Admissions
To view all fifteen degrees that the Department of Architecture offers, see this chart.
Undergraduate Admission
Students who wish to study architecture at MIT must first be accepted to MIT. At the end of the first year MIT students decide which course of study they wish to pursue. The Undergraduate Degrees page contains information specific to the undergraduate admissions.
Graduate Admission
Admission to the graduate programs in the Department of Architecture is handled by the Department, but students are encouraged to use MIT's web-based admission system. Applicants who use the web-based system do not need to mail application forms the the Department, but all other supporting documents should all be sent directly to the Department of Architecture. The Masters Degrees page lists specific details regarding applications to the Department's Masters degree programs. Specific information pertaining to the doctoral programs is listed on the Doctoral Degrees page.
General Graduate Admissions Procedure
All degree programs begin in the fall term. The Application for Graduate Admission used by all graduate programs at MIT can be completed online or downloaded and sent to the MIT Department of Architecture by December 15 (portfolios may arrive until January 4, 2010). It is the responsibility of the applicant to be sure that the completed application forms and all supporting materials are received by the department by the deadline. Applicants will be notified via e-mail approximately three weeks after the admission deadline regarding missing application materials.
Students interested in applying to more than one degree program must submit a separate application and fee to each department and/or degree program.
Please submit the following along with the MIT Graduate Application for Admission to the Department of Architecture.
- Financial Statement form
- MIT Biographical Data Form
- International Student Data Form
- Official transcripts for each undergraduate and graduate institution attended
- Scores from Required tests (i.e. GRE, IELTS academic version, or TOEFL). The IELTS or TOEFL is required for ALL students whose first language is not English, regardless of previous educational history or citizenship. We do not have a minimum required score for the GRE. The GRE is reviewed along with all application materials. view English requirements
- A Statement of Objectives describing your personal interest, background, and motivation for the study of architecture. If applying to more than one program, complete a separate statement for each.
- Three letters of recommendation from teachers, professionals, and/or others who know your work. (Download recommendation form.)
- Non-refundable application fee. Payment should be made by check or money order in US Currency, payable to the MIT Admissions Office. On line applicants can pay their application fee by debit/credit card or check (US bank accounts only).
In addition, MArch, SMArchS and SMVisS applicants must submit a non-returnable portfolio. PhD applicants must submit research and writing samples. For more specific information, visit the admissions page relevant to the degree program to which you are applying.
Send all materials to this address:
Admissions Coordinator
Department of Architecture, Room 7-337
Attn: Admissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Contact the admissions coordinator with any questions:
Telephone: (617) 715-4490
Facsimile: (617) 253-8993
Send e-mail
MIT is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment and abides by its nondiscrimination policy in administering the admissions process.
Tips for Applying
These tips are provided to help your application receive the attention it deserves.Application Materials
- Write your name clearly on every item. Use the same name on all items and correspondences.
- Begin the application process weeks in advance of the deadline. Try to get all test scores and recommendation letters in hand and ready to send at least 1 week prior to the deadline. Plan to send early to save mailing fees.
- Original recommendation letters can be sent to you in a signed/sealed envelope and forwarded to our office.
- Try to send your materials in as few envelopes as possible, i.e., in one package. This cuts your costs and reduces waste, but it also helps keep your materials together. Please be mindful of the materials used in your packaging. (Recyclable packaging is appreciated, but will not influence your chances of admission.)
- Research our faculty members and the work they are doing. Make note of the work you find interesting in your personal statement. A match between your academic pursuits and the work performed here is important. Additional information is available on the School of Architecture and Planning website, in the Portfolio section.
- Spell "architecture" correctly on your portfolio.
- Spend more time on the work presented in your portfolio than on the portfolio itself.
- When printing your portfolio, save a digital copy, and make several back up copies. Have these ready in case yours is lost in the mail.
- Send us the final version of your portfolio. Do not send replacement versions. These are likely to be confused with the original copies. Proof every word in your portfolio before printing it.
The design of your portfolio should be friendly to the reader and allowfor convenient handling. Complex designs with ornate folds or multiple pieces of different sizes make review difficult.
Your portfolio will be placed into a folder and circulated among several faculty members. It should not fall apart as a result of this handling.
Will not be reviewed.
Quick Links
MIT graduate application form
nondiscrimination policy
Diversity commitment
