A group of students stands in front of the MIT dome.

The 2018 Chemistry ACCESS program participants: From left to right: Ahmed Mohamed, Sabina Cabrera, Marina Flores (back row), Edelmy Marin Bernard, Tyler Roberts (back row), Lexie Day, James Breton (back row), Isabelle Pacheco, Alexis Butler, Bria Garcia

Photo: Corban Swain

A male faculty member welcomes the program participants to the weekend's events.

Professor Tim Jamison hosts the Department of Chemistry welcome session.

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A young female program participant engages in conversation.

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A young man with a beard engages in conversation with a young woman.

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Two female ACCESS participants engage in conversation at a workshop.

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A female program participant listens to a panel while eating breakfast.

Photo: Corban Swain

A group of students stand outdoors under umbrellas and listen to a guide while on a campus tour.

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A group of students listens to an anecdote while taking a tour of a student center.

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A young man and a young woman listen to a guide as they enjoy a campus tour.

Photo: Corban Swain

Two women engage in conversation around a conference table.

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A group of students sit around a conference table with a panel of professors and professionals.

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Two female ACCESS participants smile together sitting at a table.

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A young woman is deep in conversation.

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A woman listens intently to a presentation.

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A male professor presents a slide to a room full of students.

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ACCESS participants listen to a faculty presentation.

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Two male professors pose with a group of 23 student program participants.

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Two female ACCESS participants take in a workshop.

Photo: Corban Swain

Photo: Corban Swain

Graduate students engage in conversation over lunch.

Photo: Corban Swain

Photo: Corban Swain

A seated female graduate student smiles as she addresses a conference table of program participants.

Graduate Student Lindsey Backman hosts a Research 101 Workshop.

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A female current MIT graduate students engages with two female program participants at lunch.

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A group of young women engage in conversation around a breakfast table.

Photo: Corban Swain

Two female program participants engage in conversation.

Photo: Corban Swain

A young female program participant engages in conversation.

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A male graduate student explains his pending demonstration to a group of graduate students in a lab.

Matthias Ginterseder of the Bawendi Lab performs a Quantum Dots demonstration for the ACCESS participants.

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A male graduate student performs a demonstration for the group in a laboratory.

Matthias Ginterseder of the Bawendi Lab performs a Quantum Dots demonstration for the ACCESS participants.

Photo: Corban Swain

A male graduate student explains a laser set up to a group of program participants.

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Program participants gather around a male graduate student performing a demonstration in a lab.

Matthias Ginterseder of the Bawendi Lab performs a Quantum Dots demonstration for the ACCESS participants.

Photo: Corban Swain

23 students stand under umbrellas in front of the MIT dome.

The full MIT-ACCESS Program Class of 2018.

Photo: Corban Swain

23 Students Participate in the 2018 MIT-ACCESS Program

by Danielle Randall Doughty, Department of Chemistry |
Categories: Events, Students

The mission of the ACCESS program is to increase the diversity of qualified applicants to PHD programs in chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science.

The MIT-ACCESS program, which aims to open doors and promote diversity in science and engineering, held another action-packed and informative weekend from October 11-13, 2018.

The mission of the ACCESS program is to increase the diversity of qualified applicants to PHD programs in chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science throughout the United States. ACCESS is a weekend of educational and informative events that will introduce talented sophomores, juniors and seniors to the benefits of a graduate education in chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science. The goal of ACCESS is not to prepare students for graduate school at MIT specifically, but rather to introduce them to the advantages of choosing a graduate career path at an institution that best meets each participant’s individual needs.

The weekend-long program offers students an overview of graduate education through seminars, faculty talks, and interactive sessions, all designed to give a greater understanding of the application process and an insight into the doors a graduate career can open. The majority of participants in prior years have gone on to apply for and enroll in PhD programs.

Ten of the program’s 23 attendees participated in the weekend’s Chemistry schedule, which was kicked off with a welcome from Department Head and R.R. Taylor Professor Timothy F. Jamison and included faculty presentations from Professors Robert W. Field, Timothy M. Swager, and Alex K. Shalek. Professor Daniel L.M. Suess also engaged with the participants in a Careers in Chemistry panel.

In addition, the weekend included a campus tour, a Quantum Dots presentation with members of the Bawendi Group, a dinner in Harvard Square hosted by the Chemistry Graduate Students, a Communications Workshop, and two-minute drills. The program concluded with a reception dinner at the MIT Museum.

This year, the Department of Chemistry’s ACCESS program was supported by a grant from the PPG Foundation. “PPG is delighted to support the mission of the ACESS program, to increase the diversity of qualified applicants to PhD programs in chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science throughout the United States,” said Michael Makowski, PPG Manager of New Technology Initiatives. “Through our community engagement, the PPG Foundation aims to bring color and brightness to communities around the world.”

To learn more about the MIT-ACCESS program, including how to apply, visit the MIT-ACCESS website.