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Primes Logo MIT PRIMES: How to Apply

This page provides instructions for applying to MIT PRIMES, a research program for students living within driving distance from Boston. To apply to PRIMES-USA, a nationwide research program for sophomores and juniors living outside Greater Boston, see How to Apply to PRIMES-USA page. To apply to PRIMES Circle, a math enrichment program for local high school students, see How to Apply to PRIMES Circle page. Students residing outside the U.S. (including those attending an online school in the U.S.) are welcome to participate in CrowdMath. For more information about MIT PRIMES, see MIT PRIMES program details page .

The deadline for receiving applications and letters of recommendation for the 2025 cycle was November 18, 2024. Admission decisions will be made by early January 2025. Admissions for the 2026 cycle will open on October 1, 2025.

Eligibility

To participate in MIT PRIMES, you must be a high school student (or a home schooled student of high school age) living in the Greater Boston area, so that you can come to MIT weekly (late afternoon or evening on a weekday or on weekend) in January-May and September-December. Seniors may apply only to the reading track of the Math section.

Current MIT PRIMES students may reapply to stay in the program. If they reapply for the same section, they submit only an updated questionnaire and do not have to submit solutions of the entrance problem set. Their applications will be evaluated based on their mentor's recommendation.

Students with underprivileged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. PRIMES makes a special effort to reach out to schools in disadvantaged areas. Sophomores and juniors from urban public high schools of the Boston area are eligible for the PRIMES Circle program. U.S. high school juniors and sophomores living outside Greater Boston are eligible for the PRIMES-USA program. Students residing outside the U.S. (including those attending an online school in the U.S.) are welcome to participate in CrowdMath.

In order to apply, you will need to fill out a questionnaire, ask for two or three letters of recommendation, and submit your solutions of the PRIMES problem set. The admission decision will be based on the consideration of all components of your application.

In 2025, MIT PRIMES has narrowed its focus to Math and admits new students only to the Math section. There will be no new admission to Computer Science or Computational Biology. The current CS/Bio students might continue in 2025, if their current mentors are available. We intend to expand research offerings in applied mathematics to accommodate students with interests in theoretical computer science or mathematical biology. We strongly encourage our colleagues in EECS and other MIT departments to set up PRIMES-like programs in their departments and would be happy to provide advice and share our experience.

Preparation

We suggest a list of recommended readings as a preparation for entering PRIMES and as a background for further research. You may find it useful to consult

Math problem sets:

Why It Makes No Sense to Cheat

PRIMES expects its participants to adhere to MIT rules and standards for honesty and integrity in academic studies. As a result, any cases of plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, cheating, or facilitating academic dishonesty during the application process or during the work at PRIMES may result in immediate disqualification from the program, at the sole discretion of PRIMES. In addition, PRIMES reserves the right to notify a participant's parents, schools, and/or recommenders in the event it determines that a participant did not adhere to these expectations. For explanation of these expectations, see What is Academic Integrity?

Moreover, even if someone gets into PRIMES by cheating, it would immediately become apparent that their background is weaker than expected, and they are not ready for research. This would prompt an additional investigation with serious consequences. By trying to get into PRIMES by cheating, students run very serious risks of exposing their weak background and damaging their college admissions prospects.

Contact

With questions, contact PRIMES Program Director Slava Gerovitch at