<p>I was wondering what undergraduate university or universities the largest percent of MIT graduate students come from. If there are statistics on this topic it would be very helpful. I don't really want to go to MIT for undergrad but I would love going there for graduate school.</p>
<p>The largest percentage of MIT grad students actually went to MIT for undergrad. About 20% of each graduating class goes directly on to MIT for a master’s or PhD, and more will come back after working for a few years. </p>
<p>To get into MIT as a grad student, you should go to a school for undergrad that will allow you to get to know your professors (who will then write you great letters of recommendation), succeed in high-level courses in your major, and do meaningful undergraduate research and/or internships.</p>
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<p>Additionally, be advised that the all too many recommendations writing “This is one of the greatest pleasures ever to teach and watch develop” may pale in comparison to one grouchy old accomplished professor’s words saying “Yeah yeah, this person isn’t the best or that amazing, but they’re probably better than anyone else you’ll find from their year [in the top notch school I teach at], just admit him/her”</p>
<p>^Yes, perhaps I should say “which will allow your professors to get to know you” – it’s not about whether your professors are your BFFs, it’s about whether they are able to discuss your academic ability and promise as a future scholar in your field. </p>
<p>It does help to have good relationships with professors, though, because trusted professors are an invaluable resource when it comes to deciding where to apply, and to giving the inside scuttlebutt on which of their colleagues are worth working for as a graduate student.</p>
<p>2 other common minor points: </p>
<p>a) While some schools do a lot of inbreeding (that is, students from their undergrad program in department X often get back into that department for grad school) in certain departments, they may do very much the opposite in others.</p>
<p>b) You’ll find that if you perform very academically well and show a lot of promise towards becoming a productive researcher, you can come from various backgrounds. It is important to be at a good school with challenging academics, good academic reputation in the field, etc, but beyond that, it’s surprisingly more important what you do than where you are for grad school’s sake.</p>
<p>In some areas of research, certain schools will simply offer you more to embellish your application with, whereas in say a theoretical field, any school with some top faculty can offer you that chance, since it’s all pen and paper work anyway, and the question of resources for undergraduates becomes less of an issue. The fact is that professors at any good school tend to be so accomplished that you’ll almost never (not unless you’re a real prodigy) run into the issue that there isn’t enough to challenge you at your level.</p>