MIT Hosts Inaugural STARS Rural Fly-In Program to Empower Small-Town and Rural Students
This fall, MIT launched its first-ever Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) Fly-In, bringing 20 high school students from rural and small-town communities across a dozen states to campus. Designed to introduce these students to the unique strengths they bring to higher education, the STARS Fly-In aimed to demystify the college application process, strengthen student confidence, and underscore the value of diverse perspectives in elite institutions.
Students from rural backgrounds attend top colleges at significantly lower rates than their urban peers. The STARS Fly-In seeks to bridge this gap by providing targeted college application support for students who often face unique challenges, such as limited access to college counseling or exposure to top-tier schools. During the program, students had the opportunity to attend admissions workshops, connect with current MIT students known as our STARS Admission Ambassadors and tour campus facilities – including attending workshops at MIT Open Learning and the Edgerton Center.
By the end of the STARS Fly-In, each student left with tools to confidently navigate the college admissions process, a new network of peers, and mentors who understood their journey. More than an introduction to MIT, the program sparked conversations about the valuable perspectives rural and small-town students bring to campus life. In a world where college opportunities still disproportionately favor urban students, initiatives like this Fly-In are a step toward a more inclusive, diverse higher education landscape — one where talent from every corner of the country can thrive.
— Nicole Cooper, Admissions