MIT FAQ for application year 2009-2010

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>Welcome to the MIT forum on College Confidential! </p>

<p>Several current MIT students, MIT alums (including alumni interviewers), and MIT parents post on this forum, and we're happy to answer any questions that we can. Some questions are asked very often, and I'll try to cover them in this FAQ.</p>

<p>When can I apply to MIT?
MIT has both an early action (EA) and a regular decision (RD) round of applications.</p>

<p>MIT's EA program is non-restrictive (you can apply to other schools, as long as those schools allow applicants to apply early to other places) and non-binding (after you are admitted, you can choose whether or not to attend). The EA deadline is November 1, and decisions are usually available online around December 10-15. EA admits get financial aid information with RD admits in late March, and are required to reply to MIT by May 1. </p>

<p>MIT is committed to admitting no more than 30% of the class EA, so the EA admit rate is usually the same as or lower than the RD admit rate. About 70% of EA applicants are deferred to the RD round, and are given the opportunity to send in supplemental materials before RD consideration begins. International students are not allowed to apply EA.</p>

<p>MIT's RD deadline is January 1, and decisions are usually available online around March 15-20.</p>

<p>For more information, see MIT's webpage [here[/url</a>].</p>

<p>What standardized tests do I need to take to apply to MIT?
For native English speakers, MIT requires either the SAT I with writing or the ACT with writing. MIT additionally requires 2 SAT II subject tests, one in math (either Math Ic or Math IIc) and one in science.</p>

<p>For non-native English speakers, MIT requires either the SAT I with writing, the ACT with writing, or the TOEFL. MIT additionally requires 2 SAT II subject tests, one in math and one in science.</p>

<p>MIT superscores the SAT and ACT, so only the highest scores from each section will be considered for your evaluation. This is also true of the SAT IIs -- if you take more tests than are necessary, MIT will consider only the best scores that fit their criteria. If you take both the SAT and the ACT, MIT will only use the better set of scores in your evaluation. There are no preferred SAT II subject tests, and there is no preference as to whether you take the SAT or the ACT.</p>

<p>If you have taken AP tests prior to applying to MIT, you do not need to send MIT an official score report. Self-reporting your scores on the application will be sufficient.</p>

<p>The latest test date for EA applicants is the November date (no rush report required), and the latest test date for RD applicants is the December date, although January tests will be accepted at MIT's discretion.</p>

<p>For more information on MIT's testing requirements, see the standardized test requirements [url=<a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/standardized_test_requirements/index.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/standardized_test_requirements/index.shtml]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;].&lt;/p>

<p>Who can write my letters of recommendation?
MIT requires two letters of recommendation, one from a math or science teacher and one from a humanities teacher. Matt McGann has confirmed for me that a teacher of any subject that, if it were taught at MIT, would be taught within the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences ([url=<a href="http://shass.mit.edu%5DSHASS%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://shass.mit.edu]SHASS](&lt;a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/deadlines/index.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/deadlines/index.shtml)&lt;/a&gt;), is fine for the humanities letter of rec. This includes foreign languages, history, writing, literature, and others.</p>

<p>See more information at Matt McGann's blog [here[/url</a>].</p>

<p>What's this about an interview?
MIT alumni known as Educational Counselors (ECs) try to interview all applicants to MIT, though students who do not live within a reasonable distance of an EC have the interview waived. In late summer or early fall, the contact information for the EC assigned to each applicant will be visible in the MyMIT portal; each applicant is responsible for contacting his or her EC to schedule the interview. </p>

<p>You must contact your EC before October 20 (EA) or December 10 (RD) in order to secure an interview. Every year on CC, we see several students who neglected to contact their ECs prior to the deadline but who still want an interview. Contact your EC early!</p>

<p>The interview is a relatively informal conversation about you, and an opportunity for you to ask the EC questions about MIT. You should dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable -- there's no prescribed dress code.</p>

<p>For more information on the interview, see the MIT site [url=<a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/interviews_educational_counselors_ecs/index.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/interviews_educational_counselors_ecs/index.shtml]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;], blog entries on the interview [url=<a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/interviews_educational_counselors_ecs/completearchive.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/interviews_educational_counselors_ecs/completearchive.shtml]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;], or look for posts on this forum by Mikalye, our (awesome) resident EC.</p>

<p>Can I send additional materials with my MIT application?
You can send several different types of supplements to your MIT application: an extra recommendation, a research abstract, pictures or websites containing things you've created, a music tape, an art portfolio -- things that will help tell the MIT admissions officers more about who you are. Make sure your name and birthdate are in an obvious place on the supplement.</p>

<p>For RD, supplemental materials should get to MIT no later than February 1 in order for them to be considered. Selection starts around Valentine's Day, so in order for your supplemental material to be seen, it should be sent in January.</p>

<p>There is also a section on the application which asks for anything else you'd like to add. Not everyone utilizes this space, but you might consider using it as a space for another essay (either a "why MIT" essay or an essay you've written for another application), for an explanation of any unusual academic circumstances you encountered, or for a list of self-studied classes or APs you've taken. Anything goes, though -- if you'd like to write a sonnet declaring your love for quantum physics, that's perfectly acceptable, too. This space emphatically does not "have" to be used as a space for another essay -- be creative!</p>

<p>I want to submit supplemental material, but I don't want the admissions officers to think I'm annoying. Should I send it or not?
I don't think fear of being "annoying" should be a factor at all in your decision to submit or not to submit supplemental materials. The people reading your application are professional admissions officers, and their job is to read the application that you craft and submit.</p>

<p>I think it should be totally up to you as the applicant: do you think these additional materials will provide a better picture of who you are as a person? If they're redundant, I don't think they should be sent -- not because the admissions officers would be angry or annoyed, because they won't be, but because it's not helpful to keep repeating the same points in the application.</p>

<p>Scientists have a term called "grantsmanship" -- the skills that you need to craft a strong, pithy, on-point, fundable grant application. I think that undergraduate applicants need to have a dose of grantsmanship themselves to make an application that highlights their strengths and makes a strong argument for admission. Remember that the admissions officers have never met you, and they're relying only on your application to get a sense of who you are and why you should be admitted to MIT. If your extra material helps make that case, then send it. If it doesn't, then don't.</p>

<p>Does MIT only admit geniuses and 2400 scorers? Can I still get in if I didn't participate in science fairs or olympiads or math contests?
Although there are a lot of really smart students at MIT, most students are garden-variety smart and hard-working. You definitely have to be smart to get into MIT, but you don't need to be some sort of otherworldly genius.</p>

<p>Most admitted students did not participate in top science and math contests. It's okay if you don't know what the AIME is, or if you didn't do particularly well on the AMC12. It's great if you've participated in or done well in these contests, but most applicants and admits have not.</p>

<p>I'm going to major in English. Will it be easier for me to get into MIT?
MIT does not admit according to major -- students do not declare a major until the end of freshman year, so all applicants are considered officially undecided. It is no easier to be admitted as a prospective English or management major than as a prospective chemistry or electrical engineering major.</p>

<p>Although MIT has excellent programs in many humanities and social science disciplines, prospective students in these fields should be aware that MIT's General Institute Requirements (GIRs) require all students to take two semesters of physics, two semesters of calculus, one semester of chemistry, one semester of biology, one lab course, and two science/technology electives in order to graduate.</p>

<p>For more information, see the GIRs on the admissions webpage [url=<a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/learning/general_institute_requirements/index.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/learning/general_institute_requirements/index.shtml]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;].&lt;/p>

<p>I got a B/4 on the AP test/700 on the SAT! Did I ruin my chances to get into MIT?
Probably not. MIT's admissions process is holistic, meaning that all factors relevant to your application are considered when deciding whether or not to admit you.</p>

<p>Still, MIT's applicant pool is very competitive -- check out the admissions statistics [url=<a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/admissions_statistics/index.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/admissions_statistics/index.shtml]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;] for the last admitted class. Also be sure to check out the CC results thread for the class of 2012 [url=<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/546625-consolidated-ea-rd-2012-results-thread.html%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/546625-consolidated-ea-rd-2012-results-thread.html]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;] and for the class of 2013 [url=<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/708343-consolidated-ea-rd-2013-results-thread.html%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/708343-consolidated-ea-rd-2013-results-thread.html]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;].&lt;/p>

<p>What are some useful websites for finding more information about MIT?
[url=<a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org%5DMIT"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org]MIT&lt;/a> Admissions homepage](<a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_freshman_application/some_recommendations_about_rec.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_freshman_application/some_recommendations_about_rec.shtml)
MIT</a> Blogs
Common</a> Data Set</p>

<p>Best wishes, and again, welcome to MIT CC!</p>

<p>-Mollie, MIT class of 2006 (brain and cognitive sciences/biology, MacGregor resident, cheerleader)</p>

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<p>I recently took the ACT with writing. I think I did pretty bad on the essay, but fairly well on the rest. I also took the SAT, and I think I did well on all of it. Will it negatively affect my admissions decision too much if I have an exceptionally low ACT essay score?</p>

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<p>See above:

</p>

<p>MIT will only use the scores that put you in the best light, and will not consider other scores.</p>

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<p>Oh, okay. I have a follow-up question, then: how does MIT decide which set of scores is better?</p>

<p>I also have an off-topic question: when does the application for the fall 2010 term become available?</p>

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<p>They have a conversion chart for the ACT. I’m not sure what the exact conversion is, but they will do it themselves, so if there’s a question in your mind as to which score is better, you should send both and let MIT sort it out.</p>

<p>I think the application is usually available around Labor Day.</p>

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<p>Thank you! Your responses were very helpful.</p>

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<p>Affirmative action sucks.</p>

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<p>I’m just angry that I would have a much higher chance of getting into MIT if I was a black female, even with the same transcript.</p>

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<p>This is not the place for wanking about affirmative action, and I’m not sure what about the topic of this thread implied that it is.</p>

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<p>^Hmm thats weird…I wonder why I would post under here (I do remember that I posted under some other thread in this forum though that someone brought up)? Sorry about that.</p>

<p>Anyways, I do have a question: Is MIT doing score choice? I know they do it holistically, but I was just wondering if they did it or not.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>I’m not sure what MIT’s policy on score choice will be, but in a broad sense, it doesn’t matter whether they will allow it or not – their policies already select the best scores from any test results you have.</p>

<p>There would not be a difference between selecting your highest score to send to MIT and sending MIT all of your scores. In both cases, they will note your best score on your application summary card and not use any other scores.</p>

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<p>also I think I read somewhere that MIT does not consider your high school context or something like that (i probably misread)?</p>

<p>What does that exactly mean? I come from a fairly competitive school (but not for big awards like Siemens) in Michigan. </p>

<p>Does that put me in a different context than someone whose from a big time science school from a richer community like Thomas Jefferson in Virginia?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>Will MIT NOT consider the SAT Writing portion this year also?</p>

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<p>That’s an interesting question. I have a related question - if MIT does consider the SAT writing portion, will it read and consider the SAT essay?</p>

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<p>

MIT does consider your high school context. This means that they will look at your high school achievements in light of what was available to you – taking 10 AP tests and doing research with a professor at a local university is a lot more impressive for someone who comes from a small rural school that sends few of its students to college than for a student at an outstanding prep school.</p>

<p>Context can mean many things, and it’s your job to explain your particular circumstances in the application.</p>

<p>

I haven’t seen it announced yet whether MIT will consider the SAT writing score this year or not. They have not used it in their evaluations in previous years.</p>

<p>An interesting fact, though, is that even with no explicit selection for writing scores, the middle 50% score range for admitted students is 670-770. So whether or not MIT is using SAT writing scores in its evaluation, admitted students tend to have high scores.</p>

<p>

I don’t know the answer to this question, but I will try to find out for you. I strongly suspect that MIT does not make a habit of reading SAT essays, and if I had to bet, that’s where my money would be.</p>

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<p>I have a follow-up question to the original “high school context” question, then.</p>

<p>My school is new, meaning that I will be part of the first graduating class. How will MIT get information about my school, such as what courses are available?</p>

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<p>Your guidance counselor will usually send this information in his/her report.</p>

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<p>Hi,
I’m new to college confidential.
I saw that you majored in brain and cognitive sciences at MIT.
I love neuroscience and hope to major in the brain and cognitive science program at MIT.
I’ve read about the major and the various courses on the MIT website but was wondering if you could give me a student’s perspective.
hope to hear from you soon.
Su</p>

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<p>I really enjoyed the BCS department. The department is pretty small – only about 30-40 majors per year – so classes are mostly small, and students have a lot of access to faculty members. The curriculum is very flexible, so students are free to take classes in areas of the department they find interesting. Personally, I’m the cellular/molecular neuro type, so I chose to take classes on topics like neural plasticity and neurochemistry. I started doing research the summer after my freshman year. I thought the department gave me a lot of access to top-notch professors and freedom to choose the types of classes that interested me.</p>

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<p>I was wondering if you could describe the music opportunities at MIT. I play guitar (jazz band at school and metal elsewhere), so I would like to know what sorts of groups I could participate in. Thank you!</p>