| Full-time undergraduate program |
The admissions process was pretty typical for a top-tier school.
However the instructions on the application form made the school
intimidating. I remember specific instructions NOT to include
supplemental material unless it was extra-ordinarily outstanding (i.e.
a musical recording with a world class symphony). Although the
application made the school seem haughty and uninterested in an
applicant's qualifications outside of what was asked, after getting
into MIT and talking to admission officers, I learned that it was just
an effective way to reduce unnecessary materials that often get sent. I
also learned that MIT likes to focus on students who show extraordinary
focus and dedication. Beyond academic excellence, MIT likes to see
students who have participated in university research, started their
own company, or done activities most normal high school students don't
even think about doing. Among my qualifications were a national music
scholarship, officership in multiple school organizations, and
participation in two sports teams. Talking to students that were
accepted, it sounds like success in extra-curricular activities can
definitely make up for lack of success in academics. Yet the large
majority of students score over 1500 on their SAT and were first or
second in their high school.
I interviewed with a local-area alum and it was very informal. He only
asked me why I wanted to attend MIT and then it turned into a Q&A
session about the school. I feel like the interview was a way for the
school to better gauge an applicant's desire to attend the school.
The essay is one of the most (if not the most) important pieces of the
application. Admission officers read it carefully and it is an
opportunity for applicants to describe their accomplishments and
failures. For example, an applicant can explain why his 3.0 GPA was the
result of working after school every day to help support his family's
income.
Lastly, MIT is a technical school and it likes to see applicants who
show a strong interest and capability in the sciences. Whether it be
through test scores or extracurricular activities, it is a strong plus
to show this trait.
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology Admission & Application Surveys
