<p>Yep, mithopefulgirl, the MEng and the MS (actually, MIT calls it the SM) are 2 entirely different things. I believe all MIT engineering and science departments award SM degrees (although some of them may not be terminal SM programs), but not every engineering department awards an MEng. ChemE (couse 10) is one of those that does not award an MEng.</p>
<p>Basically, an MEng is a less research-oriented, more professionally-oriented master's degree compared to the SM. I don't want to overgeneralize because there is a lot of diversity among the various MEng programs, but basically the MEng programs tend to be faster to complete and involve less thesis writing and independent study than the SM programs do. </p>
<p>The most prominent MEng program at MIT is the one run by course 6 (EECS), and as molliebatmit mentioned, is quite distinctive. First of all, the course 6 MEng is open only to MIT undergrads. Undergrads from other schools cannot apply to the course6 MEng program. And furthermore, the app process (such as it is) is almost totally seamless - basically, all you do is fill out a simple app form, and if your grades in your course 6 undergrad classes are good enough, then you're in. You don't even need to have found an advisor to fund you at the time that you submit the app (it would be embarrassing to arrange for an advisor and then find out that the MEng program rejected you). Just one simple piece of paper and you're done. They look at your grades and your coursework and they decide whether to take you. No need to sit for the GRE, no need to pay an app fee, no need to get prof recommendations, no need to fill out a personal statement, none of that jazz. </p>
<p>Here is information about the course 6 MEng program.</p>
<p>Now, let's be clear. The above only applies to the MEng program in course 6. The other MEng programs at MIT do not have this seamless integration with the undergrad programs. {And if I may digress, I think that all MIT engineering departments should run a seamless MEng program similar to what course 6 has done - it's really one of the best features of course 6}. </p>
<p>Also, course 2 does indeed run an MEng program, called the Master of Engineering in Manufacturing program. However, it is targeted to those who have several years of experience in the manufacturing industry, not to people straight out of undergrad. </p>
<p><a href="http://www-me.mit.edu/GradProgram/GradDegrees.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www-me.mit.edu/GradProgram/GradDegrees.htm</a><br>
<a href="http://web.mit.edu/%7Emeng-manufacturing/%5B/url%5D">http://web.mit.edu/%7Emeng-manufacturing/</a></p>
<p>I would also point out, for the sake of fairness, that while the MIT ChemE department believes in the 'no-inbreeding' rule, this is not just specific only to them. ChemE departments at lots of other schools believe it too. For example, the ChemE departments at Berkeley and Caltech adhere to the rule.</p>