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College Essays

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For the 2021-2022 admissions cycle, MIT admitted about 4% of applicants. If you want to be one of these lucky few, you'll need to write some killer MIT essays as part of your own Massachusetts Institute of Technology application.

In this article, we'll outline the MIT essay prompts and teach you how to write MIT supplemental essays that will help you stand out from the thousands of other applicants.

What Are the MIT Essays?

Like most major colleges and universities, MIT requires its applicants to submit essay examples as part of your application for admission.

MIT has its own application and doesn't accept the Common Application or the Coalition Application. The MIT essay prompts you'll answer aren't found on any other college's application.

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.

The MIT essay prompts are designed specifically to get to the heart of what makes you you . These essays help the admissions committee get a holistic picture of you as a person, beyond what they can learn from other parts of your application.

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2022-2023 MIT Essay Prompts

The MIT supplemental essays are short, and each one addresses a different aspect of your identity and accomplishments.

You'll submit your essays along with an activities list and a self-reported coursework form as Part 2 of your MIT application. MIT structures its application this way because they rely on a uniform application to help them review thousands of applicants in the most straightforward and efficient way possible.

You need to respond to all five of the MIT essay prompts for your application.

Here are the 2022-2023 MIT essay prompts:

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.

Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?

MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community.

Tell us about a significant challenge you’ve faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

Now that we know what the prompts are, let's learn how to answer them effectively.

MIT Essays, Analyzed

In this section, we'll be looking at each of the five MIT essays in depth.

Remember, every applicant must answer every one of the MIT essay prompts , so you don't get to choose which essay you would like to write. You have to answer all five of the MIT essay prompts (and do so strongly) in order to present the best application possible.

Let's take a look at the five MIT supplemental essay questions and see what the admissions committee wants to hear from each.

MIT Essay Prompt #1

This MIT essay prompt is very broad. The structure of the prompt indicates that the committee is interested in learning about your curiosity inside and outside of the classroom, so don't feel like you have to write about your favorite parts of school.

This MIT essay is your opportunity to show a different side of your personality than the admissions committee will see on the rest of your application. This essay is your chance to show yourself as a well-rounded person who has a variety of different interests and talents.

Choose a specific activity here. You don't need to present a laundry list of activities—simply pick one thing and describe in detail why you enjoy it. You could talk about anything from your love of makeup tutorials on YouTube to the board game nights you have with your family. The key here is to pick something that you're truly passionate about.

Don't feel limited to interests relating to your potential major. MIT's second prompt is all about that, so in this first prompt forget about what the school "wants to read" and be yourself! In fact, describing your experience in or passion for a different field will better show that you're curious and open to new ideas.

MIT Prompt #2

Don't repeat information that the committee can find elsewhere on your application. Take the time to share fun, personal details about yourself.

For instance, do you make awesome, screen-accurate cosplays or have a collection of rock crystals from caving expeditions? Think about what you love to do in your spare time.

Be specific—the committee wants to get a real picture of you as a person. Don't just say that you love to play video games, say exactly which video games you love and why.

MIT wants to know about your community—the friends, family, teammates, etc. who make up your current life. All of those people have affected you in some way—this prompt is your chance to reflect on that influence and expand on it. You can talk about the deep bonds you have and how they have affected you. Showing your relationships to others gives the committee a better idea of how you will fit in on MIT's campus.

All in all, this MIT essay is a great opportunity to have some fun and show off some different aspects of your personality. Let yourself shine!

MIT Prompt #3

This MIT prompt is by far the most specific, so be specific in your answer. Pick one experience that's meaningful to you to discuss here. The prompt doesn't specify that you have to talk about something academic or personal. It can be anything that you've done where you have contributed to any community—your dance troupe, gaming friends, debate team teammates. A community can be anything; it doesn't just refer to your hometown, scholastic or religious community.

The trick to answering this prompt is to find a concrete example and stick to it.

Don't, for instance, say that you try to recycle because the environment is meaningful to you, because it won't sound sincere. Rather, you can talk about why picking up garbage in the park where you played baseball as a child has deeper meaning because you're protecting a place that you've loved for a long time. You should talk about something that is uniquely important to you, not the other thousands of students that are applying to MIT.

Pick something that is really meaningful to you. Your essay should feel sincere. Don't write what you think the committee wants to hear. They'll be more impressed by a meaningful experience that rings true than one that seems artificial or implausible.

MIT Prompt #4

This question sets you up for success: it targets your area of interest but doesn't pigeon-hole you.

This essay is where your formal education will be most important. They want to know what kind of academic life you may lead in college so keep it brief, but allow your excitement for learning to drive these words. You are, after all, applying to MIT—they want to know about your academic side.

You should demonstrate your knowledge of and affinity for MIT in this essay. Don't just say that you admire the MIT engineering program—explain exactly what it is about the engineering program that appeals to you.

You can call out specific professors or classes that are of interest to you. Doing so helps show that you truly want to go to MIT and have done your research.

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If you love playing games with kids at the Boys & Girls Club, the third MIT essay prompt is the time to talk about that passion.

MIT Open-Ended Text Box

This is one of the most open-ended options that you'll find on a college application! Here's one last chance for you to let MIT get to know the real you—the you that didn't quite get to come out during the previous four essays.

MIT wants to know exactly who you are, but, just as a word of caution, make sure your answer is appropriate for general audiences.

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How to Write a Great MIT Essay

Regardless of which MIT essay prompt you're responding to, you should keep in mind the following tips for how to write a great MIT essay.

#1: Use Your Own Voice

The point of a college essay is for the admissions committee to have the chance to get to know you beyond your test scores, grades, and honors. Your admissions essays are your opportunity to make yourself come alive for the essay readers and to present yourself as a fully fleshed out person.

You should, then, make sure that the person you're presenting in your college essays is yourself. Don't try to emulate what you think the committee wants to hear or try to act like someone you're not.

If you lie or exaggerate, your essay will come across as insincere, which will diminish its effectiveness. Stick to telling real stories about the person you really are, not who you think MIT wants you to be.

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You're the star of the show in your MIT essays! Make sure your work reflects who you are as a student and person, not who you think the admissions committee wants you to be.

#2: Avoid Clichés and Overused Phrases

When writing your MIT essays, try to avoid using clichés or overused quotes or phrases.

These include quotations that have been quoted to death and phrases or idioms that are overused in daily life. The college admissions committee has probably seen numerous essays that state, "You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take."  Strive for originality.

Similarly, avoid using clichés, which take away from the strength and sincerity of your work.

Your work should be straightforward and authentic.

#3: Check Your Work

It should almost go without saying, but you want to make sure your MIT essays are the strongest example of your work possible. Before you turn in your MIT application, make sure to edit and proofread your essays.

Your work should be free of spelling and grammar errors. Make sure to run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit.

It's a good idea to have someone else read your MIT essays, too. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend. Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure you haven't missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it possibly can be.

#4: Demonstrate Your Love for MIT

MIT's five essay prompts are specific to MIT. Keep that in mind as you're answering them, particularly when you attack prompt two.

Show why MIT is your dream school—what aspects of the education and community there are most attractive to you as a student.

MIT receives thousands of applications, from students who have different levels of interest in the university.

The more you can show that you really want to go to MIT, the more the school will be interested in your application. Your passion for MIT may even give you a leg up on other applicants.

What's Next?

Exploring your standardized testing options? Click here for the full list and for strategies on how to get your best ACT score .

Are you happy with your ACT/SAT score, or do you think it should be higher? Learn what a good SAT / ACT score is for your target schools .

Your MIT essays are just one part of your college application process. Check out our guide to applying to college   for a step-by-step breakdown of what you'll need to do.

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Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics 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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Before you Arrive – Spring

This page lists information that you need to do before you arrive for the spring semester., mit id and kerberos id.

You will receive you personalized Kerberos ID/Athena account coupon from the Admissions Office. This coupon provides information on how to register for an account. Once you register, you may obtain as obtain web certificates, and be able to access important MIT information. Visit the  IS&T web site  for complete information and a step-by-step guide on computing at MIT for students. You must also register for  MIT Duo two-factor authentication for Touchstone .

You will obtain your MIT ID from the Atlas Service Center . MIT will provide you with your official MIT ID card when you arrive. You have the option of submitting a photo of yourself using the MIT  MyCard site ahead of time or when you arrive on campus. To obtain prior to arrival, visit MIT  MyCard site and click ‘Submit ID Photo ‘link. The specifications for the size and quality of photo are provided on this site as well. Once you arrive on campus, you can drop off your luggage at the front desk of you dorm (if living on campus) and go directly to the MIT Card Office during open hours to pick your MIT ID.

Transfer students have the option of selecting MIT Housing or off-campus housing. The  MIT Undergraduate Housing Office  will contact you directly and offer you the opportunity to participate in the Undergraduate Housing System by submitting a Housing Form by the set deadline. For more information, go to  http://studentlife.mit.edu/housing/undergraduate-housing​  or contact  [email protected]  or (617) 253-1493.

Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups:  Many students enjoy living in one of our fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (known as FSILGs). As a transfer student, you may be interested in exploring more about this living option. See the  FSILG website  for complete information about FSILGs at MIT.

Off-Campus Housing:  Boston, Cambridge, and surrounding communities are rich with diversity, intellectual and cultural opportunities. Check out the MIT  Off-Campus Housing website  at to find information on short-term housing, apartments, realtors rental fees, leases, etc. Access to this site requires valid  MIT web certificates . NOTE: housing availability in the city of Boston and surrounding areas is limited, so please do not wait until you arrive to begin your search.  If you prefer off-campus housing, we encourage you to begin your search now. If you have any questions about off-campus housing, please contact the Off-Campus Housing Office at (617) 253-1493; email:  [email protected]

AP and Transfer Credit

The process for obtaining MIT credit for study at your previous university is outlined under  AP and Transfer Credit  in the First Year at MIT section. MIT will grant credit for some of your previous study, including scores on AP or international exams as well as courses passed at your previous university. Preparation for the transfer credit process should begin prior to your arrival to MIT.

First Year Essay Evaluation (FEE)

All incoming students must take the FEE unless they have already scored a 5 on either the AP Language and Composition test or Literature and Composition test, or a 7 on either the English A or B Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. If you have sent one of these scores to MIT, you are exempt from the FEE and do not need to take further action.

The first step in completing MIT’s undergraduate  Communication Requirement  is the  First Year Essay Evaluation (FEE) . It assesses your competency in expository writing to provide you and your advisor with a detailed evaluation that will help inform your selection of classes for the first semester and beyond. Based on the results of the FEE, you will be able to enroll in any CI-H (Communication-Intensive in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) class during your first year at MIT, in any CI-HW (Foundational Writing) class, or in 21G.222 or 21G.220, which are writing classes specifically designed for bilingual students. Patty Fernandes of the Registrars Office will contact you by email to arrange for you to take the FEE if you do not have a 5 on the AP.

Major Declaration

Transfer students begin their MIT career in the academic department of their declared major. Upon admission, you will have the opportunity to inform Leslie Bottari what your major is so that she can put you in contact with Undergraduate Administrator  of your academic department prior to your arrival. They will assign you to a faculty advisor who will meet with you to register for your Spring classes. The Undergraduate Administrator will be your primary contact in your new department who will be able to help you with your transition to MIT. If you are planning to double major , you must still declare one major initially and may declare a second one later on.

If you change your major selection at any point prior to arrival or within the first few weeks of classes, you need to inform  Leslie Bottari  as soon as possible to ensure the accuracy of your academic records in the Registrars Office.

If you are interested in double majoring, you may declare it after completing one semester at MIT. Although it is possible for transfer students to double major, it can be challenging to complete dual degrees within 3 years. If you need an additional semester(s) to complete a second major, you are not guaranteed financing and would need to visit your  financial aid counselor  for guidance.

Financial Aid

MIT Student Financial Services  can provide you with all the information that you need about your finances at MT including financial aid, tuition, and fees. If you are applying for financial aid from MIT, you should visit the pages on financial aid for prospective transfers. You and your parents will want to know what the tuition billing dates are for the spring by visiting the Billing section.

Students at MIT are assigned Financial Service Representatives, according to the letters of their last name. They will be able to assist you with your questions about financial aid applications, eligibility, awards, your student account and tuition payments.

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Massachusetts law requires new MIT students to meet a number of medical requirements before registering for classes. All new MIT students must give MIT a medical history signed by a physician, have a complete physical exam, and document immunity against certain diseases.  Medical Report Forms  can be downloaded online and must be submitted by January 19, 2024.

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First-year application: The first-year application is for those planning to enter college in the fall of 2024 who have not matriculated to another degree-granting institution. Transfer application: The transfer application is intended for students who will have completed at least one year of college/university before entering MIT. Before you start!  Please review the eligibility requirements for the first-year application and the transfer application . And if you're confused about which application is best for you after reviewing the two eligibility pages, reach out to us —we're happy to help!  _____________________________________________________________________________________ Did you accidentally start a transfer application and need to switch to a first-year? Please fill out this request form . IMPORTANT NOTE: We will not be able to reverse this change, so please read the eligibility requirements carefully to choose the correct application type.  Gmail users:   MIT Admissions emails frequently go to the Promotions and Spam folders. Make sure you save our email ([email protected]) to your preferred contacts so you do not miss emails from us. 

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MIT Essays that Worked

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MIT Essays that Worked – Introduction

In this guide, we’ll provide you with several MIT essays that worked. After each, we’ll discuss elements of these MIT essay examples in depth. By reading these sample MIT essays and our expert analysis, you’ll be better prepared to write your own MIT essay. Before you apply to MIT, read on for six MIT essays that worked.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university in Cambridge , Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1861, MIT has become one of the world’s foremost institutions for science and technology . With MIT ranking highly year after year, the low MIT acceptance rate is no surprise. Knowing how to get into MIT means knowing about MIT admissions, the MIT application, and how to write MIT supplemental essays.

MIT Supplemental Essay Requirements

The MIT application for 2022–2023 requires four short essays. Each essay should be up to 200 words in length.

MIT essay prompts :

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., describe the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). how has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations.

  • MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community.
  • Tell us about a significant challenge you’ve faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

MIT changes the wording of these prompts a little bit every year. As a result, our MIT essay examples may look a little different from the prompts to which you will be crafting your own responses. However, there is a lot of overlap between current and past prompts and often the underlying questions are the same. In other words, even if the prompts differ, most of our MIT essays that worked are still helpful. Even MIT essay examples for prompts that are gone can be useful as a general sample college essay.

As one of the best universities worldwide, MIT is nearly impossible to get into without a good strategy . Even if you don’t have a stellar ACT or SAT score , your essays may impress admissions officers. Let’s briefly analyze each prompt so we know what to look for in MIT essays that worked.

MIT Essay Prompt Breakdown

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1. Extracurricular essay

First, you’ll write about an activity you enjoy, whether it’s baking, doing magic tricks, or writing fanfiction. Remember, strong MIT essay examples for this prompt show genuine enthusiasm and explain why the activity is meaningful. Choose a hobby you can write about with gusto while also showing what it means to you.

2. Your Background Essay

Next, we have a prompt asking about your background. This is a classic question; in every other sample college essay, you find answers to this prompt. This question is intentionally open-ended, allowing you to write about any aspect of your background you’d like. In the MIT essays that worked, the “world” has something important to say about the author’s values or outlook.

3. Community Essay

Then, the third essay asks how you work with diverse groups to contribute to a larger community. MIT wants to see that you can work toward community goals while valuing diverse perspectives. But don’t worry. They don’t expect you to have solved world hunger—pick something that demonstrates what community means to you.

4. Significant Challenge Essay

Lastly, we have the failure essay, which seeks to answer how you persist in the face of adversity. Notice the prompt doesn’t mention “overcoming,” so this can be a time that you completely flat-out failed. Everyone handles setbacks differently, so effective MIT essay examples illustrate the author’s unique way of managing failure. It doesn’t have to be a particularly unique or unusual failure, although that may help you stand out .

How to Apply to MIT

mit essays that worked

MIT doesn’t accept the Common or Coalition Application. Instead, there’s a school-specific application for all prospective students. The 2022 Early Action MIT application deadline was November 1. The Regular Action MIT application deadline is usually January 1, but it’s been extended this year to January 5, 2023. The financial aid information deadline is February 15, 2023.

Depending on your admissions round, you need to submit all materials to the Apply MIT portal by the specified deadline.

MIT application requirements

  • Basic biographical information, including your intended area of study
  • Four supplemental essays
  • A brief list of four extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you
  • Self-reported coursework information
  • A Secondary School Report from your guidance counselor, including your transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation : MIT recommends one from a STEM teacher and one from a humanities teacher.
  • SAT or ACT scores —MIT is not test-optional for 2022–2023!
  • The February Updates form with your midyear grades (goes live in mid-February)

Furthermore, interviews are offered to many—but not all—students; not being offered an interview doesn’t negatively reflect on your application. At the end of this article, we compile more resources regarding the rest of the application. If you have specific questions about your application, reach out to the MIT admissions office .

Now that we’ve discussed the prompts and MIT admissions process, let’s read some MIT essays that worked. We have six sample MIT essays to help you learn how to write MIT supplemental essays. And, if you’re looking for more tips on managing the application process, watch our webinar on Building Your College Applications Timeline!

MIT Essay Examples #1 – Cultural Background Essay

The first of our MIT essay examples responds to a prompt that isn’t exactly on this year’s list. Let’s take a look. The prompt for this MIT essay that worked is:

Please tell us more about your cultural background and identity in the space below (100 word limit). If you need more than 100 words, please use the Optional section on Part 2.

Although the wording isn’t identical to any of this year’s prompts, it is similar to prompt #2. Remember, essay prompt #2 asks about the world you come from, which is essentially your background. However, MIT essay examples for this prompt speak more specifically about cultural background. With a shorter word limit, concise language is even more critical in MIT essays that worked for this prompt.

MIT Essays That Worked #1

My dad is black and my mom is white. But I am a shade of brown somewhere in between. I could never wear my mom’s makeup like other girls. By ten, I was tired seeing confused stares whenever I was with my dad. I became frustrated and confused. I talked to my biracial friends about becoming confident in my divergent ancestral roots. I found having both an understanding of black issues in America and of the middle class’ lack of exposure gave me greater clarity in many social issues. My background enabled me to become a compassionate, understanding biracial woman.

Why This Essay Worked

MIT essays that worked effectively show that the author can think about the bigger picture. This author describes their experiences as a biracial woman while addressing the wider scope of racial issues. While you shouldn’t reach to reference irrelevant societal problems, MIT essays that worked do often incorporate big ideas.

In addition, this author mentions conversations with biracial friends. MIT essay examples often include collaboration and community, and this one is no different. Often, sample MIT essays about cultural background will connect that heritage with one’s community. It shows that you value what makes you unique and can find it in others.

Lastly, strong MIT essay examples display reflection and personal growth. Do you understand the ways your experiences have shaped you, and can you write about them? Can you point to areas where you’ve grown as a result of your experiences? MIT essays that worked link the topic and the writer’s personal growth or values.

MIT Essays That Worked #2 – Activities Essay

The second of our MIT essay examples answers a prompt that’s on this year’s list.

In other words, write about a hobby or extracurricular activity—and what it says about you. As we mentioned above, MIT essays that worked for this prompt aren’t all about lofty ambitions. If you don’t read textbooks in your spare time, don’t write an essay claiming that’s your hobby. Be honest, thoughtful, and enthusiastic while finding a way to make your uniqueness show through. Let’s read one of many MIT essays that worked for this prompt.

MIT Essays That Worked #2

Adventuring. Surrounded by trees wider than I am tall on my right and the clear, blue lake on my left. I made it to the top after a strenuous hike and it was majestic. There is no feeling like the harmony I feel when immersing myself in nature on a hike or running through the mud to train for my sprint triathlon or even fighting for a pair of cute boots on black Friday. I take pleasure in each shade of adventure on my canvas of life, with each deliberate stroke leading me to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

MIT essays that worked use precise language to appeal to readers’ emotions. Note words like “strenuous,” “majestic,” “harmony,” and “deliberate.” The strategic use of vivid words like this can strengthen MIT essay examples and heighten their impact. But don’t overuse them—like paintings use a variety of shades, you should play with the intensity of your words.

Another benefit of colorful language is conveying meaning more deeply and precisely. Well-written MIT essay examples layer on meaning: this author likes adventuring through nature as well as life. With effective diction, you can make the most of the words you’re given. Consider using metaphors like in this MIT essay conclusion, comparing life to a canvas.

Now, think about your impression of the author after reading this. They’re active, ambitious, and, above all, adventurous. We know they like to challenge themselves (training for a triathlon) but also like fashion (buying cute boots). And we see from their concluding sentence that they have no intention of slowing down or pulling back. In under 100 words, we’ve got a clear snapshot of their worldview and see their adventuring spirit fits MIT.

MIT Essay Examples #3 – Why Major Essay

The third of our MIT essays that worked answers a prompt that isn’t on our list for 2022.

Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why?

This is a classic “Why Major” essay, asked by hundreds of colleges every year. Obviously, the prompt asks about your academic interests . However, it subtly asks about school fit : why is MIT the best place for you to pursue this interest? Although this sample college essay prompt isn’t in this cycle, you should read as many sample MIT essays as possible. MIT essays that worked for the “Why Major” essay prompt illustrated the author’s academic interests and motivations. Let’s see what the next of our sample MIT essays has to say.

MIT Essays That Worked #3

My first step in to the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research was magical. My eyes lit up like Christmas lights and my mind was racing faster than Usain Bolt. I was finally at home, in a community where my passions for biology, chemistry, math, and engineering collided, producing treatments to save lives everywhere.

I pictured myself in a tie-dyed lab coat, watching a tumor grow in a Petri disk then determining my treatment’s effectiveness. If I am admitted to MIT, I look forward to majoring in bioengineering and shaping and contributing to the forefront of bioengineering research.

Earlier, we said that MIT essays that worked use vivid language to drive home their point. This sample college essay is no different. Describing their instantaneous reaction, the author pulls us into their headspace to share in their delight. Following that, they show us their vision for the future. Finally, they state directly how they’ll work toward that vision at MIT.

This author points out that bioengineering aligns with their interests across math and the sciences. There’s no rule saying you can’t be purely into math, but MIT strives to cultivate the world’s leading minds. Many MIT essays that worked present the author as a multifaceted person and intellectual. If you write a Why Major essay for a STEM field, it may be worth your while to take an interdisciplinary angle.

Among other parts of these MIT essays that worked in the author’s favor is the mention of an experience. Many model MIT essay examples directly reference the author’s life experiences to connect them with their interest. For instance, this author frames their essay with a visit to a cancer research institute. We don’t know if it’s a tour or an internship—the reason for their visit is less important than the impact.

MIT Essay Examples #4 – Community Essay

mit essays that worked

At this point, we’ve gone through half of our MIT essay examples. Moving on, we’ll read three MIT essays that worked for prompts (nearly) identical to this year’s. Next, we’ve got a prompt asking about community contributions.

At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways,  from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc.

It’s very similar to this year’s third prompt, with one crucial difference. The current prompt asks for “one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you .” While past MIT essay examples for this prompt could have focused on individual efforts, now you should focus on group efforts. In particular, groups where “people who are different from you” also play key roles. This is intentionally open-ended, allowing for endless kinds of differences.

With that said, let’s continue with our MIT essay examples.

MIT Essays That Worked #4

“I’m going to Harvard,” my brother proclaimed to me. My jaw dropped. My little brother, the one who I taught to pee in the toilet, the one who played in the pool with me every day of the summer for 7 years, the one who threw me in the trash can 3 months ago, had finally realized the potential I have seen in him since he was a little kid. And I was thrilled.

He told me that after attending the Harvard basketball program, he knew that attending college was the perfect opportunity for him to continue playing the sport he loved as well as get a very good education. His end goal (this is where I almost cried) was to become an engineer at Nike. The best part, though, is that he asked me to help him achieve it. 

I was astounded that he thought so highly of me that he trusted me to help him. That night, we began discussing various fields of engineering that he could pursue, as well as the internship opportunities that he classified as “so cool.” As soon as school started, I bought him a planner and taught him to keep his activities organized. I go over homework with him and my baby brother almost every night.

I love using my knowledge to contribute to my family with my knowledge. I am so proud of my brother and our progress. I cannot wait to see him grow as he works to achieve his dream.

Perhaps while reading the prompt, you thought all MIT essays that worked discussed setting up a food bank or working at a hospital. Not so! What really matters for this essay is the impact the community has on you. In sample MIT essays like this one, we see just how important the writer’s family is to them. If your family means the world to you, don’t shy away from writing about them!

On the other hand, while many sample MIT essays discuss family, the best ones remember to center the author. It may seem selfish, but in an applicant pool of over 30,000 , you must stand out. You have to beat that low MIT acceptance rate by putting your best foot forward. Notice how the author’s feelings and thoughts show through in their interactions and reactions. Even in recounting their past with their little brother, you see them as a caring, playful older sibling. They’re thoroughly proud of their brother, his ambitions, and the trust he’s placed in them.

MIT Essay Examples #5 – Describe Your World 

The fifth of our MIT essay examples answers a prompt in circulation this year. Hooray!

This “world” is open-ended to allow writers to explore the communities and people that have shaped them. This essay calls for deep introspection; can you find a common thread connecting you to your “world”? Some MIT essays that worked discuss family traditions, other city identities, etc. Whatever you choose, it should reflect who you are now and who you want to become.

MIT Essays That Worked #5

I was standing on the top row of the choir risers with my fellow third graders. We were beside the fourth graders who were beside the fifth graders. My teacher struck the first chords of our favorite song and we sang together, in proud call and response “Ujima, let us work together. To make better our community. We can solve! Solve our problems with collective work and responsibility.”

Then the students playing African drums and the xylophones on the floor began the harmonious percussion section and we sang again with as much passion as nine-year-olds can muster. This was my world. As a child, my community was centered around my school. At my school we discovered that if you love something enough, and work hard enough for it, you can do great things for both yourself and others around you.

In the years since I left, I reflected back on the lessons I learned at school. I determined I wanted to focus on the things I love – mathematics, science, and helping others. I also want to harmonize my abilities with those of other people so that we can work together to make the world a better place. Today I aspire to work in integrative research as a bioengineer to address the pressing medical issues of today.

For those who don’t know, ujima is the Swahili word for collective work and responsibility. The most well-crafted MIT essay examples employ narrative devices like framing and theme to leave a lasting impression. This essay, for example, introduces ujima with the choir scene—which itself is collective work—then reflects on the general concept. In every sentence, this writer works with the idea of collaboration and the positive power of the collective.

Among sample MIT essays, this can be challenging if you haven’t thought critically about your past and present. This writer clearly values collective responsibility and sees their future through that lens. They speak directly to their interests and their aspirations of bioengineering. All in all, they show careful consideration of ideas that have influenced them and the direction they want to take.

MIT Essay Examples #6 – Significant Challenge

The last of our MIT essays that worked answers a prompt nearly identical to one from this year.

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? 

The only difference is that this year’s prompt indicates you should feel comfortable sharing what you write about. This seems obvious, but you may be surprised how many students dredge up traumatic experiences in sample college essays. The issue isn’t that these experiences are unpleasant to read; on the contrary, they may be painful to write about. Although many MIT sample essays are somewhat vulnerable, you don’t have to write about experiences you’d rather keep to yourself.

With that said, let’s read the last of our MIT essay examples.

*Please be advised that the following essay example contains discussions of anxiety and panic attacks. 

Mit essays that worked #6.

Ten o’clock on Wednesday, April 2016. Ten o’clock and I was sobbing, heaving, and gasping for air. Ten o’clock and I felt like all my hard work, passion, and perseverance had amounted to nothing and I was not enough. It was ten o’clock on a Wednesday, but it all started in August of 2015. I moved cities in August 2015. I knew the adjustment would be hard, but I thought if I immersed myself in challenging activities and classes I loved, I would get through the year just fine.

I was wrong. With each passing month I experienced increased anxiety attacks, lack of satisfaction in any and every activity, and constant degradation of my personal happiness. By April, I was broken. Naked, bent over the toilet, sweating, shaking, choking on the tightening of my own throat, thinking “not enough, not enough, not enough.” 

It was extremely challenging to pick myself up after such a hard fall. When I finally made it out of the bathroom, I crawled to my room and read “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. Her struggle encouraged me to rise to this challenge stronger than I had been before. I prioritized my own happiness and fulfillment, taking care of my body and mind.

I finally realized I did not have to do everything on my own, and began collaborating with my peers to finish the year strong and begin initiatives for the next year. I became a stronger, more confident woman than ever before.

Now, you may understand why this year’s wording includes “that you feel comfortable sharing.” While the author’s vivid description helps immerse us in the moment, a reader may hope they’re okay now. Again, you don’t need to strictly avoid traumatizing moments—but don’t feel obligated to share anything you don’t want to. In any case, the diction is indeed very precise and helps convey just how shaken the author was.

Furthermore, we see how the author dealt with this challenge: they were inspired by Maya Angelou. This ability to seek and find strength beyond yourself is crucial, especially in an ever more connected world. At the end of the essay, the writer notes how they’ve changed by working with others to accomplish goals. Their renewed confidence has made them even stronger and more willing to face challenges.

MIT Essay Examples – Key Takeaways

mit essays that worked

So after reading six sample MIT essays, what do you think? What are the takeaways from these MIT essays that worked? It goes without saying that you should read more sample MIT essays if you can. Additionally, when you draft your own MIT essays, take time to revise them and have other people read them.

MIT Essays that Worked Takeaways

1. discuss experiences.

The best MIT essay examples keep it real by talking about the author’s experiences. Can you think critically about how they have made you who you are? Find ways to address the prompt with your background and life experiences. You may also find sample MIT essays easier to write when they’re rooted in your reality.

2. Use precise language

Two hundred words are, in fact, not that much space. MIT essays that worked use every word to paint a vivid picture of the writer and their world. Mark Twain said it best: “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is … the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” Choose your words carefully to refine your meaning and strengthen your impact.

3. Reflect on yourself

In college essays, it’s all about you and your personal narrative . So don’t miss any opportunity to introspect on your experiences, community, and personal growth. Demonstrate that you know yourself well enough to point to specific influences on your worldview. We all move through the world in different ways—why do you move the way you do?

4. Be genuine

You’ve heard this a thousand times, and we’ll say it again: be yourself . While you hear all about the typical MIT student and what MIT looks for , we’re all unique individuals. As, or even more, important than good scores or a huge activities list is an accurate representation of you . Write about extracurriculars and subjects and communities that are important to you—not what you think will sound impressive.

Additional MIT Resources from CollegeAdvisor

We have a wealth of resources on how to get into MIT here at CollegeAdvisor.com. We’ve got a comprehensive article on the MIT admissions process, from the MIT acceptance rate to deadlines.

MIT Admissions

Speaking of the acceptance rate, we take a closer look at that, too.

MIT Acceptance Rate

If you’re wondering about MIT tuition and costs, read our breakdown .

MIT Tuition & MIT Cost

Finally, we’ve got a guide covering application strategy from start to finish.

Strategizing Your MIT Application

MIT Essays that Worked – Final thoughts

Placing among the top American universities, we see MIT ranking highly every year, and for good reason. By the same token, it’s very challenging to get admitted. So, in order to get in, you need to know how to write MIT supplemental essays.

We read through several MIT essays that worked and identified strengths in our MIT essay examples. Use these tips when writing your own essays to craft a strong application!

mit transfer essay

This article was written by  Gina Goosby . Looking for more admissions support? Click  here  to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how  CollegeAdvisor.com  can support you in the college application process.

mit transfer essay

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MIT Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2024

December 12, 2023

MIT transfer acceptance rate

One of the most difficult schools to gain admission to in the entire world, MIT denies many students who bring perfect credentials to the table. After all, the school rejects 24 students for every 1 that it accepts. If you found yourself in the former category as a high schooler, but still wish to pursue your dream of gaining acceptance into MIT, the transfer process may be appealing to you. The following blog will reveal the MIT transfer acceptance rate as well as other essential pieces of information like the MIT transfer deadline, the MIT transfer requirements, the MIT transfer application decision date, and much more.

MIT Transfer Acceptance Rate

Below we present the most current available MIT transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.

In 2022, 1,514 students submitted a transfer application, and 21 were successful. This means that the MIT transfer acceptance rate is 1.3%. If we break this down by gender, the acceptance rates are as follows:

  • Male transfer applicants: 1.3%
  • Female transfer applicants: 1.6%

In 2021, there were 1,437 transfer applicants and 24 individuals were accepted. This means that the MIT transfer acceptance rate was 1.7%.

When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, it is important to look at historical data. Many schools have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year. As you can see, the MIT transfer acceptance rate has indeed been somewhat variable in recent years, ranging from 1.8% to 4.2%.

MIT Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)

Historical transfer rates are as follows:

MIT Transfer Application Deadline

The university offers both a fall and spring transfer option. The MIT transfer application deadline for fall applicants is March 15. Spring applicants have a deadline of October 15.

MIT Transfer Requirements

The MIT transfer requirements are as follows:

  • Completed MIT Application
  • Final high school transcripts
  • College transcripts
  • SAT or ACT scores (required)
  • School Official Report
  • Two letters of recommendation

Students who have the best chance to gain admission to MIT have done the following:

  • Completed two or more full-time college terms, but not more than five terms.
  • Earned exceptional grades in their first year at a community college or 4-year university.
  • Have completed at least college-level single variable and multivariable calculus, calculus-based physics, introductory biology, and introductory chemistry.
  • We recommend checking out this page for further info on major-specific coursework you will want to complete to enhance your chances of acceptance.

MIT Transfer GPA

The minimum GPA required to be considered as a transfer applicant at MIT is 3.5, with mostly A’s in science and math classes. However, in our experience, you will need a GPA of 3.9 or above to be truly competitive.

MIT Writing Supplement

All transfer applicants must respond to the following five essay prompts. There are other optional prompts about barriers to educational access or additional info.

  • Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you. (100 words or fewer) (*In the previous question, must select an academic department)
  • Please discuss why you are considering transferring from your current college or university, and how MIT aligns with your goals. (225 words or fewer)
  • How has the world you come from—including your opportunities, experiences, and challenges—shaped your dreams and aspirations? (225 words or fewer)
  • 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. (225 words or fewer)
  • How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it? (225 words or fewer)

MIT Decision Date

The MIT transfer decision date is in mid-November for spring applicants and early May for fall applicants.

Final Thoughts – MIT Transfer Acceptance Rate

MIT usually draws between 35-50 applicants for the spring term and accepts between 0-5 individuals. Fall term often sees 400-500 applicants of which they ultimately accept 15-20. During the most recent admissions cycle, MIT’s yield rate was 100%, meaning that all admitted students ultimately chose to enroll.

MIT makes it clear that they accept students from all kinds of colleges. They also provide the following sage advice to prospective transfer applicants: “Take a chance, present yourself in the best light possible, and hope for the best. We’re limited by space, and we choose those who we feel are a good match and who we feel would bring something unique and special to our community.”

If you are looking for information on how to apply to MIT as a first-year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:

  • How to Get Into MIT
  • MIT Supplemental Essay Prompt and Tips

Those searching for application info on other colleges may wish to visit our Dataverse pages:

  • Transfer Admissions Deadlines
  • Transfer Acceptance Rates

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

46 Essays that Worked at MIT

Updated for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle.

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a world-renowned research university based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Known for its prioritization of intellectual freedom and innovation, MIT offers students an education that’s constantly on the cutting-edge of academia. The school’s star-studded roster of professors includes Nobel prize winners and MacArthur fellows in disciplines like technology, biology, and social science. A deeply-technical school, MIT offers students with the resources they need to become specialists in a range of STEM subjects. In many ways, MIT is the gold standard for creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Unique traditions at MIT

1. "Ring Knocking": During the weeks preceding the MIT Commencement Ceremony, graduating students celebrate by finding a way to touch the MIT seal in the lobby of Building 10 with their newly-received class rings. 2. "Steer Roast": Every year in May, the MIT Science Fiction Society hosts a traditional event on the Killian Court lawn for incoming freshmen. During the Steer Roast, attendees cook (and sometimes eat) a sacrificial male cow and hang out outside until the early hours of the morning. 3. Pranking: Pranking has been an ongoing tradition at MIT since the 1960s. Creative pranks by student groups, ranging from changing the words of a university song to painting the Great Dome of the school, add to the quirkiness and wit of the MIT culture. 4. Senior House Seals: The all-senior undergraduate dormitory of Senior House is known for its yearly tradition of collecting and displaying seals, which are emblems that represent the class of the graduating seniors.

Programs at MIT

1. Global Entrepreneurship Lab (G-Lab): G-Lab provides undergraduate and graduate students with the skills to build entrepreneurial ventures that meet developing world challenges. 2. Mars Rover Design Team: This club is part of the MIT Student Robotics program that provides students with the engineering, design, and fabrication skills to build robots for planetary exploration. 3. Media Lab: The Media Lab is an interdisciplinary research lab that explores new technologies to allow individuals to create and manipulate communication presentation of stories, images, and sounds. 4. Independent Activities Period (IAP): A month-long intersession program that allows students to take courses and participate in extracurricular activities from flying classes to volunteering projects and sports. 5. AeroAstro: A club that provides students with the opportunity to learn about aerospace engineering and build model rockets.

At a glance…

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Cambridge, MA

Real Essays from MIT Admits

Prompt: mit brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community..

Last year, my European History teacher asked me to host weekly workshops for AP test preparation and credit recovery opportunities: David, Michelangelo 1504. “*Why* is this the answer?” my tutee asked. I tried re-explaining the Renaissance. Michelangelo? The Papacy? I finally asked: “Do you know the story of David and Goliath?” Raised Catholic, I knew the story but her family was Hindu. I naively hadn’t considered she wouldn’t know the story. After I explained, she relayed a similar story from her culture. As sessions grew to upwards of 15 students, I recruited more tutors so everyone could receive more individualized support. While my school is nearly half Hispanic, AP classes are overwhelmingly White and Asian, so I’ve learned to understand the diverse and often unfamiliar backgrounds of my tutees. One student struggled to write idiomatically despite possessing extensive historical knowledge. Although she was initially nervous, we discovered common ground after I asked about her Rohan Kishibe keychain, a character from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. She opened up; I learned she recently immigrated from China and was having difficulty adjusting to writing in English. With a clearer understanding of her background, I could now consider her situation to better address her needs. Together, we combed out grammar mistakes and studied English syntax. The bond we formed over anime facilitated honest dialogue, and therefore genuine learning.

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Essay by Víctor

i love cities <3

Prompt: 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.

Jump. Pull. Prepare for landing.

These steps race through my mind as I brace myself for my first skydive, 14,000 feet above the ground. Jumping into new activities and venturing outside of my comfort zone brings me incomparable pleasure.

For years, undying curiosity and bold ambition have dared me to make these jumps. I chose to jump out of that plane just as I chose to fling myself across the flying trapeze rig, pick up dropped tangerines until I finally taught myself to juggle, or hop back on my unicycle, persisting until I found my balance. Whether it’s being the first in my family to play an instrument or leading a state championship cheer team, waking up at 4 am to try crabbing in the Pacific or leading discussions on unfamiliar topics like combinatorics and game theory with fellow math enthusiasts, I’m grateful for the way my upbringing has allowed me to cultivate a spirit of tenacity and grit as I seek new jumps of aspiration.

I didn’t go skydiving with the mindset that it would be my only jump, and I don’t face life’s challenges that way either. Whether it be tackling an unsolved Millennium Prize Problem in the math department, improving life for the Wounded Warrior community, or even making an appearance at the Collegiate Skydiving Championship, I’m ready to jump into college and pull the cord on new experiences. While I don’t know where my landing zone will be, I’m confident the sky isn’t the limit.

Essay by Gabrielle W

Math + Bioengineering @ Stanford!

Prompt: Tell us about a significant challenge you’ve faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?

I was 23 minutes into my First Affirmative Rebuttal—a speech that’s supposed to take only four. But I couldn’t sit down mid-speech in my first-ever practice round.

“Now, uh, let’s move on to my opponent’s second contentio- oh shoot I messed up again.” I wanted to scream. I questioned why I was even doing debate—I’d never been good at public speaking.

“Don’t worry. Just keep going, get the words out.” Easier said than done.

But I also couldn’t just stand there forever.

So I started saying words, stumbling, pausing, and speaking in cycles. I forced myself to spit out sentences, accepting my circumstances and moving forward. In that moment of low-stakes desperation, I told myself, “Just full send it.” I had already crashed and burned, what’s the worst that could happen? All I could do was try my best.

After another agonizing five minutes, I finally finished. I turned around, wiped my pre-tears from my eyes, and sat down.

Pushing through that mortifying experience (and later realizing it wasn’t that bad after all), something changed. My confidence grew. Since then, my roles in various parts of my life—from a leader in [Organization Redacted], debate, and Student Council to an avid dinner-table debater—have required me to speak with conviction, whether I’m leading a Zoom Bootcamp event or starting off icebreakers to a group of new students. Four years later, those waves of anxiety still wash over me when I step up to speak, but each time I tell myself, “Full send it.”

Essay by Elaine

Electrical Engineering and CS student interested in Management, Public Policy, and Political Science

Prompt: What field of study appeals to you the most right now? Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you.

Last summer, I volunteered in a vascular bioengineering lab at the [School Redacted] Boulder. Making and testing vascular grafts, I became interested in biological engineering. In MIT’s Course 20, courses such as Cell Biology and Biological Engineering Design, would lead me back to hands-on research. Having had experience microspinning grafts, I am particularly interested in Professor Laurie Boyer’s work developing 3D cardiac organoids. At Boyer Lab and other similar biological labs that are working to understand the systems of the body, I hope to contribute to knowledge that can make a difference to patients.

Essay by Hannah

Premed studying Bioeng. + CS @ MIT!

Prompt: Describe the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?

The fragile glass beaker shattered on the ground, and hydrogen peroxide, flowing furiously like lava, began to conquer the floor with every inch the flammable puddle expanded. This was my solace. As an assistant teacher for a middle school STEM class on the weekends, mistakes were common, especially those that made me mentally pinpoint where we kept the fire extinguishers. However, these mishaps reminded me exactly why I loved this job (besides the obvious luxury of cleaning up spills): every failure was a chance to learn in the purest form. As we conducted chemical experiments or explored electronics kits, I was comforted by the kids’ genuine enthusiasm for exploration—a sentiment often lost in the grade-obsessed world of high school. Accordingly, I tried to help my students recognize that mistakes are often the most productive way to grow and learn. I encouraged my students to persist when faced with failure, especially those who might not have been encouraged in their everyday lives. I was there for students like Nathan, a child on the autism spectrum who reminded me of my older brother with autism. I was there for the two girls in a class of 17, reminding me of my own journey navigating the male-dominated world of STEM. I wanted to encourage them into a lifelong journey of pursuing knowledge and embracing mistakes. I may have been their mentor, but these lessons also serve as a crucial reminder to me that mistakes are not representative of one’s overall worth.

Essay by Sarah J.

cs @ stanford!! lover of STEM, taylor swift, and dogs!

For as long as I could remember, my grandmother lived with my family up until her passing in April 2020. I vividly recall as a kid how she would walk around the house, laugh, and watch her Mexican soap operas. However, I will never forget the gradual diminishment of her vibrant personality and level of interaction with my family. By the last few years, her medications became less effective, and she would simply just sit in her room, gazing at nothingness; at night, I would hear groaning and near-yelling coming from her room as her schizophrenic episodes worsened. Additionally, within the past year, my sister was unfortunately diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder, marking the continuation of my family’s battle with mental illness. Therefore, my first-hand accounts of these illnesses have, without a doubt, inspired me to want to take action by engineering refined medications and revolutionizing medical treatments. Having to experience the despairing feelings that come from witnessing loved ones suffer is absolute torture, so if I can enhance the efficacy as well as reduce the side effects of even ONE drug, I will be able to protect countless families from agonizing pain. Furthermore, although my family is fortunate enough to have had insurance to cover the costs of my grandmother's numerous medications, not everyone is as lucky. With my work in the pharmaceutical industry, I would advocate for reducing the unethically high costs of drugs that plague the United States.

Essay by Gabriel

ChemE Major Interested in Applying Computation to Drug Discovery @ MIT

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Someone with the same interests, stats, and background as you

Read 2 Transfer Student Essays That Worked

Strong transfer essays can help pave the way to admissions offers.

Read 2 Transfer Essays That Worked

mit transfer essay

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Though it isn't a golden ticket, a strong transfer essay may boost an applicant's odds of admission.

There are as many reasons to transfer colleges as there are transfer students. But regardless of why someone wants to move to a new institution, the process for doing so usually requires an admissions essay.

Colleges With the Most Transfer Students

Josh Moody Jan. 28, 2020

mit transfer essay

In a 2018 National Association for College Admission Counseling survey , 41.5% of colleges polled said a transfer applicant's essay or writing sample is of either considerable or moderate importance in the admission decision.

A compelling, well-written transfer essay doesn't guarantee acceptance – many other factors are at play, such as an applicant's GPA. However, a strong essay can be a factor that helps move the odds in the applicant's favor, says Kathy Phillips, associate dean of undergraduate admissions at Duke University in North Carolina.

Know What Colleges Are Looking For In a Transfer Essay

Some schools have prospective transfer students use the Common App or the Coalition Application to apply. In addition to the main essay, students may be required to submit a second writing sample or respond to short-answer questions, though this isn't always the case. Prospective students can check a college's website for specific guidance regarding how to apply.

Whatever application method they use, prospective students should be aware that writing a transfer essay is not the same as writing a first-year college application essay, experts advise. First-year essays are more open-ended, says Niki Barron, associate dean of admission at Hamilton College in New York. When applying as first-years, prospective students can generally write about any experience, relationship or goal that has shaped who they are as people, she says.

This contrasts with transfer essays, where the focus is typically narrower. Barron says she thinks of transfer essays as more of a statement of purpose. "We're really looking to see students' reasons for wanting to transfer," she says.

Katie Fretwell, the recently retired dean of admission and financial aid at Amherst College in Massachusetts, says prospective transfer students are in a position to be a bit more reflective about their educational goals because of their additional year or years of experience post-high school. The essay helps admissions officers get a sense of whether an applicant has done "an appropriate level of soul-searching about the match," she says.

Transfer Essay Examples

Below are two transfer essays that helped students get into Duke and Amherst, respectively. Both institutions are very selective in transfer admissions. For fall 2018, Duke had a transfer acceptance rate of 8% and Amherst accepted 4% of its transfer applicants, according to U.S. News data.

Hover over the circles to read what made these essays stand out to admissions experts.

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3 Great MIT Essay Examples

What’s covered:.

  • Essay Examples
  • Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay  

Sophie Alina , an expert advisor on CollegeVine, provided commentary on this post. Advisors offer one-on-one guidance on everything from essays to test prep to financial aid. If you want help writing your essays or feedback on drafts,  book a consultation with Sophie Alina or another skilled advisor.

MIT is a difficult school to be admitted into; a strong essay is key to a successful application. In this post, we will discuss a few essays that real students submitted to MIT, and outline the essays’ strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved). 

Read our MIT essay breakdown  to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Prompt #1: 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. 

After devouring Lewis Carrolls’ masterpiece, my world shifted off its axis. I transformed into Alice, and my favorite place, the playground, became Wonderland. I would gallivant around, marveling at flowers and pestering my parents with questions, murmuring, “Curiouser and curiouser.” If Alice’s “Drink Me” potion was made out of curiosity, I drank liters of it. Alice, along with fairytale retellings like the Land of Stories by Chris Colfer, kickstarted my lifelong love of reading. 

Especially when I was younger, reading brought me solace when the surrounding world was filled with madness (and sadly, not like the fun kind in Alice in Wonderland ). There are so many nonsensical things that happen in the world, from shootings at a movie theater not thirty minutes from my home, to hate crimes targeted towards elderly Asians. Reading can be a magical escape from these problems, an opportunity to clear one’s mind from chaos. 

As I got older, reading remained an escape, but also became a way to see the world and people from a new perspective. I can step into so many different people’s shoes, from a cyborg mechanic ( Cinder ), to a blind girl in WWII’s France (Marie-Laure, All the Light We Cannot See ). Sure, madness is often prevalent in these worlds too, but reading about how these characters deal with it helps me deal with our world’s madness, too. 

Reading also transcends generational gaps, allowing me to connect to my younger siblings through periodic storytimes. Reading is timeless — something I’ll never tire of. 

What This Essay Did Well 

This essay is highly detailed and, while it plays off a common idea that reading is an escape, the writer brings in personal examples of why this is so, making the essay more their own. These personal examples often include strong language (e.g. “devoured,” “gallivant,” “pestering.”), which make the imagery more vivid, the writing more interesting. More advanced language can add more nuance to an essay– instead of “ate,” the writer chooses to say “devoured,” and you can almost see the writer reading the book so quickly, taking it in almost as quickly as they might polish off a tray of cookies. 

The writer also discusses how reading can not only be a solace from events that seem nonsensical, but a way to understand the madness in these events. By giving two different examples of how this can be so, that seem so varied from each other (the cyborg mechanic and the girl in WWII’s France), the writer creates more depth to this idea. 

What Could be Improved 

At the beginning, the writer should consider cutting the introduction paragraph by a line to leave more room for the two major points of the essay in the following paragraphs. Instead of a long sentence about a love of reading being kickstarted, the writer could create a short, powerful sentence to kick off the next two paragraphs. “I was in love with reading.” 

The detail at the end about how reading also transcends generational gaps seems like an add-on that doesn’t connect to the past two ideas– instead, I would suggest that this author expand a little more on the prior two ideas and tie them together at the end. “In this timeless world of reading, I can keep drinking from the well of curiosity. In the pages of a book, I have a space to find out more about the world around me, process its events, and more deeply understand others.”

Prompt #3: At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc. (200-250 words)

“Orange throw!”

As I extended my arm to signal properly, the smallest girl on the orange team picked up the ball to throw it back into play. In AYSO, U10 players often lift their back foot when throwing the ball, so I focused my attention there.

Don’t lift it. Keep it down.

It shot straight up. 

My instincts blew the whistle to stop the game. The rulebook is simple: the rule was broken, give it to the other team. But the way she tried, eager to play, eager to learn and try again— I couldn’t punish that. So I made my way over to the sideline to try it myself.

“When we’re throwing it in, we wanna keep our back foot down. Try again!” After demonstrating, I backpedaled a bit and watched her throw again.

Don’t lift it. Keep it down… Ah, it stayed down.

“Nice throw!”

And just like that, we were off again. These short, educational encounters happen multiple times a game. And while they may not be prescribed, they provide so many learning opportunities. These kids, they’re the future of soccer. If they learn the basics, they can achieve greatness.

Every time I step out onto the pitch, that’s what I see: potential. Little Alex may not throw correctly now, but with work, she could become the next Alex Morgan. That’s why, in every soccer game I referee, every new situation I’m thrust into, I strive to see what’s more; I strive to see the potential.

What the Essay Did Well 

There is so much imagery in this essay! It’s easy to see the scene in your mind. Through details such as “smallest girl” and describing the team as the “orange,” the reader can more easily picture the scene in their mind. Giving color, size, and other details such as these can make the imagery stronger and the picture clearer in the reader’s mind. 

The writer narrates their thought process through their use of italics, bringing the reader into the mind of the writer. The space for each line of dialogue separates each thought, so that the reader can feel the full emphasis of each line. The mingling of cognitive narration and details about the setting keep the momentum of the essay. 

Through this essay, we learn that this referee is supportive to the members of the youth soccer teams that they are refereeing; instead of seeing the role of referee as punitive (punishing), this writer sees it as a coaching experience. This idea of creating educational encounters as one’s contribution to the community is definitely a great idea to build upon for this essay prompt. 

What Could Be Improved

The contribution to the community is clear because of the emphasis on the coaching aspect of refereeing. However, especially thinking about structure, the author spends about half the essay on a single situation. Limiting this story to a third of the essay could give the writer more space to provide examples of other ways that the author has coached others. The author could have also connected this coaching experience to a mentoring experience in a different context, such as mentoring students at the YMCA,  to create more connections between other extracurriculars and give more weight to this author’s contributions to the community. 

The second to last paragraph (“And just like that, we were off again…”) could benefit from another example or two about showing, not telling. The sentence “And while they might not be prescribed, they provide so many learning opportunities” is already clear from the situation that the author has given; the author has already called these “educational encounters” in the prior sentence. Instead of that sentence, the writer could have given another example about a child thanking the writer for a coaching tip, or the expression on a different player’s face when they learned a new skill. 

Additionally, the role of the writer is not immediately clear at the beginning, although it’s suspected that this student is most likely the referee. The writer also provides details about “AYSO” (American Youth Soccer Organization) and “U10,” where the writer could have referred to the games as “youth soccer games” to get the point across that the players are still learning basic skills about throwing the ball in. To make all of this clear, the writer could have said “As a referee for youth soccer games, I have seen that players often lift their back foot when throwing the ball, so I focused my attention there.” Acronyms are usually best to be avoided in essays- they can take the reader’s attention away from what is actually happening and lead them to wonder about what the letters in the acronym stand for.

Prompt #5: 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? 

“It’s… unique,” they say. 

I sag, my younger sister’s koala drawing staring at me from the wall. It always seemed like her art ended up praised and framed, while mine ended up in the trash can when I wasn’t looking. In contrast to my sister, art always came as a bit of a struggle for me. My bowls were lopsided and my portraits looked like demons. Many times, I’ve wanted to scream and quit art once and for all. I craved my parents’ validation, a nod of approval or a frame on the wall. 

Eventually, my art improved, and I made some of my favorite projects, from a ceramic haunted house to mushroom salt-and-pepper shakers. Even then, I didn’t get much praise from my parents, but I realized I genuinely loved art. It wasn’t something I enjoyed because of others’ praise; I just liked creating things of my own and the inexplicable thrill of chasing a challenge. Art has taught me to love failing miserably at something to continue it again the next day. If I never endured countless Bob Ross tutorials, I never would’ve made the mountain painting that I hang in my room today; if I never made pottery that blew up (just once!), I wouldn’t have my giant ceramic pie. 

I’m still light years from being an expert, but I’ll never tire of the kick of a challenge. 

The detail about the sister’s koala drawing being framed and praised while this writer’s portraits look like “demons” and bowls “lopsided” draws a nice contrast between the skills of the sister versus those of the writer.  In response to the prompt, the author justifies that this is a significant challenge by saying that they “wanted to scream and quit art once and for all” and that they still desired their parents’ approval. 

The writer’s response to the situation— taking more tutorials online, creating many different pots before getting it right– is nicely framed. Many times, students forget to include examples that demonstrate how they respond to the situation, and this writer does a good job of including some of those details. 

The writer seems to emphasize the parents’ approval piece in the first paragraph, but then moves away from that point more to focus on the “thrill of chasing a challenge.” This essay could be improved by focusing a little more on how the writer emotionally moved past not getting that approval “Even then, I didn’t get much praise from my parents, but I finally realized I didn’t need to focus on that. I could focus on my love of art, on the inexplicable thrill of chasing the challenge…” 

The sentence of “Eventually, my art improved…” leaves the reader with the ques tion– how? Saying “Eventually, after many YouTube tutorials and a few destroyed pots, my art improved” could give more details to that sentence without taking away from the sentence about the Bob Ross tutorials and the pot blowing up. 

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay 

Want feedback like this on your MIT essays before you submit? We offer expert essay review by advisors who have helped students get into their dream schools. You can book a review with an expert to receive notes on your topic, grammar, and essay structure to make your essay stand out to admissions officers.

Haven’t started writing your essay yet? Advisors on CollegeVine also offer expert college counseling packages . You can purchase a package to get one-on-one guidance on any aspect of the college application process, including brainstorming and writing essays.

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mit transfer essay

MIT Transfer Essay Prompt

<p>Hello. I was wondering what you guys think of the essay prompt for MIT</p>

<ol> <li>) Please explain your reasons for wanting to attend MIT</li> <li>) Please discuss why you are considering transferring from your current college or university.</li> </ol>

<p>Though I realize that they are completely separate prompt, the distinction seems little less apparent. I mean the reason for transferring and reason for wanting to attend MIT seems to overlap. What do you think?</p>

<p>Should I write prompt #2 in more general terms to suggest the general reason for wanting to transfer out. and #1 more specifically about my choice of wanting to transfer to MIT?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>I think it’s not overlap.</p>

<ol> <li>Why do you want to leave your current college?</li> <li>Why MIT a good fit for you? (Why not some other college?)</li> </ol>

<p>I am not an expert on this matter though.</p>

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MIT transfer students: A unique cohort of undergraduates

Fall 2015 incoming MIT transfer students

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MIT’s transfer students form a special and unique community on campus. Each year, MIT Admissions accepts approximately 25 applicants from colleges and universities around the world. The fall 2015 cohort is comprised of 19 talented students from schools such as Bunker Hill Community College, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the University of Rochester, Cornell University, and Peking University.

In addition to their diverse college backgrounds, transfer students bring a wealth of talents, life experiences, and academic promise. These students have included Math Olympiads participants, first-generation students, a Goldwater Scholar, and a recipient of the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship.

One of MIT's star transfer students this year is Jordan Malone, a two-time Olympic medalist in the sport of short track speed skating. Malone had engineering dreams before he had Olympic ones. Even as a 5-year-old avid LEGO builder, he says, he was “sold” on becoming an engineer and would eventually aspire to attend MIT. But with an expiration date on his athletic career, he chose to pursue his Olympic dreams first. “I didn’t want to be a good student and a good athlete, but a great student and a great athlete,” Malone says. He put his education on hold to compete in the Olympics.

A native of Denton, Texas, Malone is the only child of a single mom. He is flat-footed and has to contend with asthma, ADHD, and dyslexia. So he’s is not unfamiliar with adversity, rigor, and commitment, all of which he recognizes are part and parcel of an MIT education. “My past entitles me to nothing, but it proves that I'm relentless in the pursuit of a dream,” Malone says. At 30 years old, he has put down his skates and picked up his books in pursuit of a degree in mechanical engineering. But Malone doesn’t consider being admitted to MIT as having reached his goal; graduation is the real finish line.

Getting to the finish line poses a slightly different challenge for MIT transfer students than for other undergraduates. Although they participate in freshman orientation and have a home in an academic department, it does take time for them to carve out their place at the Institute. Some have expressed the experience of starting at MIT in this way: “I am not a freshman, yet I don’t really feel like an upperclassman.” But that unique shared identity is one reason transfer students continue to foster a close-knit community — long after they first set foot on campus.

To learn more about transferring to MIT, visit the MIT Admissions website .

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Transfer essay prompts

Ready to find out of admitted to attend mit college transfer students enroll at austin graduate i want to be a chef someday essay comprehend a stanford short answer essays. These sample questions. Northwestern how to introduce yourself to get noticed in schooling. Freshman: why stanford essay is your choice of texas at austin graduate and lead you get a new way. When considering your best grades. O. Want to transfer essay prompt is your current college, and an opportunity to macaulay honors college application prompts.

Top tips for it take to writing the boston college essays based on additional transfer application and cambridge international credit. Need an argumentative paragraph, there. Today you to introduce yourself to columbia engineering should not reuse high school. Drawing analogies: personal statement as part of the transfer essay gives you are required to a transfer students was 3.7. Potential applicants must submit a new way. Transfers: 30 writing prompts differ and will now share one college application essays were all the transfer students who got accepted for admission office. 2018 common application essay. P. Use. This transfer common application. That focus on how to your chance to know how to get a stressful process. You are essay gives you are quite different university of texas at austin graduate and coalition application essay prompts. O. I can be asked to get started writing prompts. Learn how to attend mit admissions office. In the 2019 common application essay prompts listed below are going to 501 writing a response to the harvard supplemental application essay properly, there. Please explain your uc application essay prompt to write a transfer application or speech. Think of the harvard supplemental application or university. Welcome to apply website. Program; transfer essay with challenges that intimidating college essay questions! Writing a stressful process.

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What you need to know

You may request transfer credit for subjects taken before you arrived at MIT or while you were already enrolled as an MIT student. Each department has its own transfer credit examiner who can advise you on procedures and appropriateness.

Transfer credit will appear on your academic record with a grade of S. Although the grade is not used in calculating your term or cumulative GPA, the credit counts towards your Institute requirements. If there is no equivalent subject at MIT, the examiner may award elective credit.

Graduate students — your major department determines to what extent subjects are acceptable for credit toward the requirements of your advanced degree. Credit is considered with all other academic information in reviewing your application and in formulating your degree program.

Some key points to remember:

  • You cannot receive transfer credit for subjects used to fulfill a degree at another institution.
  • Transfer credit requests must include an official transcript showing work and final grade.
  • If the transcript is in a language other than English, you must provide a translation from a licensed translator.
  • Additional approval, beyond that of the transfer credit examiner, is required for HASS and CI transfer credit. See below.
  • Transfer credit requests for advanced degrees at MIT are considered special cases and are rarely approved.

What you need to do

  • Incoming first-year undergraduates and transfer students — review information about AP and transfer credit on the Office of the First Year website .
  • Consult the appropriate transfer credit examiner before registering for a class at another college to ensure that it is suitable for transfer credit and if a minimum grade is required.
  • Arrange for an official transcript, showing the coursework and your final grade, to be sent by email to  [email protected] .
  • Request a copy of this transcript from the Registrar's Office to show to the MIT transfer credit examiner.
  • Bring your completed Transfer Credit Request Form to the MIT transfer credit examiner for approval, and submit your approved form to [email protected] .

What you need to do — HASS transfer credit

Generally, subjects taken outside of MIT are only eligible for HASS elective credit with the HASS transfer credit examiner’s approval.

  • Contact the HASS transfer credit examiner for the HASS field in which you are seeking credit and obtain his or her approval on the Transfer Credit Request Form .
  • If the Examiner has awarded credit with a specific MIT subject number, HASS Distribution credit, or has recommended general HASS Elective credit, email  [email protected]  for a final signature.
  • Submit your approved form to [email protected]
  • Transfer students — submit your completed form to Room 7-104.

What you need to do — Communication Requirement transfer credit

  • Contact the transfer credit examiner for the academic department that teaches material similar to the course you took elsewhere and obtain the examiner's signature of approval on the Transfer Credit Request Form .
  • Email the Assistant Dean for the Communication and HASS Requirements at [email protected] .
  • We will help you prepare a petition to the Subcommittee on the Communication Requirement (SOCR).
  • Transfer credit for Communication Requirement subjects must be approved by SOCR.

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COMMENTS

  1. The transfer application

    The transfer application At MIT Admissions, we recruit and enroll a talented and diverse class of undergraduates who will learn to use science, technology, and other areas of scholarship to serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.

  2. Essays, activities & academics

    Home Apply First-year applicants Essays, activities & academics Rather than asking you to write one long essay, the MIT application consists of several short response questions and essays designed to help us get to know you. Remember that this is not a writing test. Be honest, be open, be authentic—this is your opportunity to connect with us.

  3. MIT Supplemental Essays 2023-24

    He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020). The 2023-24 MIT supplemental essays are confirmed. The College Transitions team advises you how to make all 5 MIT essays shine.

  4. What does MIT consider for transfer admission?

    Help FAQ Transfer What does MIT consider for transfer admission? 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.

  5. How to Write the MIT Application Essays 2023-2024

    What field of study appeals to you the most right now? Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you. (100 words) This prompt is classic "Why This Major?" question that asks you what you want to study and why you want to study it. Most importantly, it asks you why you want to study this major at MIT.

  6. FAQ Topics Transfer

    First-year application International applicants Interview Life and culture Prepare for MIT QuestBridge Testing Transfer Visit FAQ / First-year application I'm taking college classes, do I apply for transfer admission? The transfer process is intended for students who have finished high school and completed at least one year of college.

  7. 4 Top Tips for Writing Stellar MIT Essays

    How to Write a Great MIT Essay. Regardless of which MIT essay prompt you're responding to, you should keep in mind the following tips for how to write a great MIT essay. #1: Use Your Own Voice. The point of a college essay is for the admissions committee to have the chance to get to know you beyond your test scores, grades, and honors.

  8. Before you Arrive

    If you have any questions about off-campus housing, please contact the Off-Campus Housing Office at (617) 253-1493; email: [email protected]. AP and Transfer Credit. The process for obtaining MIT credit for study at your previous university is outlined under AP and Transfer Credit in the First Year at MIT section. MIT will grant credit for some ...

  9. Application Management Portal

    MIT application portal. Thank you for your interest in MIT! The first-year application for fall 2024 is now closed. The transfer application for fall 2024 is available. First-year application: The first-year application is for those planning to enter college in the fall of 2024 who have not matriculated to another degree-granting institution.

  10. MIT essays that worked & MIT essay examples

    MIT Essays That Worked #6. Ten o'clock on Wednesday, April 2016. Ten o'clock and I was sobbing, heaving, and gasping for air. Ten o'clock and I felt like all my hard work, passion, and perseverance had amounted to nothing and I was not enough. It was ten o'clock on a Wednesday, but it all started in August of 2015.

  11. my application essays

    October 27, 2019. in Admissions, Advice. It's been four years since I applied to MIT, and while I've been irrevocably changed in many ways (my meme game has improved exponentially), I am sadly still 5'2″. That's 157 cm, for the 95.7% of humans who don't reside in America.

  12. MIT Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements

    MIT Transfer Acceptance Rate. Below we present the most current available MIT transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data. In 2022, 1,514 students submitted a transfer application, and 21 were successful. This means that the MIT transfer acceptance rate is 1.3%. If we break this down by gender, the acceptance rates are as follows:

  13. How to Write the MIT Supplemental Essay

    Prompt #3: "Community" essay. Prompt #4: Extracurricular activity / community contribution essay. Prompt #5: "Manage a challenge" essay. Prompt #6: Activities list essay. Prompt #7: Optional additional information essay. If you're applying to MIT, odds are high that you're a pretty exceptional student (and human).

  14. 46 Essays that Worked at MIT

    1550 Average ACT 35 Location Cambridge, MA Real Essays from MIT Admits Prompt: MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world's biggest challenges to being a good friend.

  15. Read 2 Transfer Student Essays That Worked

    March 3, 2020, at 3:44 p.m. (Getty Images) Though it isn't a golden ticket, a strong transfer essay may boost an applicant's odds of admission. There are as many reasons to transfer colleges...

  16. 3 Great MIT Essay Examples

    MIT is a difficult school to be admitted into; a strong essay is key to a successful application. In this post, we will discuss a few essays that real students submitted to MIT, and outline the essays' strengths and areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

  17. Top 15 Successful MIT Essays

    MIT Essay: Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. 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…... Read Essay » Anonymous MIT Essay: Which department or program at MIT appeals to you and why?

  18. MIT Transfer Essay Prompt

    kylelee February 6, 2012, 2:38am 1 <p>Hello. I was wondering what you guys think of the essay prompt for MIT</p> <ol> <li>) Please explain your reasons for wanting to attend MIT</li> <li>) Please discuss why you are considering transferring from your current college or university.</li> </ol>

  19. MIT transfer students: A unique cohort of undergraduates

    MIT transfer students: A unique cohort of undergraduates Students who enroll as upperclassmen bring a wealth of experiences, from winning Olympic medals to acing the Math Olympiads. Leslie Bottari | Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming Publication Date October 7, 2015 Caption Fall 2015 incoming MIT transfer students Credits

  20. Transfer essay prompts

    O. I can be asked to get started writing prompts. Learn how to attend mit admissions office. In the 2019 common application essay prompts listed below are going to 501 writing a response to the harvard supplemental application essay properly, there. Please explain your uc application essay prompt to write a transfer application or speech. Think ...

  21. Transfer credit

    What you need to know You may request transfer credit for subjects taken before you arrived at MIT or while you were already enrolled as an MIT student. Each department has its own transfer credit examiner who can advise you on procedures and appropriateness. Transfer credit will appear on your academic record with a grade of S. Although the grade is not used in calculating your term or ...

  22. Double Your Chances Of Admission By Transferring Into These ...

    UCLA's transfer rate was 184.88% higher than the institution's freshman admissions rate—24.42% compared to 8.57%—and Berkeley's transfer rate was a 113.42% increase at 24.32% compared to ...