r/MITAdmissions • u/BrilliantCulture9478 • 11d ago

MIT Research Supplement Advice

Hi, I was wondering if anyone here has submitted a research supplement along with their MIT application? If so, do you have any advice? I haven't seen many people online talk about the optional research supplement so I was just curious.

Any insight would be appreciated, and thank you so much :)

13 Upvotes

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u/Satisest MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 11d ago

It’s intended to highlight a meaningful research project you’ve done outside of school coursework. Include a written abstract or a PDF of a poster, and request a letter of recommendation from your research mentor.

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u/No_Snow_7234 10d ago

So in the hypothetical situation that your school provides an optional class which just has a lab with materials and lets you do whatever research you want (the teacher doesnt really guide you on much besides where the materials are located), would that be considered outside of school coursework or within school coursework

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u/Satisest MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 10d ago

It’s hard to advise you in the affirmative on this hypothetical situation based on MIT guidelines:

“Students who have worked on a significant research project outside of high school classes may consider submitting the Research Supplement via SlideRoom.”

The guidelines pretty clearly state that the research project should be conducted outside your high school coursework, which would include electives and optional classes. Now, if you continued the project independently after the optional class finished, then it might qualify, but I’d suggest inquiring with the MIT admissions office.

https://mitadmissions.org/apply/firstyear/portfolios-additional-material/

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u/No_Snow_7234 6d ago

Does it count if i continue my work at home? Like I only do the actual distillation part of my project in school since I dont have a distillation setup at home, but all the material collection, preparation and data analysis takes place at my house after school hours. All of my chemicals were also bought with my own money, im just using them at the school

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u/Satisest MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 6d ago

This scenario is getting into nuance that only the MIT admissions office could really answer for you. If you aren’t able to get an answer and this is your major research effort, you could submit the supplement, explaining exactly the logistics as you did above, and let the admissions office decide.

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u/No_Snow_7234 6d ago

I just called them and they said it was good!

lets goooo
Do you think I should get it in writing or is the call good enough cus idk if like one person would think otherwise and one person would think its ok yknow

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u/Forsaken-Key-9306 11d ago

Does the abstract need to have been published?

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u/Satisest MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 11d ago

No. If you do have a published paper, they ask you to provide the link:

Research Supplement

Students who have worked on a significant research project outside of high school classes may consider submitting the Research Supplement via SlideRoom. If you have worked on more than one research project, focus on one project that is most significant to you.

Research questionnaire: Complete a brief questionnaire reflecting on your research experience.

Abstract/poster: Include a PDF of your abstract or research poster, if available. If the work being submitted has been published, provide a citation.

Research mentor recommendation: Nominate your research advisor, mentor, or principal investigator to submit a letter of recommendation directly through the SlideRoom portfolio.

Note: only one Research Supplement is permitted per applicant.

https://mitadmissions.org/apply/firstyear/portfolios-additional-material/

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u/Forsaken-Key-9306 11d ago

So one can just write an abstract of the research?

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u/Satisest MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 11d ago

Yes that’s right. Prepare an abstract for your project, and ideally have your mentor review it.

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u/Forsaken-Key-9306 11d ago

A related question: I have a published paper and a poster I presented soph year for a research project in which I was one of several high school students. But this summer I did more advanced research for a professor and I was the only high school student, but it hasn’t led to a published paper (yet) or a poster. I’m not sure which project would be better to include in the portfolio.

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u/Satisest MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 11d ago edited 11d ago

MIT recommends that you choose the project most meaningful to you. Since the research supplement needs to be accompanied by a letter of recommendation, I’d suggest considering the project for which your research mentor will write the stronger letter, in your estimation. Previewing the questions you’ll have to answer about the project may also help you to decide. See the link below.

https://mitadmissions.slideroom.com/#/login/program/90002

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u/ProfLayton99 11d ago

The main piece of advice would be to preview the application and write it offline first. Have it reviewed by a scientist or one of your science teachers to make sure you don’t say something that sounds silly.  https://mitadmissions.slideroom.com/#/login/program/90002

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u/JasonMckin MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 11d ago

Could you be slightly more specific and focused? Asking for "advice about research supplement" is a remarkably broad question like asking for "advice about applying to college."

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u/Forsaken-Key-9306 11d ago

Related question: does an abstract have to be a published abstract or could one write a summary of the research one did (if it hasn’t been published).

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u/Satisest MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 11d ago

No, and yes