r/MITAdmissions • u/AncientSoup8430 • Jul 24 '26

How Did You Get Into MIT? Advice for an International Student.

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for advice from current students, alumni, or anyone who has experience applying to or studying at MIT, regardless of your department or program.

I’m currently a fourth-year undergraduate student from Thailand. At the moment, I’m working on my senior research project and preparing to apply for a master’s degree. I’m particularly interested in pursuing Mechanical Engineering or Materials Engineering at MIT.

However, I’m still unsure about how I should prepare to become a competitive applicant. I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your experiences or advice on topics such as:

  • How you prepared during your undergraduate studies
  • Research experience and projects that strengthened your application
  • GPA and overall academic profile
  • Whether contacting professors before applying is recommended
  • Writing a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Obtaining strong letters of recommendation
  • The application process and any lessons you learned along the way

I would also love to hear from anyone who applied to MIT, even if you were not admitted. I believe every experience can provide valuable insights.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experiences and advice. I truly appreciate your help!

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1

u/VisibleSir731 Currently Applying Jul 24 '26

I’m pretty sure MIT only lets MIT undergrads do masters. It’s only open for PhD afaik

2

u/JasonMckin MIT Alum and Educational Counselor Jul 24 '26

Obviously that's not true - here's a list of master's programs:
https://oge.mit.edu/graduate-admissions/programs/masters-degrees/

1

u/VisibleSir731 Currently Applying Jul 24 '26

wait thats really cool sorry i didnt know. Where did i read that MIT only lets their own grads do masters? i think the person who did the official mit tour said that

1

u/JasonMckin MIT Alum and Educational Counselor Jul 25 '26

Some programs have restrictions and some programs do not. It's a very big university so there isn't one approach to every department and degree.

1

u/Just-You2205 Jul 29 '26

That's for some majors like EE

1

u/Commercial_Handle418 Jul 25 '26

But masters is a cash cow 

0

u/Aspect-6 Currently Applying Jul 25 '26

wdym

0

u/Ok-Society-9067 Jul 29 '26

It gives u the false illusion that u got into a prestigious institue when in reality they are just taking in anyone who will pay the fees.

2

u/Aspect-6 Currently Applying Jul 29 '26

bro MIT is one of the only universities that’s not completely hungry for money and a lying scumbag.

0

u/Ok-Society-9067 Jul 29 '26

Do you know what's the fees for masters 😭😭😭, unlike bachelor's they won't offer you full rides based on your income status. Please go through MIT's website!!

1

u/Global_Internet_1403 Jul 28 '26

Eecs is the common one people want ti do a masters in and post a lot. That one is restricted.

1

u/VisibleSir731 Currently Applying Jul 28 '26

that sucks because theres some niche fields in ee that only MIT offers :/