Programs & Services
Project Interphase
Project Interphase is a rigorous seven-and-a-half week residential, academic
enrichment, confidence and community building program for admitted freshmen
in their transition to MIT, who especially benefit from academic enrichment
and support. Project Interphase is designed to foster high achievement and
content mastery both for underrepresented minorities (African American, Mexican
American, Hispanic/Latino and Native American) and other students who both
demonstrate bright promise of ability and who have overcome significant odds
to be admitted to MIT. For students of all races and national origins, the
program builds the skills necessary to achieve success in the study and fields
of science and engineering in an increasing racially and ethnically diverse
nation and world. It promotes the importance to our nation that under-represented
minorities successfully pursue higher education and careers in these fields.
Seminar XL
Seminar XL is an academic enrichment seminar for freshmen that utilizes an innovative
and effective small-group-learning concept. Modeled after Dr. Uri Treisman’s
Challenge Calculus Workshops, the objective of all participants is to develop
mastery of both core subject matter and intellectual skills, while at the same
time acquire essential collaborative learning strategies that lay the groundwork
for future success in their advanced coursework. In addition to their regular
classroom work and related assignments in math and science, students meet for
up to six hours a week in prearranged groups of five to eight, and receive
up to 6 units of extra credit. An upper-class or graduate student facilitator
stimulates their interaction in analytical reasoning, study
skills and test taking strategies.
OME Tutorial Services Room (TSR)
The OME TSR has provided tutoring to undergraduates for nearly thirty years. Academically
advanced upper-class and graduate students deliver tutoring in any subject requested.
Formal tutoring services are available by appointment. The TSR (room 12-124)
is open 7 days a week and is open to all students.
Additional OME Programs
Strategies for Academic Success (SAS)
SAS is a series of seminars and workshops that inform students of resources and
skills they can use to help maximize their achievement. Some of the topics
include time management how to choose a major, and how to prepare for graduate
school. SAS participation is required for all Seminar XL participants.
Second Summer Program (SSP)
The SSP is a summer internship program that also offers a design workshop to
introduce freshmen to the engineering process.
Efficacy Program
A two-day IAP workshop hosted by the non-profit Efficacy Institute to head off
the faulty responses to academic difficulty that are known to derail achievement
motivation. The workshop is designed for freshmen and sophomores who experience
academic difficulty during the first or a previous semester.
OME Student Advisory Council (OMESAC)
The OME directors meet biweekly with a council of student leaders to monitor
their needs and success, and to develop a dialogue about OME programs, structure,
and staffing. OMESAC is comprised of presidents of the student professional
and cultural groups that serve our constituency, namely: American Indian Science
and Engineering society (AISES); Association of Puerto Rican Students (APR);
Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA); Black Student Union (BSU); Black
Women’s Alliance (BWA); Caribbean Club; Chocolate City; LA Union
Chicana por Atzlan (LUChA); Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES);
MIT Hatian Alliance (MITHA); Mujeres Latinas; National Society of Black
Engineers (NSBE); Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Leadership Retreat and Forum
A leadership forum for executive board members of OME Student Advisory Council
(OMESAC) organizations commencing with a leadership retreat and continuing
with 5 additional workshops facilitated by alumni.
Student Program Fund
Program grants to partially fund student groups to scale existing programs or
to enable their membership to participate in and host activities that support
the mission and priorities of OME. Up to $1000 in matching grants.
Student Innovation Fund
Seed funding to help pilot new student program ideas that fulfill the mission
of the OME.
Finger Foods with Faculty
Student and living groups typically host receptions that invite faculty to interact
with their membership on an informal basis. We also see these receptions
as possible venues for faculty to share their personal and professional histories
so as to build stronger connections with students and inspire some to pursue
academic careers. OME sponsors the “Finger Foods with Faculty” program
for student groups lacking the funds to do so.
UROP for All
Students who participate in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
(UROP) at any time during their MIT career, on average, graduate at higher
rates and with a higher cumulative GPA than students who do not participate
in UROP. The OME is committed to a new multi-year initiative to
promote underrepresented students, including promotions and support for paid
UROP projects. UROP for All will be funded by our industry partners and
other external donors.
Heads Up! Newsletter
Spirit is published periodically throughout the year providing news and relevant
information about OME and student activities.
TGIF (Thank Goodness It's Friday)
On one Friday each month, staff and students gather to relax, enjoy
refreshments, and converse on a more informal basis.
Industrial Advisory Council for Minority Education (IACME)
This council comprises the main group of companies that participate in the
Second Summer Program and the Diversity
Career Fair.
