Admissions Information for Master of Architecture

Applicants seeking admission to the MArch program compete each year for the approximately 30 places available. An admissions committee made up of both faculty and MArch students evaluates applicants individually. There is no specific "type" of applicant; MIT seeks to accept people with varied backgrounds and experiences. Applicants must demonstrate intellectual achievement, motivation, discipline, responsibility, imagination, perception and an open mind. Projects and experiences are judged, not only on their intrinsic merit, but also on evidence of the applicant's ability to initiate and follow through on work which is personally meaningful.

Students entering without any previous formal study of architecture will normally take 3-1/2 years to complete the MArch degree program. We admit a large enough group of graduate students in this category to form a cohesive class. They begin with one year of common architectural design studio and develop a sense of continuity and support for each other and for the activities of the department.

Those applicants who have taken architectural design at accredited architecture schools will be given some credit and/or advanced standing for their previous academic work. Their point of entry into the design sequence is determined by the admissions committee. The stipulated residency requirement for the Master of Architecture degree is normally 2-1/2 years.

Applicants who already hold professional degrees are not admitted to the MArch program but instead should apply to the SMArchS program of their choice.

MArch Admissions Requirements

The program requires the following academic preparation:

A Bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized institution or, in the judgement of the department, the equivalent of this degrees.
Two semesters of satisfactory study in college-level mathematics (such as, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus).
Two semesters of satisfactory study in college-level natural sciences (such as, physics, biology, chemistry).
Six semesters of satisfactory study in college-level humanities and/or social sciences.

Students may be admitted with limited deficiencies in 2, 3, or 4 above, but this deficiency must be removed prior to entry into the second year of graduate study in the department.

English Requirement / TOEFL

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of those applicants whose first language was not English, regardless of residency in the U.S. or attendance at other U.S. educational institutions. No exceptions are made. The admissions committee regards English proficiency as crucial for success in all degree programs. In order to meet the admissions deadline, it is recommended that candidates take the TOEFL on the earliest possible test date.

The minimum TOEFL score required for MArch candidates is 600 (250 for computer-based test and 100 for the Internet-based). Applicants must ask the Educations Testing Service to send official test results directly to MIT. Scores must be no more than two years old. To avoid delays, please use the following codes when having your scores sent to MIT:
Institution Code: 3514
Department Code: 4401

All students whose first language is not English are required to take the English Evaluation Test (EET) prior to registration at MIT. Even students who satisfy the TOEFL requirement for admission may be required to take specialized subjects in English as a Second Language (ESL), depending on their EET results. ESL subjects do not count toward the required degree credits.

Applicants may also submit a score of 7 or above from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in lieu of the TOEFL score.

Graduate Record Examination

Applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. In order to meet the admissions deadline, it is recommended that candidates take the GRE on the earliest possible test date. Test scores must be no more than five years old. To avoid delays, please use the following codes when having your scores sent to MIT:
Institution Code: 3514
Department Code: 4401

Portfolio

A non-returnable portfolio is required of all MArch applicants, including those who do not have a previous architecture degree or background. The portfolio should include evidence of recent creative work: personal, academic and/or professional. Work done collaboratively should be identified as such and your role in the project defined. Your name, address, and the program to which you are applying should also be included.

We expect that the portfolio will be made by the applicant. While there is no strict format, all the material should be contained in one notebook, folder or envelope. We have found that 8-1/2" x 11" (22 x 28 cm) notebooks are most suitable. We suggest that you select a limited number of examples which are easy for us to look at; do not send slides, CDs or videos. Web-based portfolios are not acceptable and will not be reviewed.

Choose what you care about, what you think is representative of your best work, and what is expressive of you.

Application Deadline

The Application for Graduate Admission should be requested directly from the MIT Graduate Admissions Office. An application for admission in September must be received by December 15 of the previous year (for example, applications for Fall of 2008 must be received by December 15, 2007). The MArch program does not accept applications for entry in the spring term. It is the responsibility of the applicant to be sure that the completed application forms and all supporting materials are received by the department on time at the following address:

MIT Department of Architecture
77 Massachusetts Ave., Room 7-337
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Attn: Admissions

Telephone: 617-253-7387

Applicants will be notified by mail of the Department's decision by April 1. No decisions will be given by telephone.

You will receive an email by the third week of December to let you know if your application is complete or if there are any pieces still missing. If so, you will have time to resubmit any missing materials.

Quick Links
Test of English as a Foreign Language
Graduate Record Examination
MIT Graduate Admissions Office