MIT

The MIT application is outside of the Common Applications. The questions are designed not so much to get to know you on a personal level, but as a STEM student.

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.

Be very specific about your field of study. They want to know exactly what motivates and inspires you academically. “I don’t know,” is not an option.

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.

Think outside of STEM, they’re looking for a weird or quirky interest. The more interesting ones resonate the most.

How has the world you come from—including your opportunities, experiences, and challenges—shaped your dreams and aspirations?

Pick a STEM activity and talk about how this has shaped you, impacted your life, and maybe even made you a better student. Remember, MIT LOVES collaboration.

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.

Here it is! The collaborative essay. Success in STEM doesn’t happen alone, it happens with others, working together to solve problems that change lives.

How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it?

MIT wants to see critical thinking skills. Did you fix something? Did you bring an important level of control over a situation? Brag a little!

Depending on the question, we’re looking for responses of approximately 100–200 words each. There is also one final, open-ended, additional-information text box where you can tell us anything else you think we really ought to know.