Major League Hacking Local Hack Day

What this program actually is

Major League Hacking Local Hack Day is a hackathon run by MLH. It's built for 9th–12th grade students who want to combine remote and in-person work with MLH on Computer Science.

The program runs for 1-2 days, based out of Worldwide. There's no cost to participate. That covers the program itself — check the official page separately for whether travel, housing, or meals are included.

Who it's for

Programs like this get the strongest applications from students who can point to a specific reason they want this one — not just "any research program" or "any internship."

• Students in 9th–12th grade — check the official page for exact grade cutoffs before applying.
• Open to students nationwide (and often internationally — verify on the official site).
• This program explicitly prioritizes under-resourced students, first-generation applicants, or students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the field.
• Strongest fit for students already curious about: Computer Science. You don't need prior formal experience — curiosity beats credentials.

Typical day-to-day in programs like this

The following describes what participants generally do in hackathons of this shape — not a confirmed schedule for Major League Hacking Local Hack Day. Always check the official program page for the actual activities.

• Ship something end-to-end in a very short window — usually 24 to 72 hours.
• Work in a team with people you often haven't met before. Comfort with ambiguity matters more than pre-existing skill.
• Present a working demo to judges. Even not winning is a resume line and a portfolio piece.

How to apply well

Selection is competitive but not unrealistic. A thoughtful application usually beats a decorated one.

• This program lists rolling admissions rather than a single deadline — but "rolling" usually means spots or funding fill over time, so applying earlier is still an advantage. Don't wait for a deadline that may never come.
• Read the official page twice before writing anything. Note the exact prompts and word counts.
• Answer the actual question. Reviewers read hundreds of essays; specificity beats polish.

Cost, funding & logistics

Cost and logistics kill more applications than eligibility does. Sort these out before you get emotionally invested.

• Format: Hybrid — some remote, some in-person components.
• Duration: 1-2 days.
• There's no cost to participate. That covers the program itself — check the official page separately for whether travel, housing, or meals are included.
• If travel or housing is required and cost is a concern, email the program directly and ask what aid is available. Programs rarely publish everything they can offer.

After the program

The most valuable thing you leave Major League Hacking Local Hack Day with is usually not the credential — it's the two or three people you met and the one concrete thing you made. Keep in touch with your mentors and peers; they're the beginning of a professional network in Computer Science.

Add the program to your resume, but also write down (for yourself) what specifically you learned, what you'd do differently, and what question you now want to answer next. That reflection is what turns a summer into a direction.