If you’re interested in pursuing a career in STEM, I have no doubt you’ve already heard of MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In fact, given its reputation for having world-famous physical science and engineering programs, it might even be on your list of top schools!

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the current MIT admission requirements, including a detailed overview of the entire application process as well as several tips to help you boost your chances of admission.

How Selective Is MIT?

MIT comes in as the 4th most selective college in the United States, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 4.8%, with only 1,291 out of 26,914 applicants receiving offers of admission.

However, while MIT is a notoriously difficult school to get into, it’s most definitely not an impossible task! Students who want to increase their chances of admission need to make sure they take the time to really understand MIT’s unique application process so that they can build a truly outstanding application.

Would Early Action or Regular Action work better for you? Should you send in supplemental materials? Which standardized tests should you take? These are all important questions to consider as you embark on your journey toward MIT admission.

Early vs. Regular Action

First, let’s break down MIT’s rules about Early and Regular Action. The Early Action program at MIT is not single-choice or binding, meaning you can freely apply anywhere else you’d like to apply while also applying to Early Action at MIT. The main difference between it and Regular Action is the deadlines.

The deadline for Early Action applications falls on November 1. You may complete a standardized test in November and still send in your scores with that same application. The Regular Action deadline, on the other hand, is on January 1. The last applicable standardized testing date for Regular Action applications will be in December.

Deciding between Early and Regular Action mostly depends on your unique schedule and application timeline. If you feel that you can put together a comprehensive application in time for the Early Action deadline, then go ahead and submit! But don’t feel bad about waiting for Regular Action. MIT doesn’t prioritize one version of applications over another.

Admission Requirements

Now, let’s take a look at the first-year admission requirements for MIT. It’s important to note that first-year applicants can apply during or after their final year of high school, but they cannot apply if they have already earned a bachelor’s degree from another college.

Where to Apply

MIT has a unique application process compared to other schools. Many colleges in the U.S. invite students to apply through the Common Application, an online tool that allows applicants to easily submit applications to multiple colleges. However, MIT requires students to apply directly through its online portal. There is no option to apply through the Common App or any other similar application tools.

Keep in mind that you will be asked to indicate your field of study on your application. This is not a commitment to one major, but rather a way for MIT to better understand you and your interests. You won’t actually pick a major until the end of your first year at the school, so don’t worry too much about what you choose for your application.

The application fee for MIT is $75, but you can request a fee waiver on the Fee Waiver section of the application.

Personal Information

MIT’s application will ask you to supply several different types of personal information that you might not be used to seeing on college applications. You will be asked to include all of the following:

• One email address for all application activities.
• Your legal first and last name as well as your preferred name and pronouns.
• Your home address.
• Your gender (optional).
• Your citizenship.
• Your sexual orientation (kept completely confidential).
• Your religious affiliation.
• Your family information (parents, caregivers, etc.)

Be prepared to fill out all these fields when you complete your application.

Essays and Extracurriculars

Unlike other schools, MIT does not require students to submit one long essay. Instead, the admissions committee relies on several short answer questions to get to know incoming students. Questions should be answered in about 100 to 200 words each.

Here are some examples of the 2023-2024 application cycle short answer questions:

• We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.
• How has the world you come from — including your opportunities, experiences, and challenges — shaped your dreams and aspirations?
• How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it?

Students will also have space to list their extracurricular activities on the application. There will only be room for 4 activities, so you are advised to choose the ones that best represent you or that mean the most to you.

Coursework and Transcripts

Students can self-report their coursework on their applications before sending in their transcripts. This simply gives the admissions committee an easier way to view your academic career throughout high school. 

You will still have to have your school counselor submit an official transcript either directly through the application portal, through a third-party service, or in an email sent to [email protected].

Letters of Recommendation

MIT asks that students send in recommendations from two teachers, one who teaches either math or science and one who teaches humanities, social science, or language. You can request your recommendations directly through the application portal, but remember to send them out as soon as you can to avoid submitting your application late.

Standardized Test Scores

MIT is not a test-optional school, so all first-year applicants must submit either their ACT or SAT scores with their applications. If you choose to submit your ACT score, you do not have to include a score for the optional writing section.

Interview

Not many colleges still ask students to complete an interview, but MIT is one of the few that does. Interviews are designed to help the admissions committee learn more about you than can be said on a few pieces of paper. 

After you submit your application, you may receive an email inviting you to complete an interview. The interview will likely be between 30 minutes and 2 hours long. MIT recommends that students try to anticipate some of the questions they may be asked and think about their answers in advance in order to paint the best possible pictures of their passions and values.

Improve Your Chances of Admission with Prep Expert

MIT’s application process is a bit different from many other colleges, requiring a much wider range of diverse information. But don’t let that discourage you, especially when you have a whole team of experts waiting to help you at Prep Expert! 

With SAT and ACT courses designed to meet the needs of every student, one-on-one tutoring sessions hosted by specialized instructors, and dedicated college consulting for students and their families, Prep Expert offers all the tools you need to set yourself up for success both in college and in your professional life beyond.

I’ve spent over 10,000 hours researching and developing the best test prep materials over the past decade, and I’m proud to share those findings with thousands of students every year in hopes of helping them reach their dreams. Check out our course catalog today to learn more about what Prep Expert can do for you!