. I asked him how being in the city does to one’s mental from the cherished Rez but he reassured me talking about every land is Native land and which made my heart smile.”

– Isaiah H.

What are your plans after high school? What do you want to be?

“After high school, my plans are still not definite, but right now, I want to work at the intersection of aviation and Earth’s sustainability while helping advance aero/astro research. I’ve always been fascinated by space and flight, and as a huge Star Wars fan, I’d love to help create the kinds of technologies that once seemed impossible, while still staying conscious of the beautiful world that surrounds us.”

– Massimiliano M., Texas

“After highschool I want to go to a 4 year college for Computer science, and if at all possible I want that college to be MIT. I want to be a web designer right now, but I’m open to change”

– Donavin B., Colorado

“After high school, I plan on attending university and maybe graduate school as well. I would like to major in biomedical engineering and be a part of the researchers who are making new medical advancements, specifically on topics like Alzheimer’s disease or cancer.”

– Katie S., Texas

Any memory from the fly-in that you think will stick with you?

“I would say the biggest memory that I personally will have was when all of us were having dinner in the dining hall, the second day most of us eased up so we were all very comfortable with each other laughing and making conversation. That for me was a memory that I won’t forget from this trip.”

– Manuel R., California

“There are a lot to choose from, but I think my favorite is staying up way too late with my host and fellow MIT fly-in visitor talking about everything from politics to music, while I was being taught how to solve a rubix cube.”

– Nathan B., Texas

“While I think I’ll remember most of the fly-in for forever, I think the strongest memory is the rush of relief when I finally saw a fellow STARS student holding an MIT sign after walking through the airport for around half an hour.”

– Alison K., Louisiana

“A memory from the fly-in that will stick with me was getting to each lunch with the dean of admissions Stu Schmill. He had such interesting experiences from when he attended MIT!”

– Katie S., Texas

“Like I said before, overall, the people I met were amazing. If it wasn’t my fellow admits, who were constantly engaged and asking questions, sharing their small-town experiences, and connecting with stories similar to mine, it was the actual students at MIT. (…) I’ll also never forget the campus culture: the tunnel murals, the unique dorms, and the endless creativity all around. Everything about it was incredible, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to go.”

– Massimiliano M., Texas

I grew up completely mythologizing MIT. It was always larger than life for me. In certain ways, it still is, but I’m thankful I encountered people — teachers, mentors, upperclassmen — in high school that brought it down a little closer for me, close enough for it to be something I felt I could maybe even aspire to. I hope this program did something like that for some of our fly-in students.

This was my first year as a STARS ambassador & thus, this was my first fly-in — I loved it. Meeting the fly-in students, talking over dinner, getting to know the fly-in student I was hosting, I remember suddenly feeling distinctly grateful for my hometown — for all the ways it provided for me in my seventeen years before college, but also for all the ways it continues to provide for me: it’s allowed me to be a part of this wonderful community of both students older and younger than me, who bring such wealth of experience and whose depth & authenticity of passion constantly inspires me. Being from a “small place” is maybe just geographical fate, but it really does unlock a special community.

To any other students from small town or rural backgrounds who may be reading this blog right now: Please know that your presence is critically needed on college campuses around the nation.

In my time here so far, I’ve learned that one of the things that makes college so special is how it brings together people from incredibly different backgrounds and experiences. Learning, at its core, can perhaps be done from anywhere, but it is the confluence of various identities, a sort of collision of pasts and personalities, that allows new ideas and perspectives to brew.

As small-town/rural students, you all bring stories, resilience, and a one-of-a-kind frame of reference that is so incredibly invaluable in any room that is concerned with innovating with the world in mind. This is all to say: I know it’s easy to say and harder to do, but please don’t count yourself out. You are bringing a lot more to the table than you are probably giving yourself credit for. Have faith in yourself. Whether it’s at MIT or elsewhere, a two-year or four-year program, local or out-of-state – your future can manifest in so many varied, beautiful ways.

(If you are a small-town/rural student with questions about college, and you think talking to an MIT STARS Ambassador could help, please feel free to reach out! You can email student-specific questions to starsprogram[at]mit[dot]edu.)

stars fly-in 2025 cohort :)