Massachusetts Institute of Technology, popularly known as MIT, is one of the world’s and the country’s best engineering schools, with many hoping they would one day be able to walk through the gates of the institute as one of their students and eventually graduate. Unfortunately, more than 90% of those who apply to this school get rejected. It takes more than having a perfect SAT/ACT score or even a GPA of 4.0 to get admitted.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is simply looking for the best out of the best, the ones who stand out among the special. But even with that, you can definitely achieve your dream of being one of the special ones to get admitted into one of the best universities in the US. So, make sure to check out the MIT admission process and tips below.
Admissions Process at MIT
Again, applying to MIT is challenging and takes more than the regular process, but following this step-by-step process will improve your chance of getting in. Remember that you don’t want to make any mistakes, so you need all the help you can get to have a seamless process. So, here’s how to begin your admission process into MIT. (Note: this is mainly focused on the undergraduate application process at MIT, the graduate admissions steps differ per study program)
Step 1. Create a MyMIT Account
You can submit your application through the MIT application portal, which only takes a few minutes. Creating a MyMIT account is very simple. You will be required to fill out basic demographic information like your name, home address, date of birth, and high school name.
Once you have done that, you will be able to complete your application, get your interviewer’s contact information and name, join the MIT mailing list, and track your application progress.
Step 2. Finish Your Online Application
To complete your application, log into your MIT account, where most of the application work is done. Here, you will be required to fill out several pieces of information, including your biographical information, test scores, awards, academic history, employment history, advanced classes you’ve taken, extracurriculars, and your test score. Every applicant must be made aware of the application deadlines — whether you are applying for the Early Action or the Regular Action.
You’ll also be required to answer questions on why you chose your field of study and what cultural experience guides you. Then, you’ll need to write three short essays between 200 and 250 words, submit your official transcript, provide the information of the two teachers who will be writing your evaluation, and pay the $75 application fee.
Step 3. Submit Your Standardized Test Scores and Secondary School Report
To continue your MIT admission process, you must submit your official high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores. While MIT does not have a minimum required score for either the SAT or ACT, the university expects applicants to score as high as 75% of other admitted students to get a chance in the highly competitive school.
In other words, you should be looking to get 800 in Math and 780 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing to hit 75% on the SAT, while a score of 36 is high enough for your ACT. Interestingly, people with lower scores have successfully made it into MIT, but to have a higher chance of getting in, keep your scores as high as possible.
Step 4. Submit Letters of Recommendation from Two Teachers
MIT requires you to submit two letters of recommendation as part of your application process, one from a humanities/language teacher and the other from a math/science teacher. You will fill out the teachers’ names and addresses in your MIT application account, and then the form will be sent to them. You should do this process before the application ends.
Step 5. Schedule an Interview
The interview is usually the next phase after submitting your application. An Educational Counselor (EC) who will be conducting the interview will contact you. There are about 5,000 of them worldwide, and most are alumni of MIT. This meeting can be held virtually or at a selected location, like a library or restaurant close to you.
Although acing university interviews are challenging and not entirely compulsory, we highly recommend them for a better chance of getting through the MIT admission process. It is also important to prepare very well for the questions you might be asked and appear as relaxed as possible.
Step 6. Submit Your February Updates and Notes Form
Once you are admitted into MIT, you will be required to fill out this online form. It will be available on your application portal by mid-January, and you are expected to submit it by February 15th.
Tips to Get Into MIT
MIT wants to admit students who have proven to be “students and community members first, and applicants second.” They believe these are people who go on to be excellent leaders with unique experiences and a passion for putting out excellence while still maintaining a positive social life. So, for them to see that in you, you need to put in that extra effort, and here are three MIT Admission process tips that can help you with that.
Tip 1. Have an Impressive High School Run
This advice means acing your classes with at least an all-A result. Take AP courses and get college credit from science and math-oriented universities or colleges that allow seniors to take classes there. It can prove to them that you can handle the pressure that comes with being in a competitive school.
Taking part in extracurricular activities is also a huge bonus, too. While MIT is looking to admit genius, they also want to be sure you can have a balanced social life and that you are deeply committed to making a lasting impact in your society. So, while still in high school, do impactful things like becoming the president of a club, starting a study group, and raising awareness on issues in your environment, among other things. It is also a good idea to have a great relationship with your teachers and an online presence relating to the areas of your interest.
Tip 2. Write an Inspiring Essay
A compelling essay can do wonders for your MIT application process. Be natural with it and choose a topic that appeals to you, something you can easily talk about or enjoy talking about.
You also want it to be relevant and significant to you and your course of study. The admission board also wants to see how you will contribute meaningfully to the college community and would like to see that in your essay. However, avoid being cocky and overly praising yourself.
Tip 3. Show Passion at Your Interview
MIT is home to brilliant minds invested in using science and technology to solve problems. Another admission process tip you should consider is that you want to show that you possess the drive for what you want to do.
During your interview, let them see your passion and talk about the time you used tech to solve problems, like how you created a system where you can turn on the light in your room by just clapping your hands twice. Show your interviewer that you are the perfect fit for MIT.
FAQs: Studying at MIT
What is the Acceptance Rate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
MIT’s acceptance rate is 4%, which means that they are highly selective. To put this in context, only 7 out of every 100 students who apply have a real chance of getting admitted.
While the acceptance rate is the first thing you should check before beginning your application, you should also keep in mind that you would have to meet their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, prove that you are academically sound, and impress MIT application readers with your application requirements, such as your essay, letter of recommendation, and even extracurriculars.
Carefully following this MIT admission process and tips will give you a better chance of making it into MIT. Ensure you meet all their requirements and submit before the stipulated deadline, and with some extra effort, you are just one step ahead of getting into your dream school.
We hope this article on the MIT admission process and tips is informative and helpful. Feel free to visit our Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Programs for International Students sections for more information about the different open courses and scholarship opportunities in the country!
