PILOT IMPLEMENTATION

1. Recruit & Match: Create bilingual flyers; recruit MIT undergraduate mentors and mentees; collect interest forms; select and match participants based on interests, goals, cultural background and availability.

2. Onboard & Train: Announce selections; obtain guardian permissions and applicable releases; complete required MIT minors-protection training and checks; hold a virtual meet-and-greet.

3. Mentor & Support: Deliver three workshops geared around summer program application, monthly Zoom mentor meetings, application templates, deadlines, and tracked submissions.

4. Evaluate: Use two-month feedback surveys and track participation, application submissions, and student-reported confidence.

ÓRBITA PROGRAM SCHEDULE (2026–2027)

Month

November 2026

November 13 que la informacion este terminada, y mandar los forms a mentees y mentors.

Finalize recruitment mentors by November 30.

December 2026

Diciembre - primera semana es el matching 

Three workshops: (1) Organizing applications (tabla) and requesting letters of recommendation, (2) Personal statement writing, and (3) Résumé writing. (December and January)

January 2027

January is expected to be the most intensive period of mentor–mentee collaboration, taking advantage of MIT's Independent Activities Period (IAP). Mentors and mentees will work closely on summer program applications, particularly personal statements, with weekly follow-ups to monitor progress and provide feedback.

February 2027

Submit summer program applications.

March–May 2027

Mentors meet monthly with students to provide college readiness support and guidance on navigating high school.

June 2027

Continue monthly mentorship meetings. Workshop on how to make the most of a summer program.

July 2027

Students submit a short paragraph every two weeks describing their summer experience, allowing mentors to intervene if challenges arise. Regular meetings are not expected, as students will be busy with their summer programs.

Julio8-Agosto8 - 

August 2027

Students reflect on what they learned over the summer and provide feedback on ÓRBITA.

September 2027

Begin preparing for undergraduate college applications.

October–December 2027

12th-grade students: Receive more intensive, individualized support with undergraduate college applications, including essays, application requirements, and deadlines. 11th-grade students: Continue monthly one-on-one mentorship meetings focused on college readiness and academic development.