Who can apply to TASC
TASC is a free summer science program at the University of Tulsa for high school students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. Travel, housing, meals, and materials are covered. There is no cost to attend and no application fee.
Students can be nominated by schools, tribal education offices, and community leaders, but a nomination is not required. Direct applications are welcome. If you meet the requirements below, don’t wait for a nomination.
Hard requirements
- Rising sophomore, junior, or senior. Exceptional rising freshmen are also welcome to apply. Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible.
- Enrolled in a federally recognized tribe
- GPA above 3.0 / 4.0
If you’re unsure about any of the above, apply anyway and explain briefly in your application, or email us at tasc-exec@mit.edu. We would rather hear from you than have you rule yourself out.
Nice-to-haves (not requirements)
We do not expect you to be valedictorian. We do not expect you to have taken calculus in eighth grade. We’re looking for students who have made the most of their environment so far, whether that’s STEM, arts, sports, community leadership, hands-on work, or self-driven projects.
The common thread: curiosity and ambition. If you routinely ask “why?” and “how?” and then go figure it out, you’re the kind of student we want.
You do not need prior experience with programming, lab work, or advanced math. The tracks are taught to meet you where you are, and past students have arrived with none and done well.
Common questions about eligibility
Do I need a CDIB card or enrollment paperwork to apply?
No. The application asks you to list your tribal affiliation(s). You do not need to upload a CDIB card, an enrollment number, or any other documentation in order to apply. If we need to confirm anything, we will ask you directly later in the process.
What if I’m a descendant but not an enrolled member?
Enrollment in a federally recognized tribe is the stated requirement, so we can’t promise that descendant status will qualify. Please email tasc-exec@mit.edu before applying and tell us your situation. Enrollment rules vary a great deal between nations, and we would rather look at your case than have you rule yourself out.
My tribe is state-recognized, not federally recognized. Can I apply?
Our stated requirement is federal recognition, so this is another case to email us about rather than assume. Tell us your nation and your situation and we will give you a straight answer.
Is there any cost, and does that include travel?
There is no cost. TASC covers travel to and from Tulsa, housing, all meals during the program, program materials, and activities, and there is no application fee. It is a fly-in program, and students come from across the country, not just Oklahoma.
Do I need to be nominated?
No. Most students are nominated by a teacher, counselor, tribal education office, or community leader, but direct applications are read exactly the same way and all costs are covered either way. If you would like someone to nominate you, point them at the nomination page.
What does the application ask for?
It is shorter than a college application:
- Basic information: name, high school, state, tribal affiliation(s), date of birth, and email
- At least two short essays, up to 500 words each. Neither longer responses nor more responses are favored.
- Your unweighted and weighted GPA, plus a transcript. An unofficial transcript is fine.
- SAT, ACT, or PSAT scores, if you want to share them. They are optional.
- Optional supplements: files or links to anything you have made
- A short note on how you used AI, if you did
The prompts you can choose from:
- What is the most ambitious goal you have for your life, and what steps have you taken to achieve it?
- TASC is part of MIT’s “Code.Tulsa” initiative, leveraging MIT’s technical expertise to drive technological innovation in tribal communities. What is a problem in your community that could be addressed with technology?
- Many legendary leaders faced adversity, either acute or omnipresent for long stretches of time. How has dealing with adversity shaped you and your goals?
- Make the most persuasive argument you can that this program is not an effective use of MIT and the PKG Center’s funding.
Can I use ChatGPT or another AI model on my application?
Yes. You may use any tools you have, including large language models, feedback from teachers and peers, or online research, and we ask you to disclose it in a short question at the end. We are trying to understand how you think and what you care about, so write authentically rather than writing what you think we want to hear.
What happens after I apply?
We review applications on a rolling basis, invite selected students to an interview, and send decisions after review. Applying earlier in the window is generally better than applying late.
Ready to apply
Applications for TASC ’27 open this winter. Leave your email and we’ll tell you the day they do, or send us a question if anything above was unclear.