Women’s Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

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WISTEM Program Overview

We are thrilled to host our annual Women’s Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (WISTEM) program. WISTEM is a six-month long program that requires participants to engage with an on-campus residential component and interactive online sessions. Through the virtual program and visit to campus, WISTEM will connect participating students with a cohort of like-minded peers, help participants learn more about admission, and strengthen their understanding of women’s experiences in STEM. Please note, the residential and virtual components are fully funded by the Office of Admission.

WISTEM is intended for students who are high school juniors (or equivalent), who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents (who live within the United States), and are committed to the inclusion of women in STEM. Invited WISTEM participants will receive a fee waiver for their first-year application to HMC.

WISTEM 2026:

Applications for the 2026 WISTEM cohort will go live later this fall. Please check back in Fall 2025 for additional information regarding our 2026 cohort!

Please check out our WISTEM Frequently Asked Questions regarding our process and procedures.

WISTEM Program Details

The Women’s Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (WISTEM) program offers college-bound high school juniors an opportunity to learn about the experiences of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and at HMC as they begin their college search process.

WISTEM is a six-month long program. For 2024-2025, our residential program took place on February 16 to 18, 2025, and the virtual programs took place on December 14, 2024, January 25, 2025, and April 26, 2025, with additional dates announced as needed. Please note, the online component will require you to use Discord and Zoom as communication platforms. Virtual and in-person dates for 2026 will be announced this fall.

Things to know:

WISTEM invitees will:

  • Be required to attend all virtual sessions and the residential component.
  • Get an inside look into Harvey Mudd and learn about the HMC experience from current Harvey Mudd students and other community members.
  • Interact with other college-bound students who share their passion for STEM.
  • Engage with HMC through webinars and assignments (estimated a total of 1-3 hours per month).
  • Explore topics relating to college search, and admission.
  • Receive a fee waiver for their first-year application to HMC.

See last year’s schedule here:

2024-2025 WISTEM Program Schedule

Program Impact & Comments From Previous Participants:

  • “I really enjoyed the people I met at the program. It was amazing to meet so many other young women who are all in similar situations as me and who all share a love for STEM. I also really liked meeting the faculty and the admissions officers. I got to really understand how the admission process works. After not knowing much about Harvey Mudd College this program has made me excited to apply to the college next year.”
  • “I loved meeting everyone and getting to know the campus and it’s culture & values. I had some idea of what Harvey Mudd was like before, and now I feel like I’m part of the community. Interacting with the friendly admissions staff was great too. [T]hey were very approachable people with down to earth personalities. Lastly, the food was AMAZING and I am so lucky to have been fed so well throughout this program.”
  • “The time spent on your campus during my junior year was truly instrumental to my decision to pursue STEM.”
  • “The overnight stay at Harvey Mudd made me so enthusiastic to begin looking at my prospects for a college education. The students that I met were so inviting and the resources that Harvey Mudd provided me with were incomparable.”
  • “It really helped me get a sense of what I wanted from a college and who I am. I honestly loved every minute (even the hard ones) and am extremely grateful for the memories and lifelong friends.”
  • “I gained deep insights into the college admission process and the pursue of STEM field as a female in college. Harvey Mudd College has a special place in my heart and have given me the experience I would not have had without WISTEM. I am excited to see where our cohorts end up, as well as for the future cohorts of this program.”

Learn more about the impact of the program and WISTEM alumni experiences in our WISTEM Outcomes page.

Questions?

Check out our WISTEM Frequently Asked Questions! Can’t find an answer to your question? Contact us at admission@hmc.edu.