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MIT PRIMES

MIT PRIMES is a free year-long research program run by MIT's math department, in which sophomores and juniors spend a year on mentored research in mathematics or bioinformatics. The remote PRIMES-USA section had 47 students in 2024, and the 2027 deadline is November 2, 2026.

Any status, must study in the US
Free
School year

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Size and selectivity47 in PRIMES-USA (2024)

Photo: Vitaly Gariev / Pexels

Eligibility: Any status, must study in the US
Cost: Free
Latest deadline: Nov 2, 2026

PRIMES at a Glance

Host: Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Students in Greater Boston join MIT PRIMES in person; students elsewhere in the US join PRIMES-USA remotely
Field: Research in mathematics and bioinformatics, plus guided reading groups; applied math projects include theoretical computer science and mathematical biology. Since 2025, no new students are admitted to computer science
Grades and age: High school sophomores and juniors, including homeschooled students of the same age
Citizenship and residency: Open only to students physically residing in the US. International students attending an in-person US school may apply; students living abroad and attending a US online school may not, and neither may US citizens living abroad. Students outside the US can join CrowdMath, an open online collaborative research project.
Cost: Free.
Dates and format: Year-long, in four phases: a reading period from January 1 to Pi Day (March 14), then active research, independent study from June 15 to August 31 (PRIMES says it does not conflict with summer programs), a presentation at the fall PRIMES conference in mid-October, and a final paper due January 15. PRIMES-USA mentoring takes place by video conference, with at least 10 hours a week during the reading and research periods.
Application dates: Applications for 2027 are open and close at 11:59 pm Eastern on November 2, 2026; recommendation letters are due November 6. Decisions will be announced to all applicants in early January 2027.
Application materials: Two or three recommenders, a personal statement of up to two pages, lists of math books read and courses taken, other math experience (camps, competitions) and computing skills, and solutions to the 2027 problem set (PRIMES encourages applying if you can solve at least 70%), followed by an online interview for short-listed applicants. AI may be used on the problems if the model and prompts are cited and the solution is completely rewritten in your own words.
Size and selectivity: PRIMES-USA opened in 2013 with five students and had 47 in 2024. No admission rate is published; PRIMES says only that a small number of candidates is admitted and a very advanced background is expected.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · math.mit.edu/research/highschool/primes

About PRIMES

MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering and Science for High School Students) is a free year-long research program for high school sophomores and juniors, run by the Department of Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Students in Greater Boston join MIT PRIMES in person, and students elsewhere in the US join PRIMES-USA remotely, doing research in mathematics or bioinformatics with graduate students and faculty from MIT and other universities. The year starts with a reading period in January, moves through active research and summer independent study, includes a presentation in mid-October, and ends with a final paper the following January.

PRIMES-USA opened in 2013 with five students and had 47 in 2024. No admission rate is published; PRIMES says only that a small number of candidates is admitted and a very advanced background is expected. The program is open only to students physically residing in the US, and international students attending an in-person US school may apply. Applicants must complete a problem set, and PRIMES encourages applying if you can solve at least 70% of it.

Final papers are posted on the PRIMES website and may be submitted to national science competitions or research journals. The PRIMES website notes that five of the six members of the 2025 US team at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) came from PRIMES.

How to Apply to PRIMES

The 2027 deadline is November 2, 2026, more than three months earlier than most summer programs. PRIMES encourages applying if you can solve at least 70% of the problem set, so start the problems early.
Recommenders should ideally know advanced math, such as math teachers, math camp counselors or college professors. PRIMES lists preferred qualifications that include qualifying for USAMO or USAJMO, an A in a college-level proof-based math course, or attending a program such as PROMYS or Ross with a counselor's recommendation.
The interview may cover your problem set solutions and the books on your reading list. List only math books you have actually read and can discuss.

Application Support for PRIMES

EDUBUS starts with an assessment of grades, competitions and research, then decides which programs to aim for and which to hold as back-ups. We then guide each application form, essay, qualifying problem set and interview, and help turn the summer into part of the college application.

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FeatureSummer Programs Recommended by MIT AdmissionsMIT Admissions lists 23 selective summer programs on its website. Each one is in this library, with eligibility, cost and selectivity.

PRIMES: Frequently Asked Questions

Should an Irvine student apply to MIT PRIMES or PRIMES-USA?

An Irvine student applies to PRIMES-USA. The in-person MIT PRIMES section is only for students in Greater Boston; PRIMES-USA serves US students outside the Boston area, with mentors meeting students by video conference. Both use the same application portal.

Can an international student in Irvine on a student visa apply to PRIMES?

Yes, as long as the student attends an in-person US school. The FAQ says students living abroad who attend a US online school are not eligible, and neither are US citizens living abroad. Ineligible students can join CrowdMath, an open online research project.

Does PRIMES conflict with summer programs?

PRIMES says it does not. June 15 to August 31 is a flexible independent study period, so students can attend summer programs. The reading and research periods require at least 10 hours a week.

When should an Irvine student start preparing for PRIMES?

Start in the summer before sophomore year, since sophomores apply in the fall of that same year. The 2027 deadline is November 2, 2026, and PRIMES encourages applying if you can solve at least 70% of the problem set. Past problem sets and solutions are posted on the website for practice.

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