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FAQ: Visitors

Given ongoing covid-19 developments, is mit still open to visitors.

As of summer 2022, visitors are welcome in outdoor spaces on campus and may enter non-residential campus buildings while escorted. See the visitors policy for full details.

Find virtual tours, online information sessions, and other details at the MIT Admissions website .

Where can I park?

Parking in Cambridge can be challenging: it’s both expensive and hard to find. See more about getting here and getting around

Is there a campus map online? 

Yes: you can view the interactive campus map . Please also review the visitors’ pages for additional information about planning a trip to MIT.

What is the nearest airport?

Logan International Airport serves the Boston area.

What is the nearest train (AMTRAK) station?

South Station, Boston , is the closest train station. South Station is served by the MBTA Red Line, which connects to MIT at the MIT/Kendall stop.

What is the nearest subway stop?

The Kendall Square/MIT stop on the MBTA Red Line is the closest subway. The MIT campus is also served by several bus routes; visit the MBTA website for times and schedules.

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MIT Visitors

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Welcome! 

To request a tour for a group of 6–50 people, please select a visit day from the calendar and fill out the form with your info. And that’s it! Your request will be reviewed by an admissions staff member and you will be contacted within 3–5 business days with an update on the status of your request. 

Please note that submitting a request is not a confirmation of your tour. We will email you with the status of your request.

Please note that all campus visitors are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated, including a booster shot for eligible individuals, unless they have a religious or medical exemption. All visitors to campus must follow  MIT’s Covid policies .

No walk-in availability:  All visitors must be pre-registered to attend Admissions programming. Walk-in visitors will be provided with a self-guided walking tour map. 

Private group fees:  Your group visit may incur a fee. If we are able to accommodate your request, we’ll send you an invoice with a link to a secure website to make your payment. Please note that we are only able to accept credit card payments through this website. Final confirmation of your tour will be sent after the payment has been received. 

There is no charge for U.S. school groups or nonprofits when reserved by a teacher or counselor. Cancellations and refunds   Cancellations must be received no later than two business days before your scheduled tour date in order to receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received within two business days of the scheduled tour date, or for groups who arrive late and are not able to be accommodated for their scheduled tour.  Full refunds will be offered in the case of an Institute-wide closure or a sick or otherwise unavailable tour guide.

Frequently asked questions

We have answered many of the most common questions in the sections below..

Because of the decentralized nature of graduate admissions, most of these questions are answered in general terms and may not apply to all departments.

For specific department requirements, please visit the  degree programs  pages. If you have additional questions, please email [email protected] .

General Questions

Can i enroll in a part-time degree.

In most cases, no. Students must enroll full time to complete the required course of study. Programs geared toward working professionals, such as the Executive MBA program, may have greater flexibility.

Can I earn a degree online?

No. While MIT does offer some online learning opportunities, such as the MicroMasters credential programs offered by MITx, degree-granting programs must be completed on campus.

Can I visit MIT? Do you offer graduate tours?

MIT Graduate Admissions does not offer a dedicated tour or information sessions. Graduate applicants interested in visiting should contact the department or program of interest directly to see if arrangements can be made for a campus visit.

If you are interested in visiting MIT, the  Institute Events  office has created useful information to help you plan your visit. The MIT Welcome Center also offers campus tours, which you may sign up for online.

Do you offer financial aid, scholarships, or other sources of funding?

Yes. Please visit our Costs & Funding  section for further details.

Do you offer conditional admissions?

No. Only applicants who have met all the necessary requirements are admitted. However, all offers of admissions do come with certain conditions, such as immigration requirements, satisfactory undergraduate degree completion, or the provision of official documents, such as transcripts, for verification.

Can I apply to more than one department?

Yes. Applicants may apply to more than one department as long as they meet all of the application requirements, pay the required application fees, and submit separate applications by the required deadlines for each program.

Can I apply if I am an undocumented student?

Yes. Applicants to MIT graduate programs who have undocumented status are eligible to apply as international students, based on the same policy explained under the Undocumented Student section of the main Admissions Office website.

Can I transfer to an MIT graduate program?

No. Applicants must apply through the regular admissions process.

If I have a PhD from another institution, can I apply for a second PhD at MIT?

In most cases, no. Instead, applicants are encouraged to seek other postdoctoral opportunities.

Can applicants apply with three-year bachelor degrees received from India, Australia, or other countries?

In most cases, yes. Departments may have additional requirements beyond a bachelor degree, however.

Application Process

More information on the process of applying may be found at the Applications section of this website. Please keep in mind that each graduate program has its own unique set of requirements and deadlines; applicants can find more details on the application process for each program at the Degree Programs directory.

How much is the application fee?

The standard application fee is $90 per program. The MIT Sloan School of Management may have fees that range between $95 and $250 per program.

Do you offer an application fee waiver?

Yes. We offer application fee waivers to applicants who meet our requirements. For further information, please visit the Application Fee Waiver page.

Do you offer an application refund if I am not eligible for admission, withdraw my application, or receive a late fee waiver?

No. We do not offer refunds for any reason. If a technical error occurs during the transaction process, please contact us for further assistance.

A fee waiver will not be retroactively applied to an application that has been submitted. If you believe you were charged more than once, please contact our office.

Do you charge a deposit to hold my offer of admission?

Deposit guidelines differ by program. The MIT Sloan School of Management charges a deposit to secure your spot, but the amount may vary. Most other departments do not charge a deposit.

Where can I view the status of my application?

Applicants should log into their online application to view the most up to date information available. Some programs may provide status update via email during the review process. Applicants should not email to request an application status update.

When will I receive my admissions decision?

Admissions timelines differ across departments.  Many programs notify applicants between January and March, though notification timeframes from the MIT Sloan School of Management may vary.

Can I submit my letters of recommendation via Interfolio?

The online application systems used by the majority of graduate programs, Slate or GradApply, do not support direct integration with Interfolio; please follow the instructions provided within the application to request letters of recommendation from your recommenders.  

Will my recommenders be notified to submit my letter of recommendation?

Applicants utilizing the Slate application portal will only need to provide the name and email address of your recommender(s); Slate will automatically request a letter of recommendation on your behalf. You should check in with your recommenders to make sure they have received the Slate request.  

Applicants applying to EECS, Political Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Economics are responsible for notifying recommenders by utilizing the notification emails and links provided in the GradApply application.  

Will my recommender be able to submit my recommendation after the application deadline has passed?

Letters of recommendation are due prior to submitting. Program policies regarding late letters of recommendation submission vary. Please contact the program(s) to which you are applying for more information.  

Can I use the same login that I used in a previous year?

Applicants applying through Slate can reuse their login information from one year to the next.  

Applicants applying through GradApply must create a new username and login each year. Materials from your previous application will not be transferred. 

Standardized Tests

More information regarding the Institute’s exam requirements for graduate admission may be found on the Standardized Tests webpage.

Does MIT accept the Duolingo English Test?

MIT Graduate Admissions does not accept Duolingo English Test scores to meet the language proficiency requirement. Applicants must submit official scores from the IELTS Academic exam, TOEFL iBT exam, or the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency exams from Cambridge English. (Please note that the Cambridge English Qualification exams are only accepted by select departments, not all.)

Is there a preference for IELTS or TOEFL scores?

Most departments prefer IELTS exam scores. Please contact the program to which you wish to apply to confirm their requirements for English language proficiency exams.

Is there a deadline for me to submit official test scores?

It varies. Some departments may begin the review process using unofficial self-reported scores, while other departments may wait until all materials have been received. Please contact the program to which you wish to apply to confirm their application requirements.

Is the GRE required? Can I receive a waiver for the GRE?

Some departments no longer require official GRE scores for admission. However, if the GRE is required by the department, applicants cannot receive a waiver. Please confirm the GRE policy with the department or program that interests you.

Can I receive a waiver for the English language proficiency exam requirement?

It varies. Some departments may offer a language proficiency waiver if you meet certain requirements. Please visit the  Degree Programs page for further details on standardized test policies for each of our graduate programs.

If I apply to multiple programs, do I need to submit standardized test scores to each department separately?

No. Test scores are matched to your application electronically based on your name; department codes do not impact this matching process.

If you submit multiple applications, each program to which you applied will have access to your official test scores, with the exception of applications to the MIT Sloan School of Management. Test scores must be submitted to MIT Sloan separately.

Additional Questions

Can i apply for research internships.

No; research invitations are reserved for visiting students only. Please visit our section on Visiting Students to learn about potential opportunities.

Will special consideration be given to the academic disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic?

In response to the challenges of teaching, learning, and assessing academic performance during the global Covid-19 pandemic, MIT has adopted the following principle:

MIT's admissions committees and offices for graduate and professional schools will take the significant disruptions of the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020 into account when reviewing students' transcripts and other admissions materials as part of their regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant. In particular, as we review applications now and in the future, we will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/No Record (or Credit/No Credit or Pass/Fail) and other grading options during the period of Covid-19 disruptions, whether those decisions were made by institutions or by individual students. We also expect that the individual experiences of applicants will richly inform applications and, as such, they will be considered with the entirety of a student's record.

Ultimately, even in these challenging times, our goal remains to form graduate student cohorts that are collectively excellent and composed of outstanding individuals who will challenge and support one another.

Questions or concerns about this statement should be directed to the academic department or program to which you have applied.

Where can I learn more about the MIT Graduate Student Union?

On April 4-5, 2022, MIT’s RAs, TAs, and Instructor Gs voted to be represented by the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE) for the purposes of negotiating wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. MIT leadership is committed to negotiating in good faith and to supporting all students, regardless of whether they are in the union. You can read more at the Graduate Student Unionization website .

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How to Get Into MIT: 5 Expert Admissions Tips

College Admissions , College Info

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the best schools in the world. If you want to be one of the few students accepted into MIT every year, you'll need to make sure your application is up to snuff.

In this article, we'll break down exactly how to get into MIT, from the test scores you need to the tips and tricks that'll help your application stand out.

How Hard Is It to Get Into MIT?

MIT is one of the most selective schools in the world. Currently, MIT's acceptance rate is 4.1%, which means it only accepts around 4 applicants for every 100 people that apply.

A 4.1% acceptance rate means that MIT is extremely competitive to get into. You'll need excellent grades, test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation to even be considered.

What Is MIT Looking for in Its Students?

You can learn a lot about what MIT is looking for in its students from the university's website :

"The MIT community is driven by a shared purpose: to make a better world through education, research, and innovation. We are fun and quirky, elite but not elitist, inventive and artistic, obsessed with numbers, and welcoming to talented people regardless of where they come from."

This statement, while not MIT's formal mission statement ( which is worth reading, too ), tells a lot about what MIT is looking for in its applicants.

MIT want students who break molds —they're incredibly intelligent, but they also think outside of the box. Don't follow everyone else's path if you want to get into MIT—create your own.

MIT students are genuinely excited to learn and innovate. They're not interested in accolades (though they certainly earn them)— they're motivated by discovery and intellectual stimulation more than recognition.

MIT students don't fit into any particular profile, except that they're all highly, highly talented.

Can You Apply to MIT Early?

MIT allows students to apply early action. That means that you can apply to MIT and receive notification of your acceptance months before other students, but you don't have to commit to MIT if you're accepted.

MIT's early application deadline is November 1 and students are notified in mid-December.

According to the MIT admissions statistics for the Class of 2026, applicants who applied early action had a fairly significant advantage over students who applied at the regular deadline (a 4.7% acceptance rate for early action applicants vs a 2.2% acceptance rate for regular action applicants + those whose early action applications were deferred). 

MIT Application Deadlines and Requirements

MIT has its own application. It doesn't accept the Common Application, Coalition Application or Universal Application. To complete the MIT application you'll need to submit:

• SAT or ACT scores
• Four short essays
• Two letters of recommendation, one from a math or science teacher and one from a humanities, social science, or language teacher
• Your high school transcript, though are no specific coursework requirements for MIT applicants

The MIT Early Action deadline is November 1 . Applicants are notified of their status in mid-December.

The MIT regular admission deadline is January 5 . Applicants are notified of their status in mid-March.

What GPA Do I Need to Get Into MIT?

MIT has a very low acceptance rate, so it's important that your application is as strong as possible to be considered. One of the most important parts of your MIT application is your high school coursework.

MIT doesn't specify a minimum GPA requirement and doesn't release the average GPA of admitted applicants. (The school does provide other admissions statistics like average test scores .) That being said, due to the caliber of students accepted at MIT, we can assume that the average GPA is quite high . You should look to get mainly As, with a high few Bs on your transcript.

MIT will also be paying attention to your course load—are you challenging yourself, or are you coasting on easy classes? You should take the most rigorous classes your school offers —whether that's honors, AP, or IB courses—or even look into taking courses at the local community college to show that you're not afraid of an academic challenge… and that you can succeed at one, too!

What Test Scores Do I Need to Get Into MIT?

You don't just need great grades to get into MIT—you need great test scores, too. Let's take a closer look at what scores you need to get into MIT.

What SAT Test Scores Do I Need to Get Into MIT?

The middle 50% of MIT applicants earn between a 1510 and a 1580 on a 1600 SAT scale. In other words, 75% of admitted students score above a 1510 on the SAT. Put another way, you'll need get as close to a perfect score as possible to make sure you're putting yourself in a good position to get in (if you choose to submit test scores).

If you do submit test scores, you'll need to have extremely high SAT scores to be able to get into MIT. Fortunately, MIT uses "Highest Section" scoring (also known as " superscoring "). Basically, superscoring means that MIT will consider your highest section scores across all the SAT test dates you submit.

MIT's superscoring policy is good news for applicants—it means that you can prep and retake the score without worrying about hurting your previous scores. If you're wondering how many times you can (or should!) take the SAT, be sure to check out this article .

What ACT Test Scores Do I Need to Get Into MIT?

It's no surprise that admitted students have high ACT scores, too. The top 75% of admitted students score a 34 or above on the ACT. With so many applicants scoring 34 and above, a lower score won't be very impressive.

Fortunately, MIT also superscores ACT scores for applicants. That means that, if you take the ACT multiple times, MIT will consider the highest score achieved in each section. You can learn more about taking the ACT multiple times here.

Do I Need TOEFL Scores to Get Into MIT?

Non-native English speakers are encouraged (but not required) to submit scores from an English proficiency exam . MIT accepts the following tests, with the given minimum and recommended scores.

MIT Application Essays

MIT requires that you answer a few short questions , rather than write one long essay. You'll need to answer four short prompts (each answer should be roughly 200 words ) on various aspects of your life: a description of your background, what department you're interested in at MIT, what you do for fun, a way that you contribute to your community, and a challenge that you have faced in your life.

The MIT essay prompts are designed specifically to get to the heart of what makes you...well, you . Remember, MIT wants applicants that are interesting as people. MIT places a high value on having students with quirks and unique passions, not just high test scores.

You'll submit your MIT application essays along with an activities list and a self-reported coursework form as Part 2 of your MIT application, regardless of whether you're applying for the early action deadline or the regular admission deadline.

Here are the 2022-2023 MIT essay prompts:

• 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.
• Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?
• MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community.
• Tell us about a significant challenge you’ve faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

You can learn more about how to ace your MIT essays in our in-depth article on the topic .

5 Tips for Getting Into MIT

It's very difficult to get into MIT, but it's not impossible. MIT admits around 1,400 students a year, and you can definitely be one of them! Follow these tips for how to get into MIT by making sure your application stands out from the crowd.

#1: Highlight the Unique Aspects of Your Identity

We've said it already and we'll say it again: MIT likes unique applicants. They say so on their website! Your essays are an opportunity to highlight the special facets of your personality. If you built a video game about pickles for fun, this is the time to share it!

The more unique you are, the better! Your application will stand out even more if you take those interests and apply them to academic pursuits. Show that your academic curiosity intersects with your passions.

#2: Put a Lot of Effort Into Your Academics

MIT students are high-achievers. To be accepted, you need to be one, too. You should have a strong plan for studying for the SAT or ACT so that you achieve the best score possible.

If you're still in your freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school, plan to take some advanced classes to up your GPA. You'll need to be disciplined and work hard to compete with the other applicants.

MIT wants students who will succeed on their campus—you need to demonstrate that you're up to MIT's academic challenge.

#3: Ace Your Essays

Your essays are the best opportunity to show off your skills and your unique interests. You should put a lot of effort into every one of the five MIT essays. Don't wait until the last minute to write your MIT essays—start them with plenty of time so that you can revise and receive feedback.

Keep in mind that while there are no right ways to write an admissions essay, there are definitely some wrong ones! Be sure to check out this article before you get started so you can avoid any pitfalls.

#4: Convince MIT That You'll Do Something Great With Your Education

MIT doesn't want to admit students who will be content to take their expensive diploma and sit at home doing nothing with it. MIT wants to accept students who are going to accomplish world-changing things, who contribute positively to their communities while in college, and who help other students accomplish great things as well.

The best way to convince MIT that you'll do this while there? Contribute positively to your community while you're in high school. Past behavior is a predictor of future behavior. If you show that positive contributions are a part of your modus operandi as a student, MIT will feel confident that you'll bring that attitude to its campus, too.

#5: Hyper-Focus

You don't need to be captain of the football team, the co-chair of the debate team, and the first chair violinist in the school orchestra to get into MIT. Don't try to be great at every—pick one (or two) activities and pursue it relentlessly.

This is called having a spike and helps you stand out more. Don't aim to be generically good at a lot of things—be hugely, amazingly good at one thing.

Instead of trying to lead twenty different committees, pick the one that's the most special to you and give it everything you have. Put down the football and the debate notecards and focus on violin if that's what you love. Audition for world-class ensembles, enter competitions, basically just stand out.

Don't strive for above average at a lot of things—be excellent at one.

What's Next?

Starting your MIT application? Check out our in-depth guide on how to apply to MIT .

Your MIT essays will help your application stand out. Read our in-depth guide on these five short answer questions to know exactly what to do .

Wondering what your chances of getting into an Ivy Leave or Ivy League caliber school is? Check out our complete guide to Ivy League acceptance rates.

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Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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How to Get Into MIT

To get into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), you will need to have a near-perfect high school GPA, top scores on your ACT or SAT and the types of extracurricular activities that allow you to demonstrate your commitment and leadership abilities. You will also need to be able to write an essay that tells a compelling story about you and your thoughts while also showing your exceptional writing skills.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Facts

Motto: Mens et Manus (Mind and Hand) Established: 1861 School Type: Private Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts Athletics: NCAA Division III Nickname: Engineers Website: web.mit.edu

MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it is regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. While it is famous for its programs in the physical sciences and engineering, its other programs are also quite competitive. Graduates of MIT are leaders in many different industries and are some of the brightest minds today. The university counts 96 Nobel laureates, eight Fields medalists, and 26 Turing Award winners among its alumni, staff, and faculty. Companies that have been founded by MIT alumnae enjoy annual revenues of more than $1.9 trillion as of 2014. Together, these 30,000 companies founded by MIT alumni employ an estimated 4.6 million people.

Want to know how to get into MIT? To assist you as you think about whether MIT is the right fit for you, following are several frequently asked questions (FAQ) about how to get into the prestigious school.

What GPA Do I Need to Get Into MIT?

If you want to know how to get into MIT, strive to earn the best grades you can while taking the most difficult courses your high school offers. The university doesn’t have a minimum GPA threshold and states that competitive applicants typically have GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

However, in its most recent Common Data Set for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, MIT reports that 97% of the admitted class were in the top 10% of their graduating high school classes and 100% were in the top quarter. MIT is one of the most competitive universities in the US. To get in, it’s best to graduate with a perfect or near-perfect GPA while taking the most rigorous courses offered at your high school.

While MIT and other top schools state that they use a holistic process and consider more than your grades, you should understand that the school’s holistic process is primarily used for students who are high-achievers and who have earned top grades in high school. This makes it important for you to strive to secure As in all of your courses, including courses that you don’t enjoy.

If you are already a junior or senior, you do not have much time to increase your GPA. This makes it important for you to score as well as you can on the SAT or ACT to make up for any issues with your GPA. Again, getting As in advanced courses is better than getting As in easy classes that do not challenge you.

If you are enrolled in a course that you find particularly difficult, get help from a tutor as early in the semester as possible. With help, you might rise to the challenge and score a much better grade than you might think possible. Along the way, you might also develop an interest in the course that you didn’t previously have.

Use a scheduler to plan times to study for each class. You can check your schedule to see what you need to do and when to do it. This can help you to keep on track as you work to achieve the highest grades that you possibly can.

What SAT or ACT Scores Do I Need to Get Into MIT?

MIT accepts both the SAT and ACT and doesn’t have a preference for one test over the other. Whichever one you take, you’ll need to achieve the highest possible scores you can. According to MIT’s admissions statistics for the Class of 2027 , admitted students earned the following scores:

• SAT Math – 800 at the 75th percentile
• SAT Math – 780 at the 25th percentile
• SAT EBRW – 780 at the 75th percentile
• SAT EBRW – 740 at the 25th percentile
• ACT Composite – 36 at the 75th percentile
• ACT Composite – 34 at the 25th percentile
• ACT Math – 36 at the 75th percentile
• ACT Math – 35 at the 25th percentile
• ACT Science – 36 at the 75th percentile
• ACT Science – 34 at the 25th percentile
• ACT English – 36 at the 75th percentile
• ACT English – 34 at the 25th percentile
• ACT Reading – 36 at the 75th percentile
• ACT Reading – 34 at the 25th percentile

The SAT has a maximum total score of 1600, which is comprised of the SAT Math + SAT EBRW. The SAT has a maximum composite score of 36. As the admissions statistics for the most recent entering class demonstrate, you need to achieve nearly perfect scores on whichever test you choose to take.

It is possible to obtain a higher SAT or ACT score through preparation. Start as early as possible taking practice tests under circumstances that are similar to what you might expect during the actual test. Time yourself, and see how you do. Consider working with a test preparation tutor or counselor for tips on how to improve your scores. If you continue practicing, you might achieve a higher score.

Figure out which standardized test to use. Some students do better on the SAT while others do better on the ACT. MIT accepts scores from either test and does not favor one over the other. The timing of the tests might be important. The SAT includes a total of 154 multiple-choice questions to complete during a testing window of three hours. The ACT includes a total of 215 questions to complete during a testing window of two hours and 55 minutes. This means that you will have approximately one minute and 10 seconds to answer each question on the SAT and 49 seconds to answer each question on the ACT.

The SAT includes three tests while the ACT includes four tests. Both the SAT and the ACT also have an optional essay test. The SAT includes a reading test, a writing and language test, and a math test. The ACT includes a reading test, an English test, a math test, and a science test.

Picking the test that you will take early is important. This will give you more time to prepare for the test of your choice. Once you become familiar with the exam, you can identify your areas of weakness. This allows you to concentrate on your weaker areas so that you can achieve score improvements in those sections.

Start taking the test of your choice in your junior year of high school. This provides you with more opportunities to improve your score by taking the test multiple times. Both tests offer fee waivers if your family’s income is lower, helping to defray the costs.

Students with certain disabilities might be eligible for extended test-taking time. For example, if you have a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder or ADHD and need more time to take tests, you might be able to secure more time to take the SAT or ACT. However, getting approval for extended test-taking time is not automatic and will require you to provide diagnostic information and recommendations from a professional and your school. Simply having a diagnosis is not enough. Instead, you must be able to demonstrate a true need for additional time on the test that you take. You also have to request the accommodation early, so sign up for the ACT or SAT as soon as the application window opens for the date that you want.

Finally, while the essay portion of the SAT or ACT is optional, you should choose to take the essay test. Providing more information about you to MIT can help you. If you choose not to take the essay, the admissions officers will have less information on which to base their decisions.

Is MIT Test-Optional?

While many selective schools adopted test-optional policies because of the pandemic, MIT only suspended its policy for the 2020/2021 admissions cycle. It then reinstated its testing requirement in 2022. According to its current standardized test policy , you must take and submit scores from either the SAT or ACT to be considered for admission to MIT. It does not require the optional ACT writing or SAT essay, however.

Do I Need to Take AP Courses to Get Into MIT?

MIT does not require you to take courses beyond what is offered at your high school. However, if your school offers the advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses, you should take them. Taking these courses helps to show MIT that you are willing to challenge yourself by taking difficult classes.

Some high schools do not offer advanced placement classes , and MIT understands that. If your school does not offer AP courses, take the honors curriculum and work to achieve the highest scores possible in every class. To demonstrate that you are willing to challenge yourself, you can also take courses at your local community college or university while you are in high school.

While AP and IB classes allow you to take the end-of-course exams for college credit, MIT generally does not accept the credit from these tests. The school wants all of its incoming freshmen to start at MIT on equal footing. However, MIT does grant credit for specific AP tests on which you score a five. You can look at the list of credit policies at MIT for different AP exams and scores on the school’s website. Each department at MIT establishes its credit policies for AP and IB tests. For a list of the credit policies for IB exams , you can look at the list on the school’s website.

If you are accepted to MIT and want to skip beyond some of the entry-level courses, you have the option of taking advanced standing exams. An advanced standing exam at MIT is similar to taking the final exam for the course. If you score well on the ASE, the score will serve as your grade in the class. If you do poorly, you can take the class, and the ASE score will disappear from your record at MIT.

Some high schools offer dual credit courses that give you credit at both your high school and at a community college or university. If you have taken dual credit courses and have earned college credits before you begin your studies at MIT, the departments will review the information about your courses to determine whether transfer credit will be granted.

To request a review of your transfer credit , you will need to submit the following information:

• Your college transcript
• Catalog description of each course with the syllabus, the textbook used, the chapters that were covered, and the number of hours that you were credited
• Request for additional credit form

Even if you might not receive credit from MIT for your AP, IB, or dual credit courses, it is still a good idea for you to take them if they are available to you. Taking challenging courses demonstrates that you are ready to tackle what lies ahead when you attend MIT.

Do I Need to Take SAT Subject Tests to Get Into MIT?

MIT previously required students to submit at least two SAT subject exam scores with their applications. However, the College Board did away with SAT subject tests in 2021, so this is no longer a requirement. If you did sit for SAT subject exams before 2021, you can report your scores on the test scores section of your application.

What Should I Write About in My Personal Statement to Get into MIT?

MIT does not ask students to write a single long essay. Instead, the school asks applicants to complete several short-answer essays. There is no formula of what you should include, but MIT does not want you to use your essays simply to list your accomplishments. Write about something that inspires you, and use the opportunity to show the school that you are a thoughtful person who the admissions office should want on MIT’s campus. The personal statement is something that many students dread, and students who are applying to MIT are no exception. You should never submit the same essay to multiple schools. Each essay should be tailored to the institution to which you apply. You should view your application essay as a chance to show the admissions officers at MIT who you are and why they should want you to become a part of the school’s community as a student.

Selective schools like MIT receive countless applications from high-achieving students who have attained top grades and test scores. Your essay allows you to stand out. You should not simply list your accomplishments in high school in your essay. The admissions officers will want to learn more about who you are and what makes you tick. Your essay should tell the unique story of you, your background, and how you became the person you are today. Writing the essay will take a lot of work, but it is well worth it. Many students make the mistake of attempting to sound smart instead of like themselves. Do not toss in huge words that sound unnatural. Don’t let your parents write your essay for you. Admissions officers can tell when parents write essays for their children, and it will harm your chances rather than help them.

Writing your essay for MIT will require you to write multiple drafts. After each draft, have someone you trust to look over it for you. Continue honing your essay until you shine through compellingly. Don’t rely on your parents to look over your essay. While they will certainly want to read it, your parents are biased for you. Let someone who can look at it with a critical eye review it for you such as an English teacher at your high school or your guidance counselor.

How selective is MIT?

Thousands of students apply to MIT each year. The school is among the most selective in the U.S. For the class of 2023 , MIT reports that 21,312 students applied, and the school accepted just 1,427 for an overall first-year admissions rate of 6.7%. Out of the total number of applicants, 9,600 students submitted early action applications. Out of the early action applicants, 707 were admitted, and 6,350 were deferred to the regular action process. Of the students who were deferred to the regular action from the early action process, 190 were admitted to MIT.

There were a total of 11,712 students who applied to MIT through the regular action process. Including the 6,350 who were deferred from early action to regular action, a total of 18,062 applicants were considered during regular action, and 720 were admitted. Another 460 students were offered places on the waitlist. Ultimately, 17 of the wait-listed students were admitted to MIT for the class of 2023.

These statistics demonstrate just how difficult it is to gain admission to this highly selective school. According to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges Rankings for 2020 , MIT is tied for third with Columbia University and Yale University for national universities in the U.S. This means that MIT is one of the very best schools in the nation, leading many students to dream of getting in. Given the school’s ranking and selectivity, you must prepare if getting into MIT is what you dream about for your future.

What Does MIT Look for In Students?

MIT admissions officials use a holistic process when they evaluate applicants. Your grades and test scores are highly important, but they are not definitive as far as your ability to get accepted to MIT. You will still need to have top grades and test scores. However, MIT also searches for applicants who are innovative, creative, and who enjoy working with teams of others to solve problems. On its website, MIT states that the key factor that its admissions officials look for is whether MIT is a good match for an applicant.

The school identifies several components that it considers when determining whether an applicant is a good fit for MIT or not, including the following:

• Alignment with the school’s mission
• Spirit of cooperation and collaboration
• Taking initiative
• Willingness to take risks
• Being hands-on with creative thinking
• Being passionate, curious, and excited about what you pursue
• Ability to enhance the character of the community at MIT
• Ability to make balance a priority

What Extracurricular Activities Do I Need to Get into MIT?

You should not view your extracurricular activity choices in high school as things that will simply look good to MIT. Instead, the school is more interested in students who actively pursue activities about which they have true passions. The admissions office recommends that students participate in extracurricular activities that truly delight them rather than trying to figure out what activities might appeal to MIT. You should pursue one or more extracurricular activities that you continue with throughout high school. Many students have the mistaken idea that they need to spread themselves thin and try to participate in as many different activities as possible to demonstrate that they are well-rounded. Schools like MIT are not searching to find well-rounded students. Instead, MIT is looking for students who show high levels of intelligence combined with singular talent in the areas of their interest.

On its admissions mission page , MIT emphasizes its commitment to the public interest. The school wants to find leaders and innovators who are dedicated to making life better for the good of everyone. The school accepts top students from all backgrounds to further its institutional goals. MIT points interested students to a book written in 1966 by B. Alden Thresher titled “College Admissions in the Public Interest.” This book is informative about MIT’s philosophy on the admissions process and is well worth the read. It is available in PDF format on the internet here .

Your extracurricular activities should also be used to demonstrate that you have leadership skills. When you join clubs, try to secure leadership positions in them. Don’t be afraid to run for an office in your club. If your school does not have a club in your interest area, talk to the administration about starting your own. You will likely find that there are several other students at your high school who would enjoy participating in a club that you create. Starting your own club also allows you to show your initiative and your leadership skills. If you start high school with the singular goal of gaining admission to MIT, you should recognize that the school accepts a very small percentage of the students who apply. You should instead focus on being the best student and person that you can be and in gaining a better understanding of who you are and what you enjoy. If you focus on bettering yourself rather than simply gaining admission to MIT, you might make yourself a more attractive applicant when the time comes to submit your applications.

What enrichment opportunities will help me get into MIT?

There are many enrichment activities in math and science that you can participate in to prepare yourself for the rigors of studying at MIT. Enrichment opportunities also provide you with the ability to meet other like-minded students who also love science and math so that you can forge friendships that could last a lifetime. MIT has a list of enrichment opportunities both at MIT and through competitions that you might consider. MIT also offers several selective residential summer programs that might allow you to gain hands-on education on the campus of MIT. Even if you are unable to attend a summer program at MIT, you can take advantage of similar programs in your state to advance your knowledge in math and science.

Will visiting MIT help me get in?

Possibly. Visiting MIT and learning about the school could give you an advantage. In addition to meeting current students, you will more material for your essays that will demonstrate you have researched the school and why you are a good fit. If you can, visit MIT during one of the school’s scheduled visiting days. You can participate in a campus tour and information session and sign up to attend a class. Visiting MIT allows you to show that you are interested in the school. Like other elite universities, MIT wants students who have a strong desire to attend, and visiting is one way to express your interest. Visiting the campus can also allow you to determine whether the feel of MIT is right for you.

If you are unable to travel to Cambridge to visit MIT, MIT’s admissions officers travel each fall to hold information sessions around the U.S. and the world. Check their website to find a session that is close to you.

Does MIT accept the common application?

No. While some schools participate in the Common Application, MIT does not. The application for MIT must be completed and submitted through MIT’s website. You can register and start the process here . The application is designed to be completed online. You can scan in supplemental materials. If you need to do so, you can also submit them via fax at 617-687-9184. MIT prefers that you do not mail in supplemental documents. However, if you cannot avoid mailing documents, you can send them to the following address:

MIT Undergraduate Admissions Processing Center P.O. Box 404 Randolph, MA 02368

MIT asks several short answer questions on its application. Take your time answering each question. Double-check your grammar and spelling, and answer every question thoughtfully within the requested maximum number of words. Before you click submit, it is a good idea to print out your application and have a teacher or college admissions counselor look over it with you. That gives you a chance to get input from others so that you can revise your answers as necessary.

What are MIT’s deadlines?

MIT has two application processes, including early action and regular action. Applying through early action does not increase your chances of gaining admission to MIT. However, it does demonstrate that you are very interested in attending MIT. You must pay attention to the application deadlines whether you plan to apply by early or regular action. If you plan to apply via the early action process, your application materials must be submitted no later than November 1. Your deadline for taking the ACT or SAT will also be the November test date. Early action applicants will receive their decisions by mid-December.

If you plan to apply to MIT by the regular action process, your application materials will be due no later than Jan. 1. The deadline for your ACT or SAT will be the December test date. Regular action and deferred action applicants will be notified of whether they have been accepted during the regular action process by April 1.

MIT states that it does not have a preference for early action or regular action . The school also does not limit you to applying only to MIT during the early action process, which means that you can apply to other schools through their early action processes as well. However, MIT stresses that if another school’s early action process is a single-choice school, you should respect that. For example, if you apply to a school that states that early action students must attend its school if accepted, MIT expects you to attend that school even if both MIT and the other school accept your application.

Who should I ask to write my MIT letters of recommendation?

You will need to ask for two letters of recommendation. You will not be able to read these letters, so you should choose who to ask to write them wisely. Refrain from asking someone who does not truly know who you are to recommend you to MIT. For example, it may be better to ask your calculus teacher to write a letter of recommendation to MIT for you than to ask your local congressional representative to do so. MIT specifically requires you to have two teachers submit letters of recommendation, and the school also wants additional information from your guidance counselor. The two teacher letters must be from a science or math teacher and a teacher in the humanities, languages, or social sciences. You should choose teachers who know you well as both a student and a person. The letters of recommendation are submitted online. You can learn more about the process here .

Does MIT require an interview?

Sometimes. MIT is unable to interview all applicants. If you are chosen for an interview, you will be notified by email. Respond to the email promptly to schedule a time and day to meet with your interviewer. If you are not interviewed, that does not mean that you will not be accepted to MIT. It simply means that there are a limited number of interviewers and thousands of applicants, so not everyone can be interviewed who applies.

The interviews are not conducted on campus. If you are chosen for an interview, you will be interviewed at a location in your area at which you and the MIT representative agree to meet.

MIT has a network of 5,000 MIT graduates located around the U.S. and world who conduct interviews with some of the applicants to MIT. This is because the school wants to know more about you beyond what you submit in your application and supplemental materials. If you are chosen for an interview, you will receive an email. Respond to this email promptly. Interviews are conducted in your area at a location that both you and the interviewer agree to. Common examples include coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, or book stores. It is sometimes possible to arrange an interview via Skype.

Do not overdress for your interview, but don’t look like a slob. Think business casual. The interview is normally not a formal event. Instead, dress for the location at which your interview will be held. Read blogs about the MIT interview and talk to others who have gone through it to get an idea of some of the questions that you might be asked. Think about your answers and practice. Do not bring your parents to your interview, and make certain to arrive early. It does not look good to bring a parent to an interview with an MIT representative or to keep him or her waiting. Show up early, be friendly, and be prepared.

Be yourself in the interview. The importance of authenticity cannot be overstated. If you try to pretend to be someone you are not, your chances of being admitted to MIT will decrease. You want to be accepted for who you are. Trying to put forward an image of someone you are not will be a disservice to you.

How much does it cost to attend MIT?

According to MIT, the total cost of attendance for the 2019/2020 school year is $73,160 . However, this is the cost before financial aid has been subtracted. MIT is dedicated to helping students from all backgrounds to afford the cost of attendance. For example, 59% of MIT undergraduate students receive an MIT scholarship, which does not have to be repaid. For the 2018 to 2019 school year, the average MIT scholarship was $47,593. To apply for the MIT scholarship, you will need to apply for financial aid and complete the CSS profile. Low-income first-year students are also able to secure a $2,000 grant to help pay for things that they will need as they transition to life at MIT such as towels or a coat.

You can also apply for federal student aid by completing the FAFSA. There are also thousands of scholarship opportunities available for which you can apply to cut down the costs of attending MIT.

While getting accepted into MIT is exceptionally difficult, it is possible to do so if you have the right help. You must also be willing to do your best in your classes and to thoroughly prepare for your standardized tests. The team at Going Ivy has a successful track record of helping many students with gaining admission to MIT as well as to other elite institutions.

What can I do in high school to increase the chances I get into MIT?

Some of the actionable steps that you can take in high school to increase your chances of gaining admission to MIT include the following:

• Work hard to get top grades.
• Take advanced placement courses to increase your GPA if your school uses weighted GPAs.
• Take advanced courses even if your school doesn’t weight GPAs.
• Complete at least the courses MIT recommends, but be willing to go beyond the list.
• Be kind to others and participate in public service projects.
• Choose extracurricular activities wisely while focusing on quality instead of quantity.
• Participate in enrichment activities and research opportunities.
• Study for the SAT or ACT regularly and take practice tests with a focus on improving your score.
• Consider getting help from a tutor in subjects that are difficult for you.
• Start the application process early.
• Write an essay for MIT that is focused on MIT rather than a generic essay that you use for all applications.
• Remember to schedule time for yourself to do the things that you love.
• Above all, be yourself.

When you look at this list, an underlying theme is an importance of getting organized. Writing an action plan with measurable steps can help you to work toward your goal of gaining admission to MIT as well as your goal of becoming the best person that you can be. Writing a plan with actionable steps can also help you to stay on track and to see your progress as you work toward achieving your goals. It can be exciting to check off the boxes as you make progress and to look back to see everything that you have achieved. Developing good organizational skills can also help you to manage your time more effectively so that you can stay on track.

The team at Going Ivy is made up of graduates of the most selective schools in the nation. An elite college admissions preparation company, Going Ivy has helped many students with getting admitted into MIT, Stanford and the schools that make up the Ivy League. This page was created to help you understand how to get into MIT. To learn more about the help that Going Ivy can offer, schedule your free consultation today.

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Where to stay

The Greater Boston area offers a wide variety of options for overnight accommodations.

• Accommodations in the Boston area can be pricey, and depending on when you visit, very hard to find. In particular, please be advised that the months of May and June constitute Commencement season in eastern Massachusetts, so hotels and restaurants are especially busy during that time. Other busy times include the weekend prior to the  Boston Marathon  (annually on the third Monday in April) and the days surrounding the  Head of the Charles Regatta  (annually in October).
• We strongly advise reserving your accommodations before arriving.
• Refer to  this map of hotels in the greater area  and the list of preferred hotels nearest to campus;  bed and breakfasts are another option. Please note that MIT does not guarantee any of these accommodations—this information is provided for reference only.
• Many of the accommodations in Boston and Cambridge are accessible by the  MBTA subway system .
• For information about living on or off campus while studying at MIT, visit  MIT Housing .

Map of area hotels

Preferred hotels

MIT has several preferred hotels in the campus area, three of which are in Kendall Square*.

Boston Marriott Cambridge * 2 Cambridge Center Cambridge, MA 02142 Phone: 617-494-6600  Toll-free: 800-228-9290

Courtyard Boston Cambridge by Marriott 777 Memorial Drive Cambridge MA 02139 Phone: 617-492-7777 Toll-free: 866-323-4149

Fairfield Inn and Suites Boston Cambridge 215 Monsignor O’Brien Highway Cambridge, MA  02141 Phone: 617-621-1999

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Boston Cambridge 250 Monsignor O’Brien Highway Cambridge, MA 02141 Phone: 617-577-7600

Hotel Commonwealth 500 Commonwealth Avenue Boston MA 02215 Toll-free: 866-784-4000

Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge 575 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: 617-492-1234 Toll-free: 800-228-9000

The Kendall Hotel * 350 Main Street Cambridge, MA 02142 Phone: 617-577-1300

Kimpton Marlowe Hotel 25 Edwin Land Boulevard Cambridge, MA 02141 Phone: 617-868-8000 Toll-free: 800-825-7140

Le Meridien Boston Cambridge 20 Sidney Street  Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: 617-577-0200 Toll-free: 800-543-4300

Residence Inn Boston Cambridge * 6 Cambridge Center Cambridge, MA 02142 Phone: 617-494-1885 Toll-free: 800-331-3131

Royal Sonesta Boston 40 Edwin Land Boulevard Cambridge, MA 02141 Phone: 617-806-4200

The Whitney Hotel 170 Charles Street Boston, MA 02114 Toll-free: 888-673-3650

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MIT study explains why laws are written in an incomprehensible style

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Legal documents are notoriously difficult to understand, even for lawyers. This raises the question: Why are these documents written in a style that makes them so impenetrable?

MIT cognitive scientists believe they have uncovered the answer to that question. Just as “magic spells” use special rhymes and archaic terms to signal their power, the convoluted language of legalese acts to convey a sense of authority, they conclude.

In a study appearing this week in the journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , the researchers found that even non-lawyers use this type of language when asked to write laws.

“People seem to understand that there’s an implicit rule that this is how laws should sound, and they write them that way,” says Edward Gibson, an MIT professor of brain and cognitive sciences and the senior author of the study.

Eric Martinez PhD ’24 is the lead author of the study. Francis Mollica, a lecturer at the University of Melbourne, is also an author of the paper .

Casting a legal spell

Gibson’s research group has been studying the unique characteristics of legalese since 2020, when Martinez came to MIT after earning a law degree from Harvard Law School. In a 2022 study , Gibson, Martinez, and Mollica analyzed legal contracts totaling about 3.5 million words, comparing them with other types of writing, including movie scripts, newspaper articles, and academic papers.

That analysis revealed that legal documents frequently have long definitions inserted in the middle of sentences — a feature known as “center-embedding.” Linguists have previously found that this kind of structure can make text much more difficult to understand.

“Legalese somehow has developed this tendency to put structures inside other structures, in a way which is not typical of human languages,” Gibson says.

In a follow-up study published in 2023, the researchers found that legalese also makes documents more difficult for lawyers to understand. Lawyers tended to prefer plain English versions of documents, and they rated those versions to be just as enforceable as traditional legal documents.

“Lawyers also find legalese to be unwieldy and complicated,” Gibson says. “Lawyers don’t like it, laypeople don’t like it, so the point of this current paper was to try and figure out why they write documents this way.”

The researchers had a couple of hypotheses for why legalese is so prevalent. One was the “copy and edit hypothesis,” which suggests that legal documents begin with a simple premise, and then additional information and definitions are inserted into already existing sentences, creating complex center-embedded clauses.

“We thought it was plausible that what happens is you start with an initial draft that’s simple, and then later you think of all these other conditions that you want to include. And the idea is that once you’ve started, it’s much easier to center-embed that into the existing provision,” says Martinez, who is now a fellow and instructor at the University of Chicago Law School.

However, the findings ended up pointing toward a different hypothesis, the so-called “magic spell hypothesis.” Just as magic spells are written with a distinctive style that sets them apart from everyday language, the convoluted style of legal language appears to signal a special kind of authority, the researchers say.

“In English culture, if you want to write something that’s a magic spell, people know that the way to do that is you put a lot of old-fashioned rhymes in there. We think maybe center-embedding is signaling legalese in the same way,” Gibson says.

In this study, the researchers asked about 200 non-lawyers (native speakers of English living in the United States, who were recruited through a crowdsourcing site called Prolific), to write two types of texts. In the first task, people were told to write laws prohibiting crimes such as drunk driving, burglary, arson, and drug trafficking. In the second task, they were asked to write stories about those crimes.

To test the copy and edit hypothesis, half of the participants were asked to add additional information after they wrote their initial law or story. The researchers found that all of the subjects wrote laws with center-embedded clauses, regardless of whether they wrote the law all at once or were told to write a draft and then add to it later. And, when they wrote stories related to those laws, they wrote in much plainer English, regardless of whether they had to add information later.

“When writing laws, they did a lot of center-embedding regardless of whether or not they had to edit it or write it from scratch. And in that narrative text, they did not use center-embedding in either case,” Martinez says.

In another set of experiments, about 80 participants were asked to write laws, as well as descriptions that would explain those laws to visitors from another country. In these experiments, participants again used center-embedding for their laws, but not for the descriptions of those laws.

The origins of legalese

Gibson’s lab is now investigating the origins of center-embedding in legal documents. Early American laws were based on British law, so the researchers plan to analyze British laws to see if they feature the same kind of grammatical construction. And going back much farther, they plan to analyze whether center-embedding is found in the Hammurabi Code, the earliest known set of laws, which dates to around 1750 BC.

“There may be just a stylistic way of writing from back then, and if it was seen as successful, people would use that style in other languages,” Gibson says. “I would guess that it’s an accidental property of how the laws were written the first time, but we don’t know that yet.”

The researchers hope that their work, which has identified specific aspects of legal language that make it more difficult to understand, will motivate lawmakers to try to make laws more comprehensible. Efforts to write legal documents in plainer language date to at least the 1970s, when President Richard Nixon declared that federal regulations should be written in “layman’s terms.” However, legal language has changed very little since that time.

“We have learned only very recently what it is that makes legal language so complicated, and therefore I am optimistic about being able to change it,” Gibson says. 

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Researchers at MIT have found that the use of legalese in writing “to assert authority over those less versed in such language,” reports Noor Al-Sibai for Futurism . “By studying this cryptic take on the English language, the researchers are hoping to make legal documents much easier to read in the future,” explains Al-Sibai.

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Undergraduate admissions in a new time

Dear members of the MIT community,

In June 2023, the US Supreme Court made a ruling that changed the way college admissions have been conducted for decades. In a letter at the time,  I let you know  that we expected the ruling to pose a serious challenge to sustaining, in future classes, the diverse mix of students who make MIT the place it is today.

Now that the Class of 2028 has enrolled, the impact is clear, and it is concerning.

To understand what’s occurred, I encourage you to read two very helpful documents that tap the expertise of Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services Stu Schmill ’86:

• An  MIT News Q&A in which Stu explains the facts
• And a  blog post  of personal reflections and insights based on his decades as a member of the MIT community.

I’ve also prepared this  brief video  with thoughts on where we go from here. (You can find the  transcript here .)

Sally Kornbluth President

MIT Office of the President

• Writing & Speeches

Undergraduate admissions in a new time

Dear members of the MIT community,

In June 2023, the US Supreme Court made a ruling that changed the way college admissions have been conducted for decades. In a letter at the time,  I let you know  that we expected the ruling to pose a serious challenge to sustaining, in future classes, the diverse mix of students who make MIT the place it is today.

Now that the Class of 2028 has enrolled, the impact is clear, and it is concerning.

To understand what’s occurred, I encourage you to read two very helpful documents that tap the expertise of Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services Stu Schmill ’86:

• An  MIT News Q&A in which Stu explains the facts
• And a  blog post  of personal reflections and insights based on his decades as a member of the MIT community.

I’ve also prepared this  brief video  with thoughts on where we go from here. (You can find the  transcript here .)

Sally Kornbluth

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