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Please refer to the list of required information below when working on your application. This list will help you start preparing your application and it can be used as a checklist when you submit your final application.

Student Online Application Components

  • Applicant information
  • 2 Teacher Recommendations (one must be from a math/science teacher)
  • Family Information
  • Academic History
  • Extracurricular Activities
  • Essay Questions
  • Current Report Card
  • Last Year’s Report Card
  • Test score upload if applicable (see below for more information)

Our admissions process is holistic, considering numerous factors and information shared in all sections of your application. While test scores are not required to submit an application, we do also consider test scores in this admissions process.
 
We strongly encourage applicants to submit scores from at least one standardized test (ex. PSAT, MCAS or ACT). Including test scores will give us more information by which to review an application and provides a more complete picture of the applicant.   

Essay Section
 
High School Applicants (300 words)
There are 5 required short essays of 300 words or less. The essays are listed below:

  • Essay 1: SEED Academy is a large time and effort commitment for students (16 Saturdays a year from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm). Students who are admitted into SEED Academy are expected to attend all eight sessions each semester and return every semester until they graduate high school. Why do you want to make this commitment and participate in SEED Academy?
  • Essay 2: Enrichment programs can provide insight into various career paths. What are your career goals? What role do you believe SEED Academy will play in helping you achieve these goals?
  • Essay 3: What is it about STEM that really interests you? How have you demonstrated this interest in STEM?  (For example, this can be seeking out additional reading on STEM or activities or projects you've done in the past.)
  • Essay 4: People in STEM fields solve a variety of problems and address issues at many levels. What local or global problems are you passionate about and what would you invent, innovate, or develop to solve them? Please explain.
  • Essay 5: SEED Academy is a rigorous experience that students must balance with academic and social life; and our students tell us that this challenge has been rewarded with a lot of growth from the program and a strong community. What is a challenge you faced, how did you overcome it, and how have you grown from it?

Middle School Applicants (150 words)
There are 4 required short essays of 150 words or less. The essays are listed below:

  • Essay 1: SEED Academy is a large time and effort commitment for students (16 Saturdays a year from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm). Students who are admitted into SEED Academy are expected to attend all eight sessions each semester and return every semester until they graduate high school. Why do you want to make this commitment and participate in SEED Academy?
  • Essay 2: What is it about STEM that really interests you? How have you demonstrated this interest in STEM?  (For example, this can be seeking out additional reading on STEM or activities or projects you've done in the past.)
  • Essay 3: People in STEM fields solve a variety of problems and address issues at many levels. What local or global problems are you passionate about and what would you invent, innovate, or develop to solve them? Please explain.
  • Essay 4: SEED Academy is a rigorous experience that students must balance with academic and social life; and our students tell us that this challenge has been rewarded with a lot of growth from the program and a strong community. What is a challenge you faced, how did you overcome it, and how have you grown from it?


Recommendations
Students must submit recommendation requests by January 6 at 11:59 PM EST via the online application portal. Students will not be able to submit the application until recommendations have been requested. The application requires two recommendations that must be completed using a unique online form. One recommendation must be completed by a math or science teacher (ex. Algebra, Biology, Computer Science). The second recommendation can be from any other academic course (ex. English/Language Arts, Social Studies, Spanish, different Math/Science course).
   

The OEOP suggests that applicants talk with recommenders immediately and provide them with information about the SEED program, the materials they will be required to submit, and an information packet about yourself (including why you are interested in applying) to help with writing your recommendation. Once you complete your recommendation request, your recommenders will receive an email with a link to set up their account and submit their recommendations. Teachers must submit their recommendations by January 13 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.  
 
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that recommenders have submitted their materials by the deadline using the online platform. We encourage students to contact recommenders a few days prior to remind them of the upcoming deadline. The application will not be complete if recommendations are not submitted on time.
 
To Submit:
Students must submit applications by January 6, 2022 at 11:59PM EST. Applications can be submitted after all sections of the application are complete and after recommendation requests have been sent to both recommenders Due to a large number of applicants, OEOP encourages students to submit applications early - as soon as all sections are complete - in order to avoid the last-minute website traffic right before the deadline.
 
Student and Family Infosession:
After the application deadline, students who submitted applications will be required to join an online infosession to learn more about the program. Afterwards, students must confirm they attended the info-session and understanding the expectations of SEED, and students must confirm they are still interested in SEED and describe why. 

Requirements Upon acceptance to SEED:

  • Participation is contingent upon completion of the enrollment process. All participants must be US Citizens OR US Permanent Residents. Students may be asked to submit proof of US Citizenship or permanent resident status (US Birth Certificate or Certificate of US Citizenship OR Copy of Permanent Resident “Green” Card) in the enrollment process.
  • To participate in programs administered by the OEOP, students and their parents must agree to comply with COVID-related safety policies and protocols, including that students must be fully vaccinated or have a medical or religious exemption. Please see here for current COVID policy related to MIT programs with minors.