The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the best universities in the world. If you want to be one of the few students admitted to MIT each year, you need to make sure your application meets the requirements. In this article we explain exactly how to get to MIT,from the test results you need to the tips and tricks that will make your app stand out from the crowd. MIT is one of the most selective schools in the world.Currently, MIT's acceptance rate is 4.1%.That means it only accepts about 4 applicants for every 100 people who apply. A 4.1% acceptance rate means that MIT is extremely competitive. You need excellent grades, test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation to be considered. You can learn a lot about it.You can find out what MIT looks for in its students on the university's website.: “The MIT community is driven by a common purpose: to create a better world through education, research, and innovation. We are fun and quirky, elitist but not elitist, inventive and artistic, obsessed with numbers, and we welcome talented people no matter where they are." Although this statement is not the formal mission statement of MIT (which is also worth reading), says a lot about what MIT looks for in its candidates. MIT wants students who break the mold– They are incredibly smart, but they also think outside the box. If you want to get into MIT, don't follow the path of others, create your own. MIT students are really excited to learn and innovate. They are not interested in prizes (although they certainly deserve them)—They are motivated more by discovery and intellectual stimulation than by recognition. MIT students don't fit any specific profile except thisthey are all very, very talented. MIT empowers students to act early.This means that you can apply to MIT and be notified of your acceptance months before other students.However, you do not have to commit to MIT if you are accepted. The early application deadline for MIT is November 1 and students will be notified in mid-December.
How hard is it to get into MIT?
What is MIT looking for in its students?
Can you apply to MIT in advance?
In accordance withMIT Admission Statisticsfor the 2026 harvest,Applicants who applied early had a clear advantage over students who applied before the normal deadline date.(a 4.7% acceptance rate for early action applicants vs. a 2.2% acceptance rate for regular action applicants + those whose early action applications have been deferred).
MIT Application Requirements and Deadlines
MIT has its own app. It does not support joint sign-in, coalition sign-in, or universal sign-in. To complete the MIT application, you must submit the following:
- SAT or ACT scores
- four short essays
- Two letters of recommendation, one from a math or science teacher and one from a humanities, social studies, or language teacher
- However, your high school transcripts are not specific course requirements for MIT applicants.
The deadline for MIT Early Action isNovember 1st. Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-December.
The regular period for admission to MIT isJanuary 5. Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-March.
What GPA do I need to get into MIT?
MIT has a very low acceptance rate, so it is important that your application is as strong as possible to be considered. One of the most important parts of your MIT application is your high school degree.
MIT does not set a minimum GPA requirement and does not publish the average GPA of admitted candidates. (Schooldisapproving gestureProvide more admission statisticsas average test results.)However, given the caliber of students accepted to MIT, we can assume that the average GPA is quite high.. You should try to get mostly As with some high B's on your record.
MIT also pays attention to your course load: are you challenging yourself or are you taking the easy courses?You must take the most rigorous classes offered by your school.- whether it's honors, AP or IB courses - or even try taking courses at your local community college to show that you're not afraid of an academic challenge...and that you'll succeed too!
What test scores do I need to get admitted to MIT?
Not only do you need good grades to get into MIT, you also need good test scores. Let's take a look at the scores you need for MIT.
What SAT scores do I need to get admitted to MIT?
The middle 50% of MIT applicants earn between one1510 y 1580on a 1600 SAT scale.In other words, 75% of admitted students score above 1510 on the SAT.In other words, you should get as close to a perfect score as possible to ensure you're in a good position to participate (if you choose to submit test scores).
If you submit test scores, you must have extremely high SAT scores to be admitted to MIT.Fortunately, MIT uses the "Highest Section" classification (also known as "super rating").Basically, superscore means that MIT takes the highest section scores into account for all the SAT test data you submit.
MIT's superscore policy is good news for candidates: It means you can prepare and rescore without worrying about your previous scores being affected. If you're wondering how often you can (or should!) take the SAT, make sure you do.look at this article.
What ACT test scores do I need to get admitted to MIT?
Not surprisingly, admitted students also have high ACT scores. The top 75% of admitted students score at least 34 on the ACT. With so many applicants scoring over 34, a lower score isn't very impressive.
Fortunately, MIT also tops ACT scores for applicants.That is, if you take the ACT multiple times, MIT considers the highest score earned on each section.You can learn more about taking the ACT multiple timesHere.
Do I need TOEFL scores to get admitted to MIT?
are non-native speakers of Englishencouraged (but not required) to submit English test results. MIT accepts the following tests with the specified minimum and recommended scores.
| Minimum | recommended | |
| TOEFL | 90 | 100 |
| IELTS | 7 | 7.5 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Akademisch | Sixty-five | 70 |
| Cambridge English qualifications (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) | 185 | 190 |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 120 | 125 |
WITH application tests
MIT requires thatanswer some quick questions, instead of writing a long essay. You must answer four short prompts (each answer must beabout 200 words) about various aspects of your life: a description of your education, which department at MIT you are interested in, what you do for fun, how you contribute to your community, and a challenge you have faced in your life.
MIT Writing Prompts are specifically designed to get to the heart of what defines you... well,Of. Remember that MIT is interested in candidates who are interesting as individuals.MIT values students with unique quirks and passions, not just high test scores.
You submit your MIT application essays along with an activity sheet and self-assessed course form as Part 2 of your MIT application, regardless of whether you are applying for the Early Promotion Period or the Regular Admission Period.
Here are the indications of the MIT 2022-2023 essay:
- We know you lead a busy and hectic life, many of which are demanded of you. Tell us about something you do just for fun.
- Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, town, or village). How has this world shaped your dreams and aspirations?
- MIT brings together people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to improve the lives of others. Our students work in many ways to improve their communities, from facing the world's toughest challenges to being good friends. Describe one way you have worked with people other than yourself to contribute to your community.
- Tell us about a major challenge you've faced (that you'd like to share) or something that didn't go as planned. how did you handle the situation?
You can get more information about it.learn how to master your MIT essays in our in-depth article on the subject.
5 Tips for Getting Started at MIT
Getting into MIT is very difficult, but not impossible. MIT accepts around 1,400 students a year, and you could be one of them! Follow these tips to get started at MIT by making sure your app stands out from the crowd.
#1: Highlight the unique aspects of your identity
We've said it before and we'll say it again:MIT likes unique candidates.That's what they say on their website! Your essays are an opportunity to highlight the special facets of your personality. If you've created a cucumber video game for fun, now is the time to share it!
The more exclusive you are, the better! Your application will stand out even more if you take those interests and apply them to academic pursuits.Show that your academic curiosity intersects with your passions.
#2: Put a lot of effort into your education
MIT students are high achievers. To be accepted, you have to be one. You need to have a strong study plan for the SAT or ACT to get the best possible score.
If you're still in your freshman, sophomore, or freshman year of high school, plan on taking some advanced courses to boost your GPA. You have to be disciplined and work hard to keep up with the other candidates.
MIT wants students to thrive on its campus – you need to show that you are up to the academic challenges of MIT.
#3: Defeat your trials
Your essays are the best opportunity to showcase your unique skills and interests. You must work very hard on each of the five MIT essays. Don't wait until the last minute to write your MIT essays - start with plenty of time to review and receive feedback.
Remember that while there are no right ways to write an admissions essay, there are definitely some wrong ways! Be sure to go throughthis article before startingThis is how you avoid the traps.
#4: Convince MIT that you will achieve something great with your education
MIT doesn't want to admit students who are content to get their expensive degrees and stay home and do nothing with them.MIT wants to welcome students who will achieve things that will change the world,who make a positive contribution to their communities during their studies and help other students achieve great things too.
The best way to convince MIT that you'll do this while you're there?Contribute positively to your community while you are in high school. Past behavior is a predictor of future behavior.When you show that positive contributions are part of yourwork methodAs a student, MIT will make sure you bring that attitude to campus.
#5: Hiperfoco
You don't have to be captain of the football team, co-chairman of the debate team, and first fiddle to the president of the school orchestra to get accepted to MIT.Don't try to be good at everyone: pick an activity (or two) and pursue it relentlessly.
This is called peaking and it helps you stand out better.Don't strive to be generally good at many things, be tremendously, unbelievably good at one thing.
Instead of trying to run twenty different committees, pick the one that's special to you and give it your all. Put down the soccer ball and debate note cards and focus on the violin if that's what you love. Auditioning for world-class ensembles, entering pageants, basically just turning heads.
Don't strive to be above average at many things, excel at one.
What's next?
Starting your MIT application?Read our detailed guide to applying to MIT.
Your MIT essays will help make your application stand out. Read our detailed guide to these five short answer questions to find out exactly what to do..
Want to know what your chances are of being accepted to an Ivy Leave or Ivy League school? Check out our complete guide on Ivy League acceptance rates.
Do you want to get into Harvard or your personal university?
We can help.Prep Scholar Admissionsis the best Admissions Consulting Service in the world. we matchTop-tier Admissions Consultantswith ourProprietary, Data-Driven Admissions Strategies. We have overseen thousands of students who have been accepted into theirtop schools, from state universities to the Ivy League.
Learn more about PrepScholar admissionsto maximize your chances of entry.
Hayley Milliman
About the Author
Hayley Milliman is a former teacher and author who writes about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students consistently scored in the 99th percentile, thanks to her passion for making subjects digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.
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FAQs
Can you get into MIT with C's? ›
Yep, as others have said, your GPA (and standardized test scores) is just one thing MIT is going to consider. 2 Bs and 1 C definitely won't rule you out of MIT yet, but you are really going to need to crack down and focus these next two years.
How do I make my MIT application stand out? ›Your extracurriculars are also a key part of your MIT application. The best way to stand out with your extracurriculars is to emphasize your passion and leadership skills. You can do this by pursuing extracurriculars in a field related to your future major, sticking with them, and achieving leadership roles in them.
Do people get rejected in MIT EA? ›You can either be accepted, deferred, or not admitted from EA. Accepted means that you officially have a spot at MIT if you want it and you have to choose whether to attend or not by May 1st. Not admitted means that, unfortunately, you won't be attending MIT. You cannot reapply for RA after having been denied EA.
What is the lowest GPA MIT has accepted? ›There's no formula for gaining transfer admission to MIT. There's no minimum required GPA; however, competitive applicants typically have a 3.5 GPA or above, and mostly As in math and science courses.
Do you need straight A's for MIT? ›With a GPA of 4.17, MIT requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.
Is D failing at MIT? ›Beginning in sophomore year, “A” through “F” grades will be reported, with “D” considered a passing grade. See the Registrar's site for complete grading information. At the end of your first term at MIT you will receive both your official Pass/No Record grades and a copy of your unofficial “hidden” grades.
How does MIT decide who gets an interview? ›MIT sends out members of the MIT Educational Council, a group of 5000 previous MIT graduates, to interview prospective students each application cycle. MIT, just like other schools that interview, tries to ensure that every applicant has a chance to interview.
What kind of students does MIT look for? ›And, while we look for students who show qualities that would make them a good match for MIT – academically talented students interested in an analytical-based, hands-on education, who have shown true engagement, initiative, curiosity, and community mindedness – there is no one specific profile of student that we are ...
What does MIT look for in essays? ›There are four MIT supplemental essays, and you'll need to answer all four (approximately 200 words each) on various aspects of your life: a description of your background, what you do for fun, a way that you contribute to your community, and a challenge that you have faced in your life.
Does MIT look at weighted or unweighted? ›Even though there are no official MIT GPA requirements, you should aim for a 4.17 weighted GPA. If you're already a junior or senior figuring out how to get into MIT and your GPA is lower than 4.17, know that scores close to the average MIT SAT scores or ACT scores can counterbalance a lower GPA.
Does MIT look at personal statement? ›
Yes. In addition to the Common App personal statement, there are MIT essay questions. Most of these MIT essays have 250-word requirements, but one of the MIT essays is limited to just 100 words. Need tips on writing your Common App essay?
Is it better to be deferred or rejected? ›A rejection means the student was denied admission. However, a deferral means the student's application is still being considered. Being waitlisted, on the other hand, means the student will be admitted if space becomes available. Many perfectly qualified students are rejected, deferred, and waitlisted.
Is getting deferred from MIT a polite rejection? ›Being told “deferred” is NOT a courteous form of rejection. Because of the large number of people who are deferred and admitted at a later date, because MIT cannot afford to accept everybody as an EA student, they accept more RA students.
Does MIT interview everyone for admissions or after they have shortlisted some candidates? ›Interviews are not a required part of the MIT application. While we try to offer as many interviews as we can, we have limited availability and may not able to offer interviews to all applicants. If your interview is waived, it will not put you at a disadvantage in the admissions process.
What is the lowest GPA at Harvard? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
Does MIT have a 5.0 GPA? ›What you need to know. The MIT grade point average (GPA) is calculated on a 5.0 scale.
What is the difference between a 4.0 scale and a 5.0 scale? ›GPA Stands for Grade Point Average and is the number that represents your academic achievement in high school. GPAs that don't account for how hard your classes were are called unweighted and are reported on a 4.0 scale. GPAs that monitor how difficult coursework is are called weighted and are reported on a 5.0 scale.
Does MIT look at senior year grades? ›Most students apply to college at the beginning of their last year of high school, so final grades aren't available. Only admitted students are required to submit their final grades.…
Does MIT look at middle school grades? ›No, colleges will not look at your grades from middle school. Colleges focus on your grades from high school, which will be shown on your high school transcript. I hope this answers your question! Your counselors probably know more, but generally middle school grades don't impact your college application.
What is MIT acceptance rate by gender? ›MIT's acceptance rate for women is more than double that of male applicants (11% v 5%).
What GPA would you need to get into MIT? ›
There is no minimum required GPA, but competitive applicants generally have a GPA of 3.5 or above, and mostly A's in mathematics and science courses.
Why is getting into MIT so hard? ›Beyond the average GPA for students that get into MIT, the other reason why the school can be easily considered harder to get into than any of the Ivy League schools is because of the average standardized test scores that have been needed to get into MIT.