MIT is one of the most exclusive and hard to get into universities in the United States, and that means that many students across the country and the world are trying their luck in order to get in. The main draw of this, and other schools in the same elite bracket, is that they can offer some of the best education in order to get students into much higher paying jobs. For the next few months, we will go over how to get into some of the best colleges in the United States in our blogs.
What is MIT?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private, grant-based University located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As the name implies, the most common degrees are in applied sciences, technology, and engineering. Although not an Ivy League, MIT is considered one of the top colleges in the country.
Testing Scores for Admission
According to the college, the average SAT score is around 1520, while the average ACT score is 34. MIT, unlike other prestigious universities, allows Score Choice and superscoring, meaning that students can pick their best test scores and are not punished for doing poorly on these standardized tests provided they take it less than 4 times. The average weighted GPA of acceptance is around 4.13, which means that GPA is just as important as the main two standardized tests.
Acceptance & Graduation Rate
MIT boasts one of the lowest acceptance rates among elite colleges at a meager 7%. For the class of 2023, only 1,500 students were accepted out of a total pool of more than 20,000 applicants. The graduation rate is very similar to that of Boston College at 92%.
How Are Applicants Rated?
MIT considers test scores and grades as highly important, but the college is also looking for the next generation of innovators and people willing to think outside of the box. Thus, the college is looking for creative thinkers who are willing and able to take risks. It also admires those who have a good work-life balance. Students should also consider taking college-level courses with biology, chemistry, and physics being the most important. Grab a copy of Nick The Tutor’s AP Study Guides for math & sciences.
Tips to Get Into MIT
- MIT does not use the common application, so applications must be done through their website. Students may have an advantage if they visit the campus or meet with former students and alumni.
- MIT offers many summer programs and summer camps, where students looking to attend can get hands-on experience and learn what it is like to attend a university focused on applied sciences and technology.
- Extracurricular activities are equally as important as grades and test scores when it comes to applying and getting into MIT. Students should aim to take multiple extracurriculars in high school, and they should try to avoid sports if possible to focus on academic extracurricular activities.
- MIT does not require a long personal statement. Instead, they ask for students to answer a series of shorter essay prompts that make students think outside the box a little more than most prestigious universities do.
How Does MIT Compare to Other Top Universities?
According to the US News & World Report’s Best Colleges Rankings for 2020, MIT is tied for third along with Yale University and Columbia University. MIT has an absurdly high yield rate at 77%, which means that 77% of the accepted students who enroll end up attending the university. Want more information about how MIT compared to other schools? Check out the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2023 or US. News & World Reports’ Best College 2022: Find the Best College for You!.
Are you or will you be attending MIT?
Stock up on gear to show your pride for MIT. Grab this t-shirt, decals for your laptop, or this MIT pennant.
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