How to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology from India?

Are you planning to apply for MIT admissions from India? Check out the article to gain insights into the challenges Indian applicants face when submitting applications at MIT and how students can conquer them to secure their spot at the university. Also, understand how to get into MIT from India with the right strategy and tact. 

MIT is one of the top US universities to study for Indian students. Given its #1 ranking for the past 14 years, it is recognised STEM courses, good placements after graduation and high salaries. Indian students sometimes find it difficult to crack the MIT admission process, but with the right strategy, everything can fall into place. Check out how to get into MIT from India with the right strategy. 

Since MIT admissions are one of the hardest in the USA and in the world, Indian applicants would wonder how to get into MIT from India at once. Here is an article, that can help you navigate the tough MIT admission process, if you are an Indian student. 

How to Get into MIT from India?

To understand, how to get into MIT from India, Indian applicants will have to understand the following questions closely:

• What are the admission requirements for securing a seat at MIT?
• When is the right time to apply at MIT as an Indian applicant?
• What kind of challenges an Indian applicant faces when applying to MIT?
• How to create an all-rounded application to stand out for MIT admission?

Once Indian applicants understand the importance of these three broad questions, can be successful in securing a seat at MIT. We have covered all these questions to understand how to get into MIT from India in the following sections, check them out now.

MIT Admission Requirements for Indian Students

There are various reasons to study at MIT from India. Once the applicants identify the reason, the very first step after shortlisting a course at MIT is understanding the admission process. Admission requirements for MIT admissions vary for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The following sections cover the admission requirements for Indian students applying for various academic programs at MIT. So how to get into MIT from India if you are applying for the following levels of study, check them out.

MIT Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Indian applicants in the final year of higher secondary education can apply for MIT admissions. The requirements are as follows:

• Complete high school and qualify in subjects related to the field of study.
• SAT or ACT scores are mandatory
• Also, submit ELP test scores of either - TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo

The application fee for undergraduate admissions is USD 75 (INR 6,588). Indian applicants are eligible to apply for an application fee waiver if the need arises. 

MIT Postgraduate Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for postgraduate admissions will vary for each course offered at MIT across various departments including the application fees. However, some of the common admission requirements for admission are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree + scores
• GRE or GMAT scores will be required based on the type of course opted.
• TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores are also mandatory for submission.
• In some cases, portfolios are also required.
• Resume or updated CVs will be mandatory for MBA at MIT and some MS courses. 
• Admission essays*

In addition to the above requirements, a couple of documents will be required when applying for admission at MIT. These documents are elaborated in the following section. 

*Since essays play a pivotal role especially for MBA admissions at MIT, applicants should understand in detail about the essay type and requirements at: MIT MBA Essays.

Documents Required for MIT Admissions

There is a common set of documents that are to be attached along with the admission application irrespective of the level of study. These are as follows:

• Transcripts (school/bachelors)
• Statement of purpose
• Admission essays
• Letters of recommendation

Along with all the given documents, an admission application from MIT is deemed fit for submission. Applicants must ensure that they submit each document carefully, and design their SOPs and essays based on the guidelines provided on the website. Most importantly, ensure that the LORs are submitted only by specified types of recommenders like school counsellors, previous organisation's managers, etc. 

Early Action vs Regular Action at MIT

When to Apply at MIT from India?: There are two application cycles at MIT, one is the Early Action (EA) where the maximum number of students apply and the competition is very high. Second is the Regular Action (RA), where those who have deferred their admissions in early action join MIT and those who could not apply during the early action apply in the regular action. Following are the deadlines for both EA and RA at MIT: 

Understanding how to get into MIT from India is majorly based on the deadlines. Indian applicants should ideally apply for the early action deadline at MIT for the following reasons: 

• This is because there is a gap of about four months between the class XII exam result declaration and the application submission for MIT.
• There is enough time to prepare for standardised exams and English language proficiency tests. 
• The application in early action can prove the Indian applicant’s strong inclination to take admission to MIT in the first place.
• The chances of a scholarship are usually higher if applying for an early action deadline at MIT. 
• Finally, if the applicants are admitted to MIT, they will have sufficient time to prepare for their US student visa, finances, and F1 visa interview. 

For those Indian applicants wondering if Regular Action could be a safe bet at MIT, then they can take the chance. 

• They should consider regular action only if they need more time to prepare their application materials or wish to re-appear for their standardised exams in those cases where they do not score well. 
• The competition is usually higher for this deadline, plus those who defer their admissions from the early action are also considered in this deadline. 
• Applicants may not get a good scholarship if they qualify by this deadline. Check out Scholarships in USA

So Indian applicants should carefully choose their MIT admission deadlines. Carefully weigh all the pros and cons of each option before making a decision. 

MIT Admission Challenges for Indian Applicants

There are a couple of challenges for Indian applicants planning to apply for MIT admissions. When discussing around how to get into MIT from India, applicants must closely look at some of the challenges they may come across. Check out the following pointers to understand them in detail:

• Admission rate fluctuates between 3-4.5%, thus, MIT records low acceptance rates annually. Hence, there is a higher selectivity and competition for Indian applicants. To get admission, applicants would need exceptional standardised test scores and academic scores to get admitted.
• MIT expects top academic performance, especially in STEM education subjects. Thus, Indian applicants should be at the top of their class and excel in math and science olympiads or similar competitions.
• Though MIT requires SAT/ACT and GRE/GMAT exam scores, there are no minimum or recommended cutoffs. However, applicants must show an at-par excellence in these exams to make it to MIT’s admission list.

• For an all-rounder application, Indian students should prove how to balance academic excellence with meaningful extracurricular activities.

• Irrespective of the need-blind scholarships at MIT, Indian applicants still have to prepare to fund their education and compete for limited financial aid at MIT.

• Indian students applying for MIT admissions must demonstrate their readiness to adapt to and contribute to the American culture and environment.

• Indian applicants should tailor their applications to MIT's expectations, which may differ from other US universities.

Building a strong academic profile is necssary keeping in sync with MIT’s selection criteria to overcome hurdles of admission process. 

How to get into MIT from India?: Selection Criteria

To have a well-rounded application for submission at MIT is crucial for selection. There are a couple of selection criteria at MIT and these are as follows:

• Applications received at MIT must align with the university’s missions.
• Applicants who are competent and show cooperation can be an added advantage. 
• Those who show an unparalleled inclination towards initiating tasks can also benefit.
• Risk takers and those with high creativity are also an integral part of MIT’s selection process.
• Enthusiastic students who are passionate in their fields are also considered at MIT.
• Applicants should be able to prioritise balance.
• Finally, responsible applicants towards their MIT communities will help shape policies in the long run.

Thus, based on the selection criteria at MIT, Indian applicants can create a compelling admission application. 

10 Tips for a Compelling MIT Admission Application

Once Indian applicants decide to apply at MIT, they can begin brainstorming their admission applications. Here is how Indian applicants can follow some tips for a compelling MIT admission application:

1. Begin your preparation early, start by identifying the right deadline to apply at MIT. Based on your deadline, prepare for your standardised exams and ELP tests.
2. After you have your scores, you can begin drafting the admission essays because there will be at least 5-6 to attempt. Stick to the word limit of essays and be specific with your answers.
3. Choose the right recommenders especially those who know you well. Tell them why you want to study at MIT based on this info your recommender can write in your LOR how you can be a good fit. 
4. Include about your exceptional curricular and extra-curricular achievements at school or college.  
5. If you took any initiatives, mention them. Explain briefly how everyone was benefitted. Plus, do talk about your collaborations and teamwork if there are any.
6. In case, you are pursuing a STEM-based course, elaborate on your consistent performance in Maths and Science courses. Also, mention if you have been awarded for your performance at school or college. 
7. If you are creative and have given shape to certain projects, here is the place to shed light on it. 
8. Amalgamate pointers of cultural adaptation and how your ideologies can be deemed fit with MIT’s mission.
9. Do not plagiarise and make your essays unique, intriguing and genuine to read to avoid getting rejected in the initial review.
10. Finally, seek help from our team of expert counsellors for your application in case you need advice/ you can sign up here - Shiksha Abroad Counselling

When in doubt, Indian students can contact a senior or a teacher for help. Or you can refer to some of the specially curated blogs available at MIT from over 7,000+ students to help you navigate. 

Indian applicants who have scored 75+ percentiles in the GMAT, GRE or SAT exams can opt for Shiksha Topper Counselling to get admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.