What are the minimum requirements to enter MIT?

To be considered for admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), several key requirements and guidelines must be met, although there are no strict "minimum" requirements in the traditional sense. Here are the main components:

Academic Performance

• There is no official minimum GPA requirement, but competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Most admitted students are in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, with an average GPA of around 4.17 on a 4.3 scale245.

Coursework

• While MIT does not require specific high school courses, it is highly recommended to take rigorous courses such as:
  • One year of high school physics, chemistry, and biology
  • Math through calculus
  • Two years of a foreign language
  • Four years of English
  • Two years of history and/or social sciences
  • AP or IB courses if available, or honors classes if AP/IB are not offered234.

Standardized Tests

• MIT requires either the SAT or ACT for all prospective first-year and transfer students.
  • For the SAT, admitted students typically score between 1510 and 1570 (composite), with 25th percentile scores around 780 in Math and 730 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and 75th percentile scores around 800 in Math and 780 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing24.
  • For the ACT, admitted students typically score between 34 and 36 (composite), with scores of 35 or 36 in each section4.
  • MIT superscores both the SAT and ACT, considering the highest scores from each section across multiple test dates24.

Essays and Short Answers

• The application includes five short answer questions, each about 200 words, which are crucial for showcasing your thoughts, experiences, and writing skills24.

Extracurricular Activities

• Strong extracurricular activities that demonstrate commitment, leadership, and community involvement are highly valued. These activities help to differentiate you from other applicants134.

Letters of Recommendation

• Two letters of recommendation are required: one from a math or science teacher and one from a humanities, social science, or language teacher2.

Secondary School Report (SSR)

• Your guidance counselor must complete the SSR form and submit it along with your transcript2.

Additional Components

• While SAT Subject Tests are no longer required due to their discontinuation by the College Board in 2021, any scores from before 2021 can be reported if available13.

In summary, while there are no strict minimum requirements, competitive applicants to MIT typically have near-perfect GPAs, top scores on standardized tests, rigorous coursework, strong extracurricular activities, and compelling essays. The admissions process is holistic, considering a range of factors beyond just academic performance.