Admissions

If you dream of MIT then apply early action! It is not binding, but it shows commitment to MIT on your part. Additionally, if you don't get in early, don't be discouraged. Most recruited athletes are accepted early and spots are limited- that's just how it is.

Are you unsure if MIT is for you? Many doubt that MIT can provide a normal college life for students. Please don't believe such speculative talk and take a visit for yourself. You will be surprised how normal and friendly the people are.

Be yourself on your application. Don't try to be who you think MIT wants you to be. The admissions staff know how much effort goes into each application, so they really take the time to read each one and get to know the student who submitted it. Make sure you have something (outside of your schoolwork) that you are very passionate about....whether it is a sport, a musical instrument, or a hobby you've had since childhood. MIT wants students who are interesting, the kind of people who will make a difference in the school rather than just existing for four years.

Don't stress over getting perfect scores and perfect grades. MIT is looking for interesting students, who have a life outside of school (but who are also smart...). They are looking for passion, whether it be in Math Olympiads, or knitting, or anything in between. If you have good grades and scores, make sure that you let them know who you are in your application. Being yourself is most important.

there's no magic formula to get accepted to mit. focus on really presenting your best self in the admissions essays. warning: just because the essays are short doesn't mean they should take less time than the 650 word statements for ivies like princeton. talk about the things you love the most (not the things you think are most impressive). be honest and lighthearted. and have fun!

Don't try and just get by. It's possible - in fact, many students do it every year and there are several super seniors that I know personally. But it's not worth it. At all. To lose out on the opportunities presented is a complete waste of the financial strain you might have to put on yourself and your family. Be ready to have a lot of fun and have the time of your life...but also be ready to work hard.

If you are enthusiastic about learning and want to make a difference in the world or discover something new, MIT is a great place to go. In high school I would recommend joining groups that you are sincerely interested in, and if there is no group for your interested start one of your own. Academics are important, so work hard in your classes, but more important is your drive to excel and learn. If you really want to be at MIT, do what you love to do as best as you can.

Be prepared to be challenged. The classes are going to push your limits and you may find it nearly impossible to do the homework at times, but remember that in the end, all the work you do will get you closer to the field of science that interests you the most.

I came to MIT expecting instruction by professors to be excellent, very much similar to most of my high school teachers. The sad truth is MIT is a research institution and the quality of instruction depends solely on the professors doing the research, which often is less than adequate. However, make good to take advantage of this fact by doing undergrad research opportunity projects (UROP), which far too few undergrads actually do. The job of MIT professors is to do research, not to teach. While they are required to teach and some professors put their heart into lecturing, in general, this is not the case. Having 6k grads and only 4k undergrads, these numbers alone show what kind of institution MIT is. Regardless, expect to make very good friends who will help you get through MIT together. Prove to yourself that MIT is best for you, not the other way around. The most important thing to exhume on your application is to demonstrate perseverance if you think MIT is a great match for you.

Be prepared to meet some of the most intelligent, most interesting people you will ever know. Know your limits. Know when to ask for help. Be passionate about something. I would say the thing that I have noticed about MIT is that everyone has something they truly love.

It is important to take difficult classes in high school, especially in math, biology and chemistry. Moreover it is important to make sure that you are having fun and that you like what you are doing. It is so much easier to work harder when you are motivated and passionate about what you are doing.