The Freshman Application Is Now Live by Chris Peterson SM '13

The freshman application is now live on MyMIT. Our online application guide, with an overview of each of the components of the application, including essays, letters of recommendation, required tests, interviews, and supplemental portfolios, is here.

Our essay questions this year are (100-250 words each, depending on the question): 

• 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.
• Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why?
• At MIT, we seek to develop in each member of our community the ability and passion to work collaboratively for the betterment of humankind. How have you improved the lives of others in your community? (This could be one person or many, at school or at home, in your neighborhood or your state, etc.)
• Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?
• Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something important that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

I can't emphasize this enough: make sure to review, and meet, the dates and deadlines, get everything in complete and on time, and generally take care of business. An overview of the most salient dates and deadlines:

Early Action

• October 20: Last day to contact your interviewer and set up an interview
• November 1: Deadline for Early Action application
• November: Last month to take standardized tests for Early Action application
• Mid-December: Early Action applicants notified of admission decision (admitted, deferred, or denied) 

Regular Action

• December 10: Last day to contact your interviewer and set up an interview
• January 1: Deadline for Regular Action application
• January: Last month to take standardized tests for Regular Action application. If you take the January test, you must list MIT as a school to receive your scores when you take the test or we will not receive them in time for our review.
• Mid-March: Regular Action applicants notified of admission decision (admitted, waitlisted, or denied) 

Also remember that all applicants can now apply for either early or regular action. The transfer application is not live yet but should be soon. 

I know the college application process can be, like, emotionally complex for applicants; it is for us too. Know that there is no formula for getting in, and that, for the people who work in our office, it's more than a job. All you can do is your best. Good luck.