The MIT School of Science and the dean of the graduate school launched the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) in 1986. 

Susan Feinberg

“We think that the best way to encourage students to enter the STEM fields is to recreate the graduate school experience,” says Christopher Jones, assistant dean for graduate students at MIT. “That’s why the summer research program is extremely intense. Students work in labs at least 12-14 hours a day and on weekends. And they’re still expected to attend workshops and community events.” 

The MSRP’s three components of research, academics and community mirror MIT’s educational triad. “Most programs geared towards attracting STEM students have strong research and academic components, but our community service aspect is unique,” says Jones.  

For ten weeks MSRP students work in a research lab under guidance of scientists and engineers who are MIT faculty members, postdoctoral students and advanced graduate students.  MSRP builds collegiality among the cohort of students with barbeques,  trips to Martha’s Vineyard and other activities.  Also emphasized is the importance of community service. Students devote a Saturday to AIDS awareness organizations or Habitat for Humanity. 

The recruitment incentives to MSRP participants include:  

• A weekly stipend
• Round trip travel expenses
• University housing
• Access to campus facilities – library, athletic and health
• A certificate of merit and attendance in the program 

MSRP is sucessful. According to Jones, many students have published papers with MIT faculty members. At least three MSRP alumni have been selected as 2007 National Science Foundation Fellows.  

More than 90 percent of MSRP students have enrolled in graduate or professional school. In 2007, 28 of the 33 MSRP students applied to MIT, and 13 were admitted. Of those, 11 matriculated at the university.   

Jones reports that MSRP applications are increasing in number and quality.  In the early summers, about 160 individuals with GPA's of 3.0 or better applied for admission. Today it's 200 applicants with GPA's of 3.5 or better.    

Asegun Henry was a student at Florida A&M University when he learned about the MIT Summer Research Program in 2003. Henry wanted to spend a summer working with a leading energy conversion scholar.  With MSRP, he was able to do so for two summers. Henry was later accepted in an MIT graduate program. The faculty member he worked with is now his advisor.  

“MSRP made a huge difference in my experience of graduate school,” he says. “I worked in my field of interest.  I also learned how to get fellowships and money. That’s something that other students here don’t know.”