How to Win MIT THINK
- 11 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Many of the most prestigious high school research competitions require students to spend months—or even years—completing sophisticated research projects before they can apply. MIT THINK turns that model on its head.
Instead of asking students to submit a finished project, MIT THINK asks applicants to submit something arguably more difficult: an original idea. Students are selected based on the strength of a proposed STEM project, then receive funding and mentorship from MIT students and faculty to bring that idea to life.
Because of this unique format, MIT THINK rewards a very different set of skills than many traditional science competitions. At My Ivy Education, we've helped students develop original research and innovation projects that stand out to selective programs, and we're here to explain what MIT THINK is really looking for—and how you can maximize your chances of becoming a THINK Scholar.
What Is MIT THINK?
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is a nationwide STEM competition run by MIT students. However, the fact that it's run by students doesn't mean it's not one of the most prestigious opportunities out there for students with original ideas. The program recognizes innovative scientific, technological, and engineering ideas proposed by high school students. Applicants submit a research or innovation proposal rather than a completed project, making MIT THINK unique amongst research competitions. A small group of finalists is selected each year and receives mentorship, funding, and support to complete their project.
Finalists receive:
Up to $1,000 in project funding
Mentorship from MIT students and faculty
Guidance throughout the project implementation process
Recognition as MIT THINK Scholars
Opportunities to connect with the MIT community
Unlike many research programs, MIT THINK focuses on potential rather than prior access to resources. Students do not need a laboratory, university affiliation, or expensive equipment before applying, making the program open to all.
Why MIT THINK Is So Unique
Many research competitions reward students who already have extensive research experience.
MIT THINK rewards students who can identify an important problem and propose an elegant solution.
The competition exists because many talented students have excellent ideas but lack the funding, mentorship, or institutional support needed to pursue them. MIT THINK helps bridge that gap.
As a result, admissions readers are often less interested in how many accomplishments you've already accumulated and more interested in how you think and identify potential solutions to the world's most pressing questions.
What MIT THINK Is Really Looking For
Originality
Successful applicants often identify:
Unsolved problems
Inefficiencies in existing systems
Emerging technological challenges
New applications of existing technologies
MIT THINK reviewers read hundreds of proposals every year. Fresh, intellectually ambitious projects are the ones that naturally stand out.
Feasibility
A common mistake is proposing something so ambitious that it would require a university laboratory, a million-dollar budget, and five years of work. The best proposals are ambitious but realistic.
Applicants should be able to explain:
What they plan to do
How they plan to do it
What resources are required
How success will be measured
An excellent proposal combines creativity with practicality. Showing that you've thought through the logistics will automatically propel you far ahead of the vast majority of applicants.
Technical Understanding
You do not need to be an expert in your field. However, reviewers want evidence that you've done your homework and understand the landscape.
Strong proposals demonstrate:
Familiarity with existing research
Understanding of prior solutions
Knowledge of relevant technical concepts
Awareness of potential challenges
The proposal should show that your idea emerged from serious investigation rather than a spontaneous brainstorm.
The Importance of the Proposal
For MIT THINK, the proposal is everything. A strong proposal typically includes:
A clearly defined problem
Background research
A novel idea or hypothesis
An implementation plan
Anticipated challenges
Expected outcomes
The strongest applications read like early-stage startup pitches or grant proposals. Reviewers should feel confident that if they invested resources in your project, you would know how to move it forward, and that you have the passion and drive to do so even without MIT THINK's help.
What Makes a Winning Project Idea?
The best projects exist at the intersection of innovation, impact, and feasibility. Examples include:
AI tools addressing healthcare challenges
Sustainable engineering solutions
Novel environmental technologies
Biomedical innovations
Educational technology platforms
Software systems that solve real-world problems
The common thread is that each project addresses a meaningful problem with a creative, technically grounded solution.
Common Mistakes Applicants Make
Choosing an Idea That's Too Broad
"Solving climate change" is not a project. Designing a low-cost sensor that improves energy efficiency in a specific setting might be, though. Specificity is your best friend.
Prioritizing Complexity Over Impact
Many students assume that adding complexity makes a proposal more impressive. Often, reviewers are more interested in whether the project solves a real problem effectively. Don't overcomplicate things!
Insufficient Background Research
The best proposals demonstrate awareness of existing work and explain how the proposed idea contributes something new.
How My Ivy Education Helps Students Prepare for MIT THINK
At My Ivy Education, we help students move beyond generic STEM activities and develop original projects that showcase genuine intellectual initiative.
We work with students to:
Identify promising research and innovation ideas
Conduct literature reviews
Develop project proposals
Strengthen technical writing
Build research roadmaps
Connect projects to larger academic and career goals
The students who succeed in MIT THINK are rarely the students with the longest resumes.
They're the students who can look at the world, identify an important problem, and imagine a better solution.
MIT THINK is ultimately a competition about ideas. And in the world of innovation, great ideas are where everything begins.
At My Ivy Education, we deal in ideas.
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