Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits about 1 in 22 applicants (4.6%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 100% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
$75 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Men were admitted at 3.5%, women at 6.8%.
Yield
86% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Wait list: 561 offered a place, 468 accepted, 10 admitted (2.1% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 20
Where you stand
How Massachusetts Institute of Technology reads a record
, GPA, and tests are all important; class rank is considered. Scores are required. 83% of first-years sent an SAT and 31% an ACT. Of the 31% whose high school reported a rank, 97% were in the top tenth. Recommends 4 years of math and science. See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Important | ||||
| Test scores | Important | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; English proficiency test considered
Transferring in
2.0% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 4.6% of first-year applicants
1,713 applied · 35 admitted · 31 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by March 15, decisions by May 4, reply by June 1
- Spring entry: apply by October 15, decisions by November 15, reply by December 15
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 1 for fall 2026.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 2 years.
What you'll need in high school
Doesn't require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Recommended |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 2 |
| Total | 16* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
97% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 100% in the top quarter, of the 31% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Massachusetts Institute of Technology Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1550 on the SAT, 380 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Required
Send SAT or ACT scores: they're required to be considered. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
Nearly all who sent an SAT (99%) scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (98%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (96%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (100%) scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (97%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (99%) scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 83% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 31% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
951 studentssubmitted ACT
353 studentsAt least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:Massachusetts Institute of Technology Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Massachusetts Institute of Technology Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Massachusetts Institute of Technology Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Massachusetts Institute of Technology Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)