Last week, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory hosted a one-week program introducing high school students to cryptography, a technique for securing data. This free program was held in person at MIT Beaver Works flagship location for high-school students curious about mathematics or cyber security. The admissions process is competitive, and people from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
What do students do in this program?
During the duration of the program, students learn about various topics relating to cryptography. On the first day, students are introduced to the history of cryptography and encryption and its modern applications. They learn about ciphers, perfect and semantic security,
and different methods of encryption and decryption. They also understand the flaws of many encryption schemes and attempt to decipher ciphertexts without the secret key. Near the end of the program, students learn about digital signatures and certificates, the public key infrastructure, zero-knowledge proofs, and the blockchain. There are no prerequisites, but the course covers modular arithmetic, abstract algebra, number theory, group theory, and some statistics. This workshop provides a solid foundation for cryptography and familiarizes students with new topics.
My Experience in the Program
I was fortunate enough to attend this program and thoroughly enjoyed it. The class consisted of only 23 students from diverse backgrounds and was taught by Lincoln Laboratory staff. The instructors, who acquired at least a Master’s or PhD degree, rotated daily to teach topics they specialized in. It was an eye-opening experience and forced me to think outside the box. Unlike a conventional classroom, the students were engaged, and it was very fast-paced and challenging. It was mentally exhausting, but there were frequent breaks. All food and classroom supplies were also provided.
I also learned a lot about the MIT campus and frequently traveled through Boston’s subway system. After this program, I knew I belonged in a competitive and diverse environment and wanted to study at a university like MIT. I also realized that I was interested in the field of cybersecurity and computer science and wanted to study STEM in college. On the last day of the program, we met with an MIT admissions officer who addressed questions regarding MIT campus living and the college application process.
How to Apply?
The selection process for LLCipher is very competitive because they only accept a small number of students. I applied last year and was waitlisted, but this year I was admitted. LLCipher applications usually open around early February and the deadline is at the end of April.
You can access the application portal via the following link: https://mit-llc.smapply.io.
The online application requires personal information, transcripts, test scores, teacher recommendation letters, and a small essay. More information and requirements regarding this program can be found on the website: https://www.ll.mit.edu/outreach/llcipher. MIT and the Lincoln Laboratory also offer many other free and/or paid summer programs, which can be found on their respective websites: https://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/summer/ and https://www.ll.mit.edu/outreach.
Written by Lakshya Jain
August 21, 2022
