At least once, every student in school life dreams of making it big. That dream becomes an aspiration when the student gets serious about the future and starts exploring available options, which often are becoming an engineer or a doctor – two of the most honourable professions in the world. And when it comes to engineering, there is hardly anything better than getting an admission into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Getting into MIT is challenging but not impossible. However, candidates need to be clear about what the premier institute looks for in students, meeting the essential eligibility criteria and more in their early schooling years. But before we discuss more MIT’s rigorous admission, here’s a brief about the legacy of one of the most prominent engineering colleges in the world.
MIT Legacy!
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT is considered one of the most prominent institutes globally, thanks to its popular physical sciences and engineering courses that have provided several leaders across sectors.
Some of the brightest minds in the field of technology are a gift of MIT for humankind. For instance, the college has so far given the world a total of 96 Nobel laureates, 8 Fields medalists, and 26 Turing Award winners, among others.
Some of the famous alumni include Former Secretary: General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, former American astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Raghuram Rajan, computer scientist Pranav Mistry to name a few.
How tough is it to get into MIT?
TBH, the competition for a seat at MIT is cut-throat. Thousands of candidates every year seek admissions, but only a handful make the cut. For instance, the admission rate for the past few years has been dropping slightly almost every year.
From an overall first-year admissions rate of 6.7% for the Class of 2023, the rate has come down to just 4.1% for the Class of 2025. Competition for the upcoming Classes of 2026 and 2027 could further spice up.
Here’s a brief of MIT Class of 2025 admission statistics:
General
| First-year applications | 33,240 |
| First-year admits | 1,365 |
| Percentage admitted | 4.1% |
Early Action
| Early Action applicants | 15,081 |
| Early Action admits | 759 |
| Deferred to Regular Action | 10,673 |
| Deferred applicants admitted during Regular Action | 194 |
Regular Action
| Regular Action applicants | 18,250 |
| Total considered during Regular Action (including deferred students) | 28,923 |
| Regular Action admits(including deferred students) | 621 |
| Offered a place on the waitlist | 680 |
Waitlist
| Applicants offered a place on the waitlist | 680 |
| Number admitted from the waitlist | 25 |
U.S. citizens/permanent residents
| Applied | 24,074 |
| Admitted | 1,241 |
International students
| Applied | 9,165 |
| Admitted | 123 |
The statistics mentioned above depict that getting into MIT isn’t a piece of cake. That makes sense, as the institute is one among thousands of tech-first universities around the world.
In the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges Rankings for 2020, MIT had shared the third sport with Columbia University and Yale University for national universities in the U.S. The hype is indeed worth it.
How to Get Admission?
Getting admission into MIT is tough. Candidates require exceptional grades in high school, brilliant scores in standardized tests such as SAT or ACT, and a well-written essay to impress the committee shortlisting applications, among other important requirements.
Here are the top requirements that need to be fulfilled to realise your MIT dream:
1. Show-off your High School Grades
It’s no secret that MIT prefers brilliant candidates with an excellent academic background. According to stats shared by the institute last year, 97% of its admitted students were in the top 10% of their classes.
Moreover, 100% of the graduated ones were in the top 25% highest scoring students in their classes. So, the competition for getting into MIT starts right from high school. Reports suggest that candidates aim for a GPA of 4.13 or more to be considered for admission at MIT. The more the GPA, the better the will be admission chances.
2. Flaunt Your SAT/ACT scores
MIT also depend on standardized test scores to check the candidates’ readiness for college admissions. Applicants need to bag high scores in SAT or ACT to impress the application screening members at MIT.
Moreover, MIT allows candidates to super score their tests, which means that they can submit the highest score obtained for each section on any test sitting. The option gives breathing space to candidates who fail to leave their mark in early SAT/ACT attempts.
For the Class of 2025, MIT has also revealed the SAT/ACT cut-off. Here’s how it looks:
Middle score range of admitted students (25th and 75th percentiles)
| Test | Range |
| SAT Math | [780, 800] |
| SAT ERW | [730, 780] |
| ACT Math | [35, 36] |
| ACT Reading | [34, 36] |
| ACT English | [35, 36] |
| ACT Science | [34, 36] |
| ACT Composite | [34, 36] |
Distribution of SAT scores (Math)
| Score | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate |
| 750-800 | 11,342 | 1,081 | 10% |
| 700-740 | 1,613 | 23 | 1% |
| 650-690 | 758 | 0 | 0% |
| 600-640 | 312 | 0 | 0% |
| <600 | 254 | 0 | 0% |
Distribution of SAT scores (ERW)
| Score | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate |
| 750-800 | 6,557 | 736 | 11% |
| 700-740 | 4,200 | 276 | 7% |
| 650-690 | 2,099 | 73 | 3% |
| 600-640 | 869 | 12 | 1% |
| <600 | 554 | 7 | 1% |
Distribution of ACT scores (Composite)
| Score | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate |
| 34-36 | 5,597 | 537 | 10% |
| 31-33 | 1,428 | 54 | 4% |
| 28-30 | 467 | 5 | 1% |
| 25-27 | 236 | 1 | 0% |
| <25 | 164 | 0 | 0% |
Distribution of ACT scores (Math)
| Score | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate |
| 34-36 | 5,551 | 538 | 10% |
| 31-33 | 1,293 | 55 | 4% |
| 28-30 | 630 | 3 | 0% |
| 25-27 | 304 | 1 | 0% |
| <25 | 114 | 0 | 0% |
Distribution of ACT scores (Reading)
| Score | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate |
| 34-36 | 5,655 | 516 | 9% |
| 31-33 | 1,342 | 62 | 5% |
| 28-30 | 375 | 13 | 3% |
| 25-27 | 217 | 3 | 1% |
| <25 | 303 | 3 | 1% |
Distribution of ACT scores (English)
| Score | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate |
| 34-36 | 6,042 | 535 | 9% |
| 31-33 | 868 | 40 | 5% |
| 28-30 | 433 | 15 | 3% |
| 25-27 | 265 | 5 | 2% |
| <25 | 284 | 2 | 1% |
3. Shine Bright at Extracurriculars
MIT seeks candidates that are ready to accept challenges more than one at a time. And an easier way to find such a candidate would be to check how they score in the arena of extracurriculars.
Just like any other university admissions, MIT’s intake process also prefers candidates who shine in multiple areas besides academics. That’s why taking up more extracurricular changes during high school could improve your admission chances at MIT.
4. Write Thoughtful Essays
Candidates applying at MIT are required to write several short-answer essays showcasing their accomplishments. Applicants can use the essays to reflect on why MIT’s admission office should want them on the institute’s campus.
According to experts and former alumni, candidates should write separate essays one size fits all doesn’t work at MIT. You may need to be more specific on why the college should give you an admission in your writings. Moreover, you should always take feedback before submitting the essays.
What’s Different in MIT Admission Process?
Candidates need to write at least two additional SAT subject tests to become eligible for admissions at MIT. Candidates can take the test to point out their strengths in particular subjects or areas of interest.
The SAT additional tests options available in front of candidates are:
1. Math Level 1 or Math Level 2 subject test
2. One of the SAT Science Subject tests from Biology or Chemistry or Physics
Candidates are allowed to take subject tests as many times as they want in a year. MIT will only recognise the highest score achieved by the candidate in all attempts, providing enough opportunities to applicants to show their best.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are all Documents Required for the application?
Candidates need to submit a slew of documents while applying at MIT. Here’s the complete list:
- Academic transcripts
- IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/DET reports (If required)
- AP score
- SAT or ACT score reports
- Two letters of recommendation (one from a Math/Science teacher and one from a Humanities/Social Science/Language professor)
- Several supplementary short essays
- Financial documents
- Fee waiver form, if any
What is MIT’s application fees for undergraduate applications?
The application fee for undergraduate applications at MIT is $75. Candidates are allowed to apply for a fee waiver.
2. Can students work while studying at MIT?
Yes, students are allowed to work while studying at MIT. Moreover, students on F-1 visas don’t have to go anywhere far, as they can work for up to 20 hours per week while the university is in session in labs, department offices, or in a community centre.
3. How many colleges and campuses does MIT have?
There are six schools spread over the 166 acres MIT campus. These six schools offer courses in most of the disciplines. The latest addition to MIT was the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing that was set up in 2019.
4. How to Apply at MIT?
Unlike other colleges that allow candidates to submit their applications via Common App, MIT uses its in-house admission platform, the MIT Application Portal or MyMIT. Applicants need to register, upload the required documents and pay the application fee directly on the portal.
Candidates can contact MIT via post at Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts – 02139, USA, or via the website at www.mit.edu or via phone at +1-617-253-1000.
Summing Up!
SAT/ACT and bring your ‘A’ game while writing the essays to get the attention of MIT’s admission office. The cherry on the cake would be extracurricular activities that can help you stand out from the competition. So, prepare your application accordingly. All the best, friend!
