WISTEM FAQs
Will the WISTEM program take place in 2023?
We are thrilled to host our seventh annual Women’s Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (WISTEM) program! WISTEM is intended for students who are high school juniors (or equivalent), whose current school is located in the west coast and southwest of the United States, and are committed to the inclusion of women in STEM. Read in-depth details about WSITEM 2023 on our website.
About the Program
Could I participate in the residential/online portion of the program only?
No, WISTEM students must agree to participate in the ENTIRETY of the residential AND online components in order to be accepted to WISTEM.
What will be included in the WISTEM Online program? How much time can I expect to dedicate to the program?
How much time you dedicate to the WISTEM program is really based on your own time management skills. WISTEM webinars highlight women of color in the STEM professions and explore the college application process. Monthly assignments involve reflective posts on Discord, personal essay draft, and more. Assignments are scheduled to be completed monthly and should not take more than 1-3 hours of work per month.
About the Application Process
Who should apply to WISTEM?
The WISTEM program is open to high school juniors (or equivalent) that are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, live in the United States and its territories, and are considering the STEM fields as they begin their college search and application process, and are interested in strengthening their understanding of the experiences of women in STEM, with a particular focus on the experiences of women of color.
Eligible states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Can undocumented students apply to WISTEM?
Undocumented students are welcome to apply to WISTEM, but should know that ultimately they would apply for first-year admission to HMC and need-based financial aid as international students. Our funding for international student financial aid is limited.
How do I apply?
See the Applying to WISTEM page to learn about the application process.
What should I do if my junior year grades aren’t ready by the deadline?
We understand grading schedules vary between schools. If final grades for fall semester of 11th are not available, then we ask students include a copy of their progress report or quarter grades. We only require UNOFFICIAL transcripts, so we can accept screen shots from electronic grade books, scanned report cards/progress reports, etc.
Are Standardized Test required to apply to WISTEM?
No, standardized testing (e.g., SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests) results are NOT required to apply to the WISTEM program. You will notice a section of the application will ask for the results of any standardized tests you have taken as this can assist the admission committee in decision-making process. However, we understand that many students will not have taken standardized tests by the fall of their junior year in high school.
When is the application due? May I ask for a deadline extension? Could I submit some of the required materials after the deadline?
The 2023 WISTEM Application is due on January 9, 2023. Given the level of interest in the WISTEM program, we are unable to grant extensions. Similarly, we are unable to accept materials submitted after the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
About WISTEM Decisions
How many students are invited to WISTEM?
The WISTEM program is small by design. Only 20 students will be invited to the 2023 WISTEM cohort.
When will I be notified about my WISTEM application?
Students receive email notification by no later than January 9 2023.. All WISTEM correspondence is done via email, so make sure you enter a valid email address in the online application form.
What if I’m not invited to the program?
Given the small size of the program (20 students!), we are unable to accommodate every interested applicant. Unfortunately we end up turning down most of the very talented students that apply to WISTEM every year. Please know that a negative decision from us is a result of our space and budget constraints, and not due to lack of confidence in you as a potential first-year applicant. WISTEM application results have no effect on your first-year HMC application.
If you are not invited to join WISTEM, you should absolutely continue to consider HMC for first-year admission, and if time and expense permit, visit our campus!
- Register for a campus tour and information session via our events calendar. (Visits during your senior year could include an overnight stay and/or admission interview.)
- Check out our required application materials for first-year admission.
About Travel
Who will pay for my travel to HMC?
The WISTEM program is completely FREE for invited students. Harvey Mudd will fully fund round trip travel to Claremont, CA.