Apply to participate in Summer College for High School Students beginning Dec. 1.
The Don and Liz Thompson MEP Program partners with Purdue University’s Summer College for High School Students to offer the programs below. Summer College for High School Students is a competitive, application-based summer experience that allows high school students to explore academic interests and get a head start through college-level learning.
Maximizing Impact Through Engineering
Available to students entering grade 12
Maximizing Impact Through Engineering (MITE) is a two-week summer program where rising seniors explore engineering, experience campus life and discover what it’s like to be a Purdue engineering student. Earn two college credits as you complete hands-on math and engineering projects, including two design challenges, and develop your presentation skills through friendly competition.
MITE participants have seen an average improvement of 90 points on SAT math scores — with the highest recorded increase at 180 points — as measured through pre- and post-testing.
During the program, you’ll:
- Earn two college credits
- Live in a Purdue residence hall and meet students from across the country
- Explore engineering design, mathematics, chemistry, English composition and SAT prep
- Learn about Purdue’s engineering majors and potential career paths
- Connect with engineering students, faculty and staff
Pre-Freshman and Cooperative Education
Available to students entering grades 10-11
Pre-Freshman and Cooperative Education (PREFACE) is a one-week summer program for rising 10th and 11th graders. Earn college credit while building college readiness skills through hands-on math and engineering projects.
During the program, you’ll:
- Earn one college credit
- Live in a Purdue residence hall and meet students from across the country
- Work on hands-on math and engineering projects led by faculty and graduate assistants
- Explore different engineering majors and potential career paths
- Build academic skills including career planning, test-taking strategies and math assessment through an online tutorial you can keep using after the program
- Connect with engineering students, faculty and staff and get a real feel for college life
While MITE and PREFACE were created to support students from economically diverse backgrounds, all students are welcome to participate.
Summer College for High School Students
Learn more about the application and admission process for Summer College for High School Students, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
programs for first-year engineering students
Already admitted to the College of Engineering? Explore how you can jumpstart your Purdue experience.