Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · private nonprofit

Official site ↗

Admissions

Admit rate4.7%
Applicants
Middle-50% SAT1510–1580
Middle-50% ACT34–36
Avg GPA
Test policy
Avg net price / yr$19,813
Grad rate96%
Median earnings (10 yr)$143,372
Sourcescorecard_bulk · 2025

Application requirements

Early Action2025-11-01
Regular / Rolling2026-01-05
Application fee$75 (US) · $75 (intl)
Personal essayNot required
Writing supplementShort answer essays (~100-200 words each)
Test policyalways required
Teacher recommendations2
Counselor recommendationRequired
Mid-year reportRequired

Source: the school's official admissions pages, 2025-26 cycle. Confirm on the college's site — requirements can change mid-cycle.

Supplemental essays

  1. What field of study appeals to you the most right now? (Note: Applicants select from a drop-down list.) Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you. (100 words max)· ~100 words
  2. We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.· ~200 words
  3. While some reach their goals following well-trodden paths, others blaze their own trails achieving the unexpected. In what ways have you done something different than what was expected in your educational journey?· ~200 words
  4. MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds together to collaborate, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to lending a helping hand. Describe one way you have collaborated with others to learn from them, with them, or contribute to your community together.· ~200 words
  5. How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn't expect? What did you learn from it?· ~200 words

Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).