MIT PRIMES: A Complete Guide

You might find your math classes easy or fun, but maybe you’re looking for something more challenging or beyond just competition-style problems. MIT PRIMES takes you to another side of mathematics by letting you engage with deeper ideas and explore questions. This year-long research program requires you to produce a research paper and conference presentation about a specific math topic.

In this article, we’ll talk more about MIT PRIMES, how to apply, and why you should join.

• What Is MIT PRIMES?
• MIT PRIMES Acceptance Rate
• MIT PRIMES Application Deadline
• MIT PRIMES Requirements
• How to Get into MIT PRIMES
• Why Join MIT PRIMES?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is MIT PRIMES?

MIT PRIMES is a year-long research program for Greater Boston high school students. As a participant, you’ll work on individual and group mathematics research projects and join reading groups—all while being guided by academic mentors.

MIT PRIMES is a section under PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science), which is a program for motivated high school students who are passionate about math.

MIT PRIMES used to focus on Math, Computer Science, and Computational Biology. However, as of 2025, the program will only accept applicants for the Math section. The program still plans to expand its research offerings in applied math so it can also accommodate students who are interested in theoretical computer science or mathematical biology.

The program has two tracks: the research track and the reading group track. If you’re interested in joining either, check out the program’s recommended readings for applicants and students and see if you want to learn more.

Research track

The research track of MIT PRIMES operates throughout the whole year and can be divided into four phases:

Aside from the phases, you should also be aware of milestones where certain requirements will be expected from you. These are:

• March 14: brief reading report
• June 15: interim research report
• Mid-October: conference presentation
• December 1: final paper draft
• December 31/January 15: final research paper

Reading group track

Aside from a research track, MIT PRIMES also has a reading group track. For high school seniors, this will be the only track you can apply for. If you’re not a senior but don’t feel like you can handle independent research, you can go down this track as well.

The reading group track basically gives motivated students the chance to build the background they’ll need for future research projects.

You’ll be paired with another student and assigned an MIT graduate student or postdoc as a mentor. Each group studies an advanced mathematics book or a set of related papers. The mentor guides discussions, explains difficult concepts, and gives problem sets to deepen understanding. Meetings typically happen weekly on the MIT campus for about two hours.

Instead of producing original research, you’ll have to write a final report summarizing what you studied and learned. You’ll present your work at the PRIMES conference in October, same as the research track students.

After undergoing the reading track, you might be confident enough to apply for the research track the following year.

PRIMES-USA

MIT PRIMES only accepts high school students in the Greater Boston area. For sophomores and juniors who aren’t from that area, you can opt to join PRIMES-USA instead. Juniors have the option of working on individual or group projects, while sophomores can only work on group projects.

You can expect to work with the same schedule as MIT PRIMES students, but this program is entirely remote.

Other PRIMES-related programs

We’ll quickly list down other PRIMES-related programs so you’re aware of other options:

• Menezes Challenge PRIMES Circle. This is a math enrichment program for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds. Instead of research, it emphasizes weekly problem-solving sessions in a collaborative circle format. You’ll work through advanced math problems together, building skills and confidence.
• Yulia’s Dream. This program provides math research opportunities for talented Ukrainian high school students. It supports students whose education has been disrupted by war and gives them access to structured, advanced study. This program basically mirrors the PRIMES-USA format, with students mentored remotely by MIT researchers.
• MathROOTS. This is a summer program hosted at MIT for underrepresented high school students who show strong math potential. It focuses on advanced problem-solving, creative exploration, and building community among participants.
• CrowdMath. This is a large-scale online research project run jointly by MIT PRIMES and the Art of Problem Solving where high school and college students around the world collaborate on open mathematical problems.
• PRIMES STEP. PRIMES STEP (Students Explore and Practice) is a program for middle and early high school students that builds skills in problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and proof-writing. It prepares younger students for later participation in PRIMES or similar advanced math programs.

MIT PRIMES Acceptance Rate

MIT PRIMES doesn’t publish an official acceptance rate. However, admissions are extremely competitive, with only the candidates with the strongest math background and commitment being accepted. In fact, in 2025, only 32 students were admitted.

MIT PRIMES Application Deadline

Here are the important dates for the 2025 MIT PRIMES application cycle:

The 2026 MIT PRIMES admission cycle opens on October 1, 2025.

MIT PRIMES Requirements

Before applying to MIT PRIMES, you should first be aware of the program requirements.

Eligibility

To be eligible for MIT PRIMES, you must:

• Be a high school student or home-schooled of high school age (however, seniors can apply only to the reading track, not the research track)
• Live in the Greater Boston area

Required documents

To apply to MIT PRIMES, you should submit the following documents:

• Questionnaire. You’ll need to answer an application questionnaire, which includes personal information, academic history, and a statement of interest.
• Recommendation letters. You’ll need to ask two to three recommendation letters from teachers or mentors. Since you’ll be applying to MIT PRIMES, it would be ideal to get a letter from a math teacher.
• PRIMES math problem set solutions. Every year, MIT PRIMES requires applicants to answer a set of general and advanced math problems.

Program cost

MIT PRIMES is free. It’s fully funded by sponsors like the National Science Foundation, Quanta Computer, MathWorks, and individual donors.

How to Get into MIT PRIMES

If you’ve confirmed your eligibility and are ready to take on the challenge, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get into MIT PRIMES:

Step 1: Request recommendation letters.

Ask two or three adults (teachers, counselors, or mentors) to write recommendation letters for you. Since you’re applying to MIT PRIMES, it’s ideal to ask letters from people who can speak specifically about your mathematical strength, problem-solving skills, and dedication. Talk to them at least a month before the deadline to give them plenty of time to write the letter.

Step 2: Solve the PRIMES problem set.

When MIT PRIMES releases the problem set for the application cycle, start trying to work through it. Getting correct answers is great, but the admissions committee is more interested in seeing how you think about complex problems. Because of that, you should take the time to work on writing clear, step-by-step reasoning.

If you want an idea of what to expect in the problem set, MIT PRIMES archives problems and solutions of sets from previous years.

Step 3: Complete the application form.

Fill out the online PRIMES application questionnaire. It will require you to input information such as personal details, academic history, and interests. This form gives the committee a sense of who you are as a student and your motivation to do advanced research in math.

Step 4: Submit everything by the deadline.

Make sure all components of your application are complete at least a day before the deadline. This gives you enough time to double-check everything.

If you’re a current MIT PRIMES student, you can reapply to stay in the program. However, you’ll only be required to submit an updated questionnaire and not the problem set anymore.

Why Join MIT PRIMES?

Joining MIT PRIMES is a serious commitment—after all, it takes place the whole year round. However, participating in the program offers academic, professional, and personal benefits.

1. Get hands-on research experience

MIT PRIMES requires you to work on research for a full year rather than just one summer. The program runs in four phases: a winter reading period, a spring research phase, a flexible summer for independent work, and a fall write-up with a public presentation and a paper.

You can expect to spend at least 10 hours a week during the school year, including a weekly meeting, and you must submit defined milestones:

• March reading report
• June interim report
• mid-October conference talk
• Year-end paper

This trains you to work in a somewhat similar structure to real researchers. By the end of the program, you’ll have produced a write-up and presented it publicly, which can make for better evidence of mastery than grades alone.

2. Receive guidance from MIT mentors

For the program, you’ll be paired with an academic mentor (usually an MIT graduate student or postdoc) who meets with you regularly and helps guide your project. In the research phase, you may also discuss your work with the MIT faculty member who proposed the topic and the head mentor, so you benefit from layered feedback.

Reading groups also meet weekly, typically for about two hours, to work through advanced books and problem sets. This mentorship model keeps you accountable, speeds up your learning curve, and exposes you to how mathematicians think and work.

3. Earn recognition through publications

MIT PRIMES asks you to present your results at a fall conference and to submit a polished paper by year-end. Student papers are posted on the PRIMES site, and strong work can even be entered in national contests or sent to journals, which gives you visible output that admissions officers and future mentors can review.

The program also highlights external results. Recent PRIMES cohorts earned major accolades at Regeneron STS and ISEF, among others.

4. Access prestige at zero cost

MIT PRIMES is free! You get a year of one-on-one mentoring, structured milestones, public speaking experience, and a citable research paper without paying program fees.

Because the schedule is flexible in summer, you can balance PRIMES with other extracurricular activities. If you’re a serious math student with a strong background and aspirations in the subject, then MIT PRIMES should be a program you consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How hard is it to get into MIT PRIMES?

It’s very hard to get into MIT PRIMES since the program only admits applicants with strong backgrounds in math.

2. Who is eligible for MIT PRIMES?

High school students from the Greater Boston area are eligible for MIT PRIMES. Any interested students outside of Greater Boston should apply for PRIMES-USA instead.

3. How much does MIT PRIMES cost?

MIT PRIMES is completely free for all participants.

4. Does being part of MIT PRIMES help me get into MIT?

Being in MIT PRIMES doesn’t guarantee admission to MIT, but it can strengthen your college application. After all, the program shows you have advanced research ability, persistence, and mentorship experience, which selective colleges like.

Takeaways

• MIT PRIMES is a free, year-long research program for Boston-area high school students. It spans four phases (reading, research, summer work, write-up) under MIT mentorship.
• The benefits of participating in MIT PRIMES include hands-on research experience, guidance from MIT mentors, and recognition through publications. It’s also free while offering high value.
• If you’re aspiring to be in a math-heavy career, we can help you choose extracurriculars that can prepare you for college-level math.