MIT Application Guide

“Don’t panic.” Some Intentionally Bad Haiku to Ease the Pain of College Applications

Douglas Adams,
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Grrrrr. Applications.
What a pain! Boring questions,
What emerges from
parents on your case...
the many details is a
portrait: the real you.
There has to be a
better way than filling out
What should we know that
all these stupid forms.
test scores, transcripts, and teachers
Maybe there is, but
can’t fully reveal?
(ooops, we sound like parents here)
Office of Admissions NONPR OFIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology U.S . POS TA GE we’ve found that this works.
77 Massachusetts Avenue PA ID
Room 3-108 Westboro, MA
We want to get to
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 Permit No. 100
know you as well as we can.
Believe it or not. Only you can turn
these otherwise stupid forms
into your story.

We’re looking forward

to learning all about you.
Get started. Have fun!
 34 1

Checklist Introductions

ASAP!
We’re so happy that you are considering applying to MIT.
h Register for a MyMIT account at my.mit.edu. November (Early Action) or
(See page 12) January (Regular Action) test dates We’re aware that applying to college can be both daunting and
h Submit Part 1. (See page 13) h Last standardized tests that will be considered exhilarating, especially when you add it to your already-packed
h Contact your interviewer to schedule your in selection committee — please plan accordingly! schedule of tough coursework, activities, social, and family
interview. (See page 18) life responsibilities. You may wonder why the process needs to
(See pages 24-25)
be so involved and demanding of your time.
h Give Teacher Evaluations to your teachers.
(See page 20) After first semester, first trimester, Admission at a place like MIT is always based upon the match
h Give Secondary School Report to your or second quarter between you and the Institute’s culture, community, and mission.
guidance counselor or principal. (See page 21) h Have your guidance counselor or principal We’ve introduced MIT to you through our web site, blogs,
complete the Mid-year Grade Report. (See page 21) publications, and mailings. It’s now your turn to introduce yourself
Before October 20 (Early Action) or to us, through our application process.
December 10 (Regular Action) Before February 15 There should be a sense of resonance between us. In order to
h Schedule your MIT interview. (See page 18) h Submit all financial aid materials to Financial determine that resonance, we really need to understand each
Aid Office. (See pages 27-30) other, what our values are, what makes us come alive. A handful of
Before November 1 (Early Action) or numbers can’t do that. So we have to ask you for a whole lot more.
January 1 (Regular Action)
h Submit Part 2 and all other required We hope to guide you through a few hours of self-discovery, and
we’ve tried to make it entertaining along the way. Ideally, you’ll
application materials. (See page 15)
look back on our application and find that you’ve actually enjoyed
h Optional: submit music and/or art portfolios; working on it.
contact MIT coach(es) and/or ROTC.
(See pages 22-23)
So have fun with this! Most importantly, just be yourself.
We look forward to reading all about the real you.
 2 3

A Bit About Us
MIT is a unique place with specific core values:
When we admit a class of students to
• We are a meritocracy. We judge each other by our ideas,
MIT, it’s as if we’re choosing a 1,000-person our creativity, and our accomplishments, not by social status,
age, gender, or background.
team to climb a very interesting, fairly
rugged mountain — together. We obviously • We are relevant. We’re proud to generate useful
knowledge that makes a difference in the world,
want people who have the training, stamina, changing it for the better.
and passion for the climb. At the same • We are entrepreneurial. The key to success at
time, we want each to add something MIT is to have a good idea and be prepared to
run with it.
useful or intriguing to the team, from a
• We are inventive. While we respect tradition,
wonderful temperament or sense of humor, we are not afraid to abandon the past or to
to compelling personal experiences, strike out in new or unusual directions in search
of a better way to do things.
to a wide range of individual gifts, talents,
• We are unconventional. In an
interests, and achievements. We are institution where the currency in trade
emphatically not looking for a batch of is intelligence, it is okay to be different.
Our acceptance of each other frees
identical perfect climbers; we are looking us up to be our real selves.
for a richly varied team of capable people
Does this sound like you?
who will support, surprise and inspire Keep reading.
each other.
 4 5
The Match Between You and MIT Hands-on creativity.
•

Understandably, we’re often asked MIT is an active, hands-on place.

what makes an applicant the right “match” to MIT. Innovation is risky and messy! •
Here are some key components: Getting your hands dirty The character of the
and trying something new is often MIT community.
• the best way to achieve success. Our community is comprised
Alignment with MIT’s publishing and sharing of results is We apply theoretical knowledge of good people. People who
mission to make the at the center of academic research. to real-world problems here; take care of each other and
world a better place. Fostering a collaborative environment our Latin motto means lift each other up.
Remember that there are many is an important part of the MIT “Mind and Hand.” People who inspire each other
ways to make the world better — community. If you enjoy working In other words, to work and dream beyond
we’re not looking for applicants alone all the time, that’s fine! you shouldn’t their potential. We’re looking
to have cured all infectious disease But you’re probably not going to just enjoy thinking, to admit people who by nature
in the world by the time they’re be particularly happy here. you should also will sustain the qualities of
fifteen. Tutoring a single kid in math enjoy doing. this community.
changes the world. Lobbying a senator •
to change a bad policy changes the world. Risk-taking. MIT wants to •
There are thousands of examples. admit people who are not only Intensity, curiosity, Of course this is not an
planning to succeed, but who and excitement. exhaustive list, and
• are not afraid to fail. When In a nutshell: remember that
Collaborative & cooperative spirit. people take risks in life, you should be invested no one profile —
The core of the MIT spirit is they learn resilience as a in the things that no matter how
collaboration and cooperation. You can result — risk leads to failure really mean something to you impressive —
see it all over the Institute: many of the as often as it leads to success. (we’re not particularly picky as to what). represents “the
problem sets (our affectionate The most creative and Choose quality over quantity — we perfect match.”
term for homework) at MIT are successful people — and don’t expect you to do a million things. It takes all of
designed to be worked on in groups; MIT is loaded with them — Tell us about those few things us working together
cross-department labs are very know that failure is part of you’ve put your heart into to create that —
common; MIT is known for its life and that if you stay focused and you truly care about which is a huge
interdisciplinary research; and don’t give up, goals are and that will be enough. part of what makes
the Open Source movement ultimately realized. MIT the powerful
is powerful here; community that it is.
6 7
MIT: A Brief Overview

A Brief Overview
MIT:
Whom you’ll find here Your major

Undergraduates When you apply to MIT,

• 4,172 undergraduates you don’t apply to a specific
(45% women, 55% men) school or department; you
• 20% are underrepresented apply to MIT as a whole.
minorities (African American, At the end of their freshman
Hispanic, Native American) year, students choose their
• 9% are international, major from among any of
representing over the 47 degree programs
90 countries in 31 academic departments
• All 50 US states represented offered at MIT. Students
(most represented: California, are free to select any major;
New York, Massachusetts, there is no separate application
Texas, Florida) process for entry into a major,
• 28% major in science, department, or school.

and ways to have fun.

what you’ll study, where you’ll live,
Stuff on whom you’ll meet,
2% in architecture and
planning, 58% in engineering, Approximately 15% of our
4% in the humanities, students choose to double
arts, and social sciences, major; you may also choose
and 7% in management up to two minors.

Faculty
• 1,008 faculty members
(all teach classes and
do research)
• 7 Nobel Laureates
• 19 MacArthur Fellows
• 4 Pulitzer Prize winners
 8 9

Your studies Your research Where you live

At MIT, undergraduates receive bachelor The Undergraduate Research Opportu- Housing is guaranteed for all
of science degrees. To earn a degree, nities Program, or UROP, supports four years, and more than 90%
all undergraduates must complete a core undergraduate and faculty collaboration of MIT students choose to live in
requirement that is equally divided on research projects. Founded in 1969, MIT housing. The 11 dormitories
between science and mathematics, and UROP has revolutionized undergraduate each have their own culture and
the humanities, arts, and social sciences. participation in research and serves personality, and students may
as a model for undergraduate research select the dorm whose culture
The science/mathematics requirement programs in academic institutions across suits them best. Some of the dorms
includes chemistry, biology, physics, the country. UROPs are a chance to gain are awesomely geeky, others are
and calculus, as well as laboratory and significant research experience and can known for some of the best parties
science electives. be done in numerous areas such as in Boston, but all provide a very
cancer research, cognition and language supportive and friendly environ-
The humanities, arts, and social sciences processing, alternative energy, educational ment. Most students who live
requirement must be fulfilled in three innovation, the humanities, nanotechnol- in the dorms choose to live in the
out of five categories: literary and textual ogy, finance, genetics, bioengineering, same dorm for all four years; there
studies; language, thought, and value; service learning, and more. The possibili- are no “freshman-only” dorms.
the arts; cultures and societies; and ties are endless. Students usually join a All dorms also have a live-in faculty
historical studies. faculty member’s project, but they may housemaster who oversees the
also design their own and recruit faculty life of the dorm.
Students must also complete a four- to advise them. Students can earn academic
subject communication requirement. credit or pay, or work as volunteers. The After the first year, students may choose to live in one of MIT’s residential fraternities,
program is open to all students, including sororities, and other independent and cooperative living groups, called FSILGs.
freshmen, and supports research in any The FSILGs are both on campus and in Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline.
department. UROPs are so popular They provide an option for students to live in a small, close-knit environment.
that approximately 85% of students will Each FSILG has a live-in adult Resident Advisor to guide and mentor the students.
participate in at least one UROP while
at MIT.
 10 11
The Application and MyMIT

& MyMIT
The Application
What you do for fun
We get lots of questions about the best strategy
At MIT, the informal motto is, “Work hard, play hard.” As such, students for completing our application. We promise you
complement their academic and research work with a wide array of that there’s no magic formula for admission, so our
extracurricular opportunities. advice is pretty simple: just be yourself.

The more than 400 activity groups on MIT’s campus include: Our application isn’t a test — it’s really just a
vehicle built to help us learn as much about you as
30 religious groups 19 intramural sports possible. There are no right or wrong answers to
32 fraternities & sororities (with more than 1,000 our questions.
19 dance groups teams competing)
(from ballet to hip hop) 30 club sports (including Think about how best to present the real you — your
31 music groups (including ultimate frisbee, rugby, abilities, your goals, and your imagination — as fully
7 a cappella groups) kickboxing, archery, as possible. Carefully consider what you’d like us to
10 theater groups synchronized swimming, know that test scores and transcripts won’t reveal. Don’t
(including a Shakespeare and more) hold back.

magic formula.
Just be yourself. There is no
To put it simply...
ensemble, a sketch comedy 41 varsity sports (including
group, and the Musical a Division I program We’re not trying to invade your privacy; we simply want to
Theater Guild) in crew, and Division III get to know you better and to understand the context in
65 ethnic and cultural groups programs in our other which you’ve achieved your success. The more complete your
(from African Students NCAA sports, including application, the better the snapshot we’ll have of your life.
Association to Vietnamese football, field hockey,
Students Association) and men’s and women’s We’ve written this booklet to help you understand the various
basketball) parts of our application and why we ask the questions we ask.
We hope you find it helpful!
There’s lots more to discover!
To learn more about what makes MIT unique and exciting, please visit
mitadmissions.org for thousands of blog entries written by current
students, admissions and financial aid officers, and other members of the
MIT community.
} 12 13
The Application, Part 1: Tips

Part 1: Tips
The Application
MyMIT | my.mit.edu

We encourage you to register for a MyMIT account as soon as possible at my.mit.edu. The first step in the application process is to submit Part 1 (biographical information).
It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and you’ll need this account to apply, Submitting this form and your application fee initiates your MIT application process.
track the various components of your application, arrange to stay overnight
at MIT with a current student, and keep tabs on your financial aid forms. Applying for MIT Connections
You’ll also need a MyMIT account to set up your MIT interview. Financial Aid While many schools
There is a question in give an admissions
Applying to MIT is easy and convenient using MyMIT. You can Part 1 about whether preference for
work on your application in multiple sessions, editing it as Fee Waivers you intend to apply Mother and “legacies,” or children
many times as you wish, with the ability to upload essays If the application fee for financial aid. Father Fields of alumni, MIT offers
and send them electronically. To learn more about applying presents a hardship The answer to this These fields should no such advantage
online to MIT, register for a MyMIT account at my.mit.edu for you and your question is not seen be used to provide to legacy candidates.
and follow the link to our online application. family, you may by admissions officers, information here Everyone at MIT,
qualify for a fee and because MIT is about the people including students who
It’s your responsibility to ensure that we receive all waiver. To request need-blind in admis- whom you consider have a family member

You’re off and running.

Enter a few words, and click!
This part is easy.
of the required pieces of your application, and MyMIT a fee waiver, ask your sions, your financial to be your mother who went to MIT,
makes this task easy. Your account will be updated high school guidance status does not impact and father, whether or who gave money
frequently — usually within a few days of receiving counselor, principal, your chances for they are biological, to MIT, was admitted
new materials — so you’ll know as soon as we or other school admission. By checking adoptive, or step- because of their own
receive materials from your teachers and counselor. official to fill out this box, though, the parents. If you talent, not because of
(Please keep in mind, however, that processing of paper the SAT Request for Financial Aid Office feel that you need their family relations.
forms may take up to two weeks during peak periods.) Waiver of College will know early on to clarify your
Application Fee form of your intention to responses, please use
Whereas mitadmissions.org is the “informational side” of or submit an official apply for aid, and will the field provided.
our presence on the web, my.mit.edu is the “functional side.” letter on your behalf. make the necessary
It will help you to navigate your personal MIT application process The completed preparations for your
from start to finish. form or letter should application. For more
then be mailed to information on MIT’s
One last tip — please make note of the MyMIT username and password you create, our office. generous financial aid,
just in case you forget them! see pages 27-30.
 14 15
The Application, Part 2: Tips

Part 2: Tips
The Application
rly Action Opt
e Ea i on
Th

Part 2 asks for your responses to various essay and short-answer questions, a list of your
You will also indicate in Part 1 activities and honors, and your test scores. It also asks you to tell us about your secondary
if you intend to apply for
Early Action or Regular Action. school coursework by recording a list of your self-reported courses and grades.
We are committed to
(The Early Action option is
admitting no more
available to US citizens
and permanent residents only.)
than one third of our Part 2 is where we start to learn all about you, in your words. It’s where we begin to
class in Early Action.
If you’ll be able to complete
We’ll reconsider deferred
understand you as a person, not just as a student.
all testing requirements by the
applicants without prejudice
November testing date,
schedule your interview
in March and will notify them with Read the next few pages carefully so you’ll know how best to translate yourself to the
all other candidates in late March.
by October 20,
If you wish to be considered application. We look forward to getting to know you.
and submit your application
for Early Action, check
(Part 1 and Part 2)
the appropriate box on Part 1.

how you became you.

Here you’ll share the stories of
This part takes more time.
and supporting documents
Please know that applying for
by November 1,
Early Action does not put
MIT will consider your application
your application at an
in early December.
advantage or disadvantage.
At that time we will either
Our Early Action program
offer you admission,
is both nonbinding
deny you admission,
and nonrestrictive.
or defer the decision until March.
If we offer you admission,
you’ll have until May 1
to let us know if you will attend.
 16 17
The Main Essay The essay is not a writing test. (Say that a few times out loud.) It doesn’t have to be Short Answer Questions
fit for publication in The New Yorker. The essay is the place in your application
where we’ll look for your voice — who you are, what drives you, what’s
important to you, what makes you tick. Be honest, be open, be real —
Short Essay A: Short Essay B: The “Completely Optional” Essay
connect with us. That’s all that matters.
Tell us about something you do simply Which department or program at On a separate sheet, show us and/or tell us about
for the pleasure of it. MIT appeals to you and why? something that you have created. This can be,
The rules are simple: write your own essay. That’s the best advice anyone can give to you. Your applica-
for example, a design, a device, an object, an idea,
tion is full of grades and test scores and teachers writing things about you and interviewers writing things
This is not a trick question. Some Truly, we’re asking only because or concept.
about you and things inferred from your participation in clubs and sports and whatever else
folks seem to think it might be — we’re curious about what interests
you do ... the essay is the one place where you get to say, “Hey, I’m a human being,
they assume that MIT is looking you right now — not because we First off: this essay really, truly is completely
let me connect with you on that level, here is my voice, here is who I am.”
for every second of every day to be have any quotas. You won’t declare optional.
That’s all we’re really looking for. A little helpful editing or proofreading
“meaningful” — and so over the your major until the end of your
from a parent or teacher is fine, but don’t let anyone take your voice away.
years we’ve received some truly freshman year — there’s a lot If you have something interesting to share,
outlandish claims of what passes for of time between now and then to we’d love to hear about it. You can send in a
The 500-word limit is a guideline, not a strict cut-off. Simply use good
fun in the lives of our applicants. explore, discover new things, and written response online, or, if you need to
judgment — your application readers won’t mind if your essay is 550 words, but
change your mind. send along photographs, diagrams, or other
1,000 words may be a different story.
The truth is that we’re looking things that can’t be submitted online, you can
for balance. MIT is an intense For this reason, approximately half mail them directly to the Admissions Office.
If you upload a file, please be aware that small formatting
educational experience — one that of our students ultimately major
losses can occur. Don’t worry about this — you
requires regular down-time to in something entirely different But if you don’t have anything you want to
certainly won’t be penalized!
digest and process. The ability to from what they wrote here when share, don’t worry — the majority of appli-
Essay Option A Essay Option B prioritize and balance becomes they applied, so we couldn’t use cants, and the majority of admitted students,
Tell us about an experience Describe the world very important. We’d like to hear this data to predict anything even do not submit an essay for this question.
which, at the time, you come from, about the ways you’ve embraced if we wanted to. Moral of the
really felt like “the end for example your this in high school, because it’s story: writing “underwater basket Of course, by the time they graduate from
of the world”— but family, clubs, school, a great (and necessary) skill for weaving” will not give you an MIT, every student will have an interesting
had it not happened, community, city, thriving here. edge in the admissions process, answer for this question!
you would not be who you or town. How has so just be honest!
are today. Describe the that world shaped
process through which your dreams
you discovered value and aspirations?
in the negative.
 18 19
Self-reported Coursework

Interview How you fill out the Self-reported Coursework form will not make or break your
application. Use your best judgment — we’re just trying to get a clear picture of
The your academic preparation by subject area. We see thousands of different transcripts,
interview is an
important (and often fun!) so it really helps us to view your coursework and grades in a consistent format.
part of the MIT admissions process. You
The interview is a very effective way for us should schedule
to learn more about you and for you your meeting with your EC Here are some tips and instructions to help you complete this form:
to introduce yourself as a real live individual. at the earliest possible date. Please
While the interview is not required at MIT, do not call your EC late at night, early in • This form should be completed only by students in • If there aren’t enough spaces for all the courses you have
it is highly recommended, and often helps us the morning, or on holidays. Early Action U.S. school systems. taken, start with your most recent (current) classes and
to better understand you. If available, applicants must contact their EC by October 20 work backwards. You can also use the “Additional courses”
having an interview is to your advantage. to schedule the interview. Regular Action • The information you provide does not replace your section as an overflow section for any of the subject areas.
Last year, of eligible applicants, we admitted 15% of those applicants must contact their EC by December 10; official high school transcript, which must be sent to
who had an interview (or who had their interview waived) ECs may not be able to accommodate interview us from your school. • If your courses were taken outside of your high school
but only 5% of those who chose not to interview. requests after this date. (If you are applying (at a local junior college or university, for example),
Early Decision/Action elsewhere, you may need • It might help to have a copy of your high school tell us where they were taken in the “Course Title” field.
Interviews are conducted by Educational Counselors, to schedule your interview before you submit transcript in front of you while completing this form.
or ECs — MIT alumni volunteers who meet your application to MIT. This is fine.) Consult your guidance counselor if you have questions. • In the “Term and/or Final Grade(s)” field, list the term
with applicants in their home communities. and/or final grades for each class, as found on your school
In late summer, you’ll find your interviewer’s name Keep in mind that the interview is intended • Enter the names of your school courses by subject area. transcript (semester, trimester, quarter, final, etc.).
and contact information in your MyMIT account. to be a two-way exchange. Just as your Please avoid uncommon abbreviations if possible
Please note that there may be times when there is no EC is getting to know you, he or she is (abbreviations like “AP US History” or “IB Biology • Use one line only per class — for example, it’s not
EC in your area and we will waive your interview. providing you with information about MIT. HL” are fine). Please include all classes you have taken necessary to use a separate line for each semester of the
It is your responsibility to check your Before your meeting, review your interests and are currently taking. same class. Place all grades for a class in the same field,
MyMIT account to find out the name of your and activities and prepare questions separating grades with commas.
EC, and to schedule the interview before for your EC. Then relax and
the interview deadline. enjoy the conversation.
 20 21
Extra-curricular Teacher Evaluations Secondary School Report + Mid-year Grade Report
Activities
Please use our form, not your resume, to list Two teacher evaluations are required — please give You can download these forms in pdf Mid-year Grade Report Form For Regular Action applicants, the
your activities outside of class. There is only them to your teachers early! You can download format via your MyMIT account or at Mid-year Grade Report form should be
enough space to list five things — please them in pdf format via your MyMIT account or at web.mit.edu/admissions/forms. This form is required for all applicants returned as soon as your first semester
choose the five that mean the most to you and web.mit.edu/admissions/forms. who currently attend a U.S. high school grades are available. We realize that for
tell us a bit about them. This will tell us The forms should be completed by your or who currently attend a school located some of you, your mid-year grades will not
more about you than any “laundry list” of One recommendation should be from a math or school guidance counselor, if available. abroad that follows the U.S. high school be released until after January 1 — this is
everything you’ve ever done in high school. science teacher and the other should be from a If your school does not have a guidance curriculum. The Mid-year Grade Report not a problem. Please just be sure to send
You are welcome to submit a resume, but humanities, social science or language teacher. counselor, a principal, headmaster, or form should be returned to us as soon the form in as soon as they are available.
submitting a resume in lieu of filling out our We find that the best recommendations are written other similar educational official should as possible after completion of the fall
standard activity list won’t be appreciated by by teachers who know an applicant well as both a complete the forms. semester (or after completion of the
the committee (so please don’t!). student and a person — please choose accordingly. second quarter, if your school uses a
Secondary School Report Form quarter-based system). If your school uses
“Activities” is intentionally broad and We prefer that teachers use our forms, but it’s okay a trimester schedule, please return this
designed to be left open to your interpreta- if your high school has its own form. It’s okay too Your guidance counselor should complete form to us following completion of the
tion. The sky is the limit —
­ everything from for a teacher to submit a letter; we just ask that this form and return it to us along with first trimester. We realize that most
“serving as captain of the school basketball he/she attach it to our form — with your name and your transcript and a letter of summary/ Early Action applicants will not have first
team” to “hanging out with my little brother” date of birth clearly indicated — and that the letter recommendation. We prefer that schools term grades by November 1; if you apply
is appropriate — but only you will know addresses the questions on our form. use our form, but it’s okay if your school Early Action, simply return this form
which five things have meant the most to has a policy to use its own form. Give your to us as soon as these grades are available.
you over the last several years. Supplemental evaluations are also welcome — we guidance counselor this form early so that
simply ask that they provide different or additional he/she has time to fully consider the best Early Action applicants on quarter-based
context beyond the two we’ve already requested. way to present your accomplishments. systems often ask if it is okay to send in
Great examples of supplemental recommendations their first-quarter grades. This is not
include coaches, employers, research advisors, and required, but it’s certainly okay. Please
music teachers. note, however, that you must still send
in the mid-year report after the second
quarter grades have been released.
 22 23
Art, Athletics, Music, ROTC

Art Athletics Music ROTC

There are many opportunities at MIT If you are an accomplished athlete and MIT is home to a vibrant and diverse musical For Performers MIT is home to Boston’s
in the arts and architecture. you are considering participating at the community. Students may choose from a In the body of your email, please note your largest Reserve Officers Training
varsity level in college, we encourage broad range of courses — including history, instrument as well as the composer and title of Corps, or ROTC, program.
From watercolors to holograms, you to contact the MIT coach for your theory/composition, computer music, and the recorded music. All three ROTC programs —
sculpture to interactive video, MIT sport(s) directly. MIT fields 41 varsity performance — through the Music department, Army, Navy/Marine Corps,
offers a wide array of visual arts teams (21 for men, 17 for women, three or can join one of more than 30 instrumental Please submit: and Air Force — are active
opportunities. And since establishing coeducational) and competes mainly and choral ensembles on campus. • Mp3 recording attachments of two pieces of on campus and provide leader-
the nation’s first architecture Format: Simple, 8" x 10" hard copies are against Division III New England colleges contrasting styles, of about 10 minutes total ship training.
program in 1865, MIT has become preferred. Submissions in CD format are and Ivy League schools, but also routinely While a music portfolio is not a prerequisite duration. They may be solo or with accompani-
an internationally recognized center permitted but not preferred. Please note participates in regional and national for being involved in MIT’s music community, ment but not in an ensemble. If you are interested in partici-
of excellence in architecture. that slides are not encouraged. tournaments and championships. Learn advanced musicians who are interested in • A one-page Music Resume attached in pdf or pating in one of MIT’s three
more about MIT’s athletics programs continuing their music activity at MIT are Microsoft Word format ROTC programs and wish to
Students who are interested in Please include: at www.mitathletics.com. On that page, encouraged to submit a music supplement. • One letter of recommendation from a music find out more information, please
architecture or art are welcome to • Your full name click on “Recruiting” to be in touch If you are thinking about submitting a music teacher attached in pdf or Microsoft Word format visit web.mit.edu/due/rotc.
submit a portfolio containing any • Your date of birth with your sport’s coaching staff. portfolio, please submit it by November 1
art, photography, or architectural • “Undergraduate Application Materials” if you are an Early Action applicant or by If you play two instruments equally well,
work for evaluation by the architecture on the envelope January 1 if you are a Regular Action applicant. please submit a separate supplement for
faculty. If you are thinking about each instrument.
submitting an art portfolio, please Please send submissions to: To submit a music portfolio, send an email to
submit it by November 1 if you auditions @ mit.edu. In the body of the email, For Composers
are an Early Action applicant or Jan Wampler, Director of Design please be sure to include: Please submit:
by January 1 if you are a Regular Undergraduate Program • Your name • One recent composition score attached in
Action applicant. MIT Department of Architecture • Your date of birth pdf format
Building 9-213 • Mac-compatible email attachments • A one-page Music Resume attached in pdf or
77 Massachusetts Avenue Microsoft Word format
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 • One letter of recommendation from a music
teacher attached in pdf or Microsoft Word format
 24 25
Standardized Testing

Specific standardized tests are required for any Testing Deadlines and Reporting Scores Testing Requirements When to take which tests
freshman application to MIT. While your scores
are only one component of your application, they In order to apply for freshman admission, you must take the required For native English speakers: We require the Obviously, it’s vital that students take all tests on or before
are important, and you should make sure you’re tests on or before the November test date for Early Action or the January SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Plus Writing their testing deadline (November test date for Early Action
prepared for the testing process. test date for Regular Action. test. We do not prefer one over the other. In and January test date for Regular Action). Beyond that,
addition, we require two SAT Subject Tests: one in however, choose your test dates wisely! For example,
Your scores must be reported to us officially from the testing agency; math (level 1 or 2), and one in science (physics, if you will be completing high school physics, chemistry
scores you list on your application and scores appearing on your school chemistry, or biology e/m). We do not have a or biology before your senior year, it’s best to take the
transcript will not be considered official. Our SAT and TOEFL code preference as to which science you take or which appropriate SAT Subject Tests(s) right afterwards, in June,
is 3514 and our ACT code is 1858. level math you take. while the material is fresh in your mind.

We recommend that you list MIT as a school to receive your scores If you have taken the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Many applicants do take at least one science subject test
when you take the test (you must do this if taking Janaury tests; otherwise Plus Writing more than once, we will use the during senior year, after completing only a portion of
we will not receive them in time). If you do not, please allow plenty of highest score achieved in each section for our the given course; our Admissions Committee recognizes
time for your scores to arrive at MIT. evaluation. Since reporting multiple scores will this and judges the scores accordingly. As a general rule,
not hurt you, we recommend that when you however, it’s best to take a subject exam just after you’ve
It is important that you register for tests with the same name as you have register to take tests, you ask for all of your scores completed a whole course.
indicated on your application or MyMIT account. Your record and test to be reported to MIT.
scores will not be linked in our system if the names do not match. The content of your math courses should determine
For non-native English speakers: You have two whether you take the Level 1 or the Level 2 Math test and
You can get more information and register for the SAT tests online options: 1) take the tests required for native when. (The two tests are weighed equally in the admissions
at www.collegeboard.com, for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign English speakers (see above), or 2) you may take decision.) Before you choose the dates for any of your tests,
Language) at www.ets.org/toefl, and for the ACT at www.act.org. the TOEFL and two SAT Subject Tests, one in particularly the math test, be sure to get advice from your
math (level 1 or 2) and one in science (physics, guidance counselor and your teachers.
chemistry, or biology e/m). If you have been using
English for less than five years or do not speak
English at home, we strongly suggest that you take
the TOEFL.
 26 27
Selection Process Financial Aid

Financial Aid
After you click the submit button, it’s easy to feel as though your These summaries, along with your application, will then go to the Common questions and answers
application has entered a black hole — what really happens between selection committee, where multiple groups of different admissions about the financial aid process
when you apply and when you receive your decision? We understand staff and faculty members will weigh in. At least a dozen people will
that not knowing the details can add a lot of stress to the waiting significantly discuss and debate an application before it is placed in Q What does it cost per year to
period, so we’re happy to shed some light into that black hole. the admit pile. attend MIT?
A Our estimated cost of attendance for
Once your application is complete, it will first be read by a senior This is all very intentional; committee decisions ensure that every the year 2008–2009 is $50,100, plus travel.
admissions officer who will consider your application in a holistic decision is correct in the context of the overall applicant pool, and Included in the total cost is tuition and
manner, within its proper context. Strong applications will then be that no one individual’s bias or preferences or familiarity with a fees, totaling $36,390. We estimate that
evaluated by another admissions officer who will summarize it at given case has any chance of swaying a decision unfairly. Our mission at MIT is to advance knowl- Just consider the following facts: you will spend $10,860 on room and
length for the committee. Next, members of the admissions commit- edge and educate students in science, meals, and $2,850 on books and personal
tee, which may include a faculty member, will do additional evalua- Our process is a student-centered process, not a school- or region- technology and other areas of scholarship • Approximately three out of four MIT expenses.
tions and summaries of the application. centered process. This means that we do not read your application that will best serve the nation and the undergraduates receive some form of
along with other students from your school or region to compare world in the 21st century. To achieve this financial assistance. Q How do I apply for financial aid?
you against each other; each applicant stands on their own. We mission we recruit and enroll the most A U.S. citizens and permanent residents

to help with the cost.

Fortunately, we have ways
MIT’s not cheap.
have no quotas by school, state, or region. You are not at any talented and promising students, make • Tuition, fees, room, board, supplies, and begin by filing the 2009–2010 Free
disadvantage if other excellent students from your school or area all our admissions decisions without regard personal expenses total $50,100 for the Application for Federal Student Aid
are also applying. to family financial circumstances, award 2008–2009 academic year, but our average (FAFSA) with the federal government and
all our aid based on financial need, and financial aid award, including scholarships, the PROFILE Application with the
This process of carefully reading applications and discussing them meet the full need of each student for all loans and work, was more than $33,040 College Scholarship Service (CSS) as soon
extensively in committee takes months. It’s not something we ever four years. in 2007–2008. after January 1, 2009 as possible, but
rush — these decisions are far too important. no later than February 15, 2009. In order
As a result of our strong commitment • Families earning less than $75,000 a year to ensure the timely notification of the
In other words, your application is in good hands — so please try to making MIT affordable, we have one will have all tuition covered, and MIT will financial aid decision, you should not wait
not to worry. We’ll also give you regular updates on our progress of the most diverse campus communities eliminate the student loan expectation. until your parents file their 2008 federal
through the blogs at mitadmissions.org. among our peer institutions. We urge income tax return before you file these
you not to let the cost of MIT deter you applications. Use best estimates of your
from applying to one of the world’s most 2008 financial information instead.
outstanding universities. Please refer to “Financial Aid application
 28 29
materials” at the end of this section for other Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) before
forms you may need to submit. If you are not a
Q Do I need to submit copies of my tax
returns to you?
Q What does a typical financial aid award
from MIT look like?
Q How are scholarships from outside sources
treated by MIT? commencing employment. International
Financial Aid
U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must A If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident A We meet 100% of a family’s calculated need. A We reward the receipt of outside awards by students can work on campus during the application materials
complete the International Student Financial we will require a copy of your parents’ most The award contains a preset “self-help” (1) reducing the self-help component (student academic year and during the summer. See
Aid Application instead of the FAFSA and CSS recent tax return before we can determine your component that consists of a low-interest loans and/or work) and (2) reducing the student web.mit.edu/sfs/jobs for more information The Free Application for Federal
PROFILE. This application will be available eligibility for financial aid. Upon completing student loan and/or MIT student job. contribution dollar for dollar. Should the total about student employment at MIT. Student Aid (FAFSA)
on our web site after November 1, 2008. the CSS PROFILE application, you will be sent The rest of your family’s calculated need is amount of all outside awards received exceed the If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
an Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) met with an MIT scholarship. amount of self-help and student contribution, Q When will I be notified about the you and your parents must complete the 2009–
Q What is the financial aid application Cover Sheet by the College Board. You will use we reduce the MIT scholarship portion of the financial aid decision? 2010 FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
deadline and what if I miss it? the IDOC Cover Sheet to submit your parents’ Q Is there an income “cut off ” award. Outside awards are scholarships, grants, A Both Early Action and Regular Action admitted (alternatively, the paper version is available from
A Although it takes some time and effort, it is 2008 federal income tax returns, miscellaneous for financial aid? or benefits from federal, state, or private sources students who apply by the February 15 your high school guidance office). File the
critical that you complete your financial aid schedules, and W-2 forms. If your parents have A No. We encourage all applicants for admission that are not administered by MIT. deadline will be notified by April 1 about their FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 and
application by the February 15 deadline. Doing not yet filed their 2008 federal tax return by the who think they need assistance to apply financial aid decision. Applicants who do not designate MIT as a recipient by using our name,
so will ensure that you are best prepared to time you receive the IDOC Cover Sheet, you for financial aid, regardless of income level. Q What type of work is available to meet the meet the February 15 deadline will be notified address, and federal school code of 002178.
make the decision to attend MIT in a timely should send a copy of your parents’ 2007 federal We apply a formula that uses all of the self-help component of the package? of their eligibility to receive aid shortly after
manner. If you miss the deadline, you will still tax return directly to MIT along with copies information on the FAFSA and the CSS A A variety of work opportunities are available on their application becomes complete. However, The CSS PROFILE
be eligible for financial aid consideration but of their 2007 W-2 forms. Once the 2008 federal PROFILE. There are a number of factors campus that can fit into the busy schedule of a we reserve the right to stop reviewing late If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
your financial aid award may not be complete income tax returns are filed, you should send other than income that we take into typical MIT student. The current campus applications after May 1. you and your parents must also complete
by the May 1 admissions reply deadline. these to the College Board along with your consideration when assessing a family’s minimum wage is $9.00 an hour. Many part- the 2009–2010 CSS PROFILE application.
IDOC Cover Sheet. The College Board will ability to contribute. We may also take into time paid jobs are also part of community For more information, see the Student Financial You may complete the application online
scan the forms and perform some data entry account any special financial circumstances. service programs, enabling students to get Services website at web.mit.edu/sfs at https://profileonline.collegeboard.com.
for us. MIT will be able to view every piece involved with the Cambridge/Boston commu- Be sure to designate MIT as one of the
of paper you submit. If you are an international Q Will I get the same financial aid for nity while earning money to help defray the recipients, using our code number of 3514.
applicant, please provide a complete copy all four years? cost of their education. Most community service
of your national income tax return along with A Students must reapply for financial aid every jobs require students to have Federal Work CSS Business/Farm Supplement
your application for financial aid to MIT. year. We review your eligibility for assistance Study in their financial aid package. Work Study If you are completing the CSS PROFILE
If your country does not have an annual income each year with the updated information you is quite common at MIT, with 61% of students application and either parent is self-employed
tax form, please send a letter from each parent’s and your parents give to us. However, you participating. Students can also participate or owns any part of a business or farm, s/he
employer(s) indicating salary earned in local should expect to receive the same financial in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities will need to submit the CSS Business/Farm
currency. Please completely translate ALL aid provided there are no significant changes Program (UROP), which allows them to Supplement (sent to you with your IDOC
materials into English, but report figures in in your family’s finances and you meet the participate in research-based collaboration with packet) for each business or farm in which any
your local currency. financial aid renewal deadlines. faculty members. Any student who wants to interest is held.
work on campus must complete an Employment

 30 31
Financial Aid application materials (continued) Advice from MIT Students

MIT Students
Advice from
“Write about YOUR life — your loves, your
fears, and your dreams. Not your parents’ —
nor your counselor’s. Find the original fire
Complete copies of your parents’ 2008 Separated or divorced parents International students in your heart that shaped you to who you
federal income tax returns If your parents are separated or divorced, we Like our domestic applicants, financial need “Just be yourself — if you’re accepted, you’ll know that are today, and let that passion take full rein
(including all Schedules and W-2 forms) also require your noncustodial parent to submit has no bearing on admissions decisions for MIT is perfect for you, not the person you tried to be on
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a web-based Noncustodial Parent’s Profile international applicants. Additionally, we meet of your essay.”
we will require a copy of your parents’ most (at the end of the application process for the the full financial need of our international
your application.”
recent tax return before we can determine your PROFILE, you will receive further information applicants. Students from countries other than — Chris Su
— Karen Sittig
eligibility for financial aid. Upon completing on how to fulfill the noncustodial parent the United States must complete the Interna-
the CSS PROFILE application, you will be requirement). Additionally, we will need copies tional Student Financial Aid Application. This
sent an IDOC (Institutional Documentation of 2008 federal income tax returns and W-2 application will be available at http://web.mit. “Despite the equations and reactions I was inundated with
Service) Cover Sheet by the College Board. forms from the noncustodial parent. This edu/sfs after November 1, 2008. If your parents
You will use the IDOC Cover Sheet to submit information will be requested as part of the are separated or divorced, each parent must
when I arrived at MIT, the MIT application was one place where
your 2008 federal income tax returns, miscella- IDOC process highlighted above in the section complete an International Student Financial this approach was not necessary. Instead, the application “If at the end
neous schedules, and W-2 forms. If you or on federal tax returns. Aid Application. Please provide a complete was all about me and my voice: who I was, what I wanted to do, of the application
your parents own corporations, partnerships or copy of your national income tax along with and how I was going to use my four (now nine) years to leave
trusts, please include copies of those tax returns your application for financial aid to MIT.
process you feel

Heed their good advice.

these folks stood where you stand now.
A few years ago,
Additional information
(Forms 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, K-1). If your family has special circumstances or If your country does not have an annual
the Institute better than I found it.” relieved instead
unusual expenses, please submit a detailed letter income tax form, please send a letter from
Please note: If the 2008 federal income tax directly to the College Board as part of your each parent’s employer(s) indicating salary
— Bryan Owens of enriched,
return is not yet available, send the 2007 form IDOC packet to help us better understand your earned in local currency. Please completely then you missed
and 2008 W-2 forms by the February 15 financial situation. MIT will be able to retrieve translate ALL materials into English.
deadline directly to MIT, and send the 2008 images of every piece of paper you send, so your “In my application, I decided to emphasize my passions and where an excellent
federal income tax return to the College Board financial aid officer will be able to read your For more on financial aid, please contact: I came from. I wasn’t afraid to write that some of my favorite opportunity
using the IDOC Cover Sheet as soon as it comments about any special circumstances you Student Financial Services interests did not involve math or science or that to this day I still
is completed. may share with us. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
to learn
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 11-320 spend afternoons playing with Legos. Showing who you are about yourself.”
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 is of the utmost importance because the perfect school for you is
Phone: 617-253-4971 where your personality will feel right at home.” — Michael Snively
Email: [email protected]
Website: web.mit.edu/sfs — Omar Abudayyeh
 32
A Message from the Dean MIT Nondiscrimination Policy MIT Admissions Office 617-253-3400 [email protected] mitadmissions.org

Dear prospective MIT students, The Massachusetts Institute of be directed to the Executive Vice
Technology is committed to the principle President, Room 3-211, 617-253-3928,
The thing to remember, throughout your entire college search, is that you of equal opportunity in education or to the Director of Labor and
and employment. The Institute does Employee Relations, Room E19-235N,
should really only be looking for the school that is the best match to you. not discriminate against individuals on 617-253-4264, respectively.
the basis of race, color, sex, sexual Inquiries about the laws and about
Try not to pay too much attention to all of the national rankings and other orientation, gender identity, religion, compliance may also be directed to
measures that cast the widest possible net, leading everyone to believe that disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, the Assistant Secretary for Civil
there are only a handful of schools that can be considered “the best.” The best or national or ethnic origin in the Rights, U.S. Department of Education.
administration of its educational
education will come from the school that fits you best, and nothing else matters. policies, admissions policies, employ- *The ROTC programs at MIT are
ment policies, scholarship and loan operated under Department of
Think about these questions: In what types of environments do you find your- programs, and other Institute adminis- Defense (DoD) policies and regula-
self the most motivated? When do you find yourself truly engaged and excited? tered programs and activities, but tions, and do not comply fully with
may favor U.S. citizens or residents in MIT’s policy of nondiscrimination
What sorts of people inspire you to push the boundaries of your education? admissions and financial aid.* with regard to sexual orientation.
MIT continues to advocate for a
Answer these questions honestly, and then put each school on your list to the The Vice President for Human change in DoD policies and regula-
test. Then create your own set of rankings — one that is designed only for you. Resources is designated as the tions concerning sexual orientation,
Institute’s Equal Opportunity Officer and will replace scholarships of
This is also the way to complete our application: honestly, sincerely, and from and Title IX Coordinator. Inquiries students who lose ROTC financial
your own point of view. Stay true to yourself, regardless of others’ expectations. concerning the Institute’s policies, aid because of these DoD policies
compliance with applicable laws, and regulations.
At the end of the journey, having honored your true self throughout the applica- statutes, and regulations (such as
tion process is the only way to guarantee that you’ll land where you most belong. Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504),
and complaints may be directed to the
Good luck, and have fun! We look forward to reading all about you. Vice President for Human Resources,
Room E19-215, 617-253-6512, or
Sincerely, to the Coordinator of Staff Diversity
Initiatives/Affirmative Action,
Room E19-215, 617-253-1594. In the
absence of the Vice President for
Stuart Schmill ’86 Human Resources or the Coordinator
of Staff Diversity Initiatives/Affirmative
Dean of Admissions Action, inquiries or complaints may
Concept and writing: MIT Admissions | Design: Tim Blackburn | Illustration: Jessica Rosner | Photography: Erin Yunes, Steve Dunwell, Patsy Sampson | Printing: Millennium Printing