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Massachusetts Institute of Technology Admissions Information

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts (map)

 

Founded in 1861, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is consistently ranked among the top research universities in the country, with a focus on science, technology, and their role in society. The teaching approach at MIT is hands-on and analytical, providing an excellent combination of practical experience and academic knowledge. The “real-world” application of an MIT education is evidenced by the 75% of undergraduates who participate in internship programs and the 85% of students who graduate with significant research experience.

MIT is known for its intense academic rigor, but it offers a number of resources to ease the pressure for students. In particular, the first semester of the first year is graded on a Pass/No Record basis, to allow new students to adjust to life and academics. Furthermore, most undergraduates are heavily involved with extracurricular activities, both on and off campus. From the nationally acclaimed MIT Symphony Orchestra to comedy-improv groups, the University has over 450 student organizations.

MIT students take full advantage of their vibrant Cambridge neighborhood, and because the campus is located on a T subway line, access to historic downtown Boston is convenient. Several cross-registration programs allow MIT students to take courses at Harvard, Wellesley College, and the Massachusetts College of Art.

 

 

Basic Info

Main Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
 
Phone Number: (617) 253-1000  
Website: http://web.mit.edu/  

Characteristics

Type of school: Private, Research Institution  
Type of school: Coed  
Setting: Urban, small city, residential campus  
Athletics: Division III, Intercollegiate, Club, Intramural  
Degrees offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral/Research  
Size of undergraduate student body: 4232  
Percent out-of-state: 90%  
Percent international: 9%  
Female to Male ratio: 45:55  

Academic Life

Student to Professor ratio: 7:1  
Most popular majors: Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Mathematics

(60% of students major in Engineering)
 
Special study programs: Cross-Registration
Double Major
Internships
ROTC, Air Force
ROTC, Army
ROTC, Navy
Semester At Sea
Study Abroad
Teacher Certification
Washington Semester
 

Campus Life

Housing options:
First-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing
92% of all undergraduates live in college housing
Women's housing
Apartments for single students
Fraternity/Sorority housing
Wellness housing (alcohol/drug/smoke-free)
100% of first-year students live in college housing
Coed housing
Apartments for married students
Cooperative housing
Special housing for students with disabilities
Activities:
Campus ministries
Concert band
Drama
Fraternities
Jazz band
Marching band
Music ensembles
Radio station
Student government
Symphony orchestra
Yearbook
Choral groups
Dance
Film society
International students
Literary magazine
Model U.N.
Musical theater
Sororities
Student newspaper
Television station

Fun Facts

  • Ranked #1 "Students Who Study the Most"
  • MIT has always been open to men and women, unlike many other universities founded in the 19th century.
  • MIT's mascot is the beaver (nature's original engineer).
  • On-campus facilities include a museum, visual arts center, computer science and artificial intelligence laboratory, institute for soldier nanotechnologies, and institute for learning and memory.
 

Admissions Information

With an acceptance rate of 11%, MIT is a highly competitive university that looks for students who are best suited to the university's academic mission. The admissions committee seeks applicants who demonstrate initiative, dedication, and resiliency, in addition to superior academic and personal achievement. According to MIT's admissions website, the evaluation process of each application is highly extensive and context-driven. Each application is reviewed by several groups of admissions officers who consider a variety of factors, including high school transcript, standardized test scores, essays, teacher and guidance counselor recommendations, and extracurricular activities.

In addition, the committee tries to understand the environment of each student's upbringing and how it affected his or her opportunities and achievements. The optional (but recommended) interview with MIT alumni provides quite a bit of information about this personal background. Overall, be sure that you organize your application in a way that clearly expresses what you have to offer and why you believe that you are a good fit at MIT.

Admissions address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 3-108
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
 
Phone number: (617) 253-3400  
Fax number: (617) 258-8304  
Admissions Website: http://mitadmissions.org/  
Email: admissions@mit.edu  
Contact Person: Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions  
Number of first-year applications received: 15,663  
Percent of applicants admitted: 11%  

Application Information

Regular application deadline: January 1  
Early decision/action deadline: November 1 (Early Action, non-restrictive)  
Accepts the Common Application? No (online application available on admissions website)  
Admission requirements: Biographical Information Form
Essays, Activities, and Tests Form
Self-reported Coursework Form
Interview (suggested)
Standardized Tests
Teacher Evaluation Forms
Secondary School Report Form
Mid-year Report
Supplements (including art and music)
 

Application Information

Standardized test scores required? SAT Reasoning Test OR ACT with Writing
SAT Subject Tests (Math 1 or 2 AND Biology or Chemistry or Physics)
TOEFL (if applicable)
 
Policy regarding SAT score-use: Highest score from each section  
 
Middle 50% Scores

Low


Average


High
% Who Submitted Scores
SAT Critical Reading
650
705
760
93%
SAT Math
720
760
800
93%
SAT Writing
660
710
760
93%
ACT Composite
32
34
35
36%

 
College Board code: 3514  
ACT code: 1858  
Learn more about other Top Technology schools:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute   California Institute of Technology   Worcester Polytechnic Institute   Georgia Tech  

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