Camp · STEM · Ages 16–17
Directory · United States · Massachusetts · Cambridge
▌ STEM · Ages 16–17

Research Science Institute (RSI)

Cambridge

RSI is a highly selective, tuition-free summer program for rising high school seniors passionate about science,

▌ Editor's read The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a prestigious, tuition-free summer program for high school students, established in 1984, making it 40 years old. It is operated by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), a non-profit organization. The program is described as an intensive academic experience, combining classroom instruction with scientific research. RSI is hosted at MIT, indicating a strong academic affiliation. The program is highly selective, accepting only 80 students globally each year, with 50 being US students and 30 international. This indicates a strong emphasis on academic excellence and a competitive application process.
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Since 198640+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
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Who thrives here Ages 16–17

Research Science Institute (RSI) serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in stem, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
1986 (40 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: STEM
  • Ages: 16–17
  • Address: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
  • Phone: (703) 448-3456
  • Email: [email protected]

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Research Science Institute (RSI)

What ages does Research Science Institute (RSI) accept?
Research Science Institute (RSI) is open to children ages 16–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
Who runs Research Science Institute (RSI)?
Research Science Institute (RSI) is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 40 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Research Science Institute (RSI) provide lunch?
Yes — Research Science Institute (RSI) includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
How does Research Science Institute (RSI) compare to other stem camps in Cambridge?
Research Science Institute (RSI) is one of 33 stem camps in Cambridge that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

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