All graduate admissions are processed within the Department of Architecture. However, specific procedures and requirements vary depending on the degree program and discipline. As noted above, this section gives only general guidelines. Applicants should follow instructions detailed under the degree program of their interest. Detailed instructions on the application itself are provided at the bottom of this page. Be sure to read all of the directions on this page, including the FAQ page. Read every question even if you think it doesn't pertain to you.

All programs require a personal statement, three recommendation letters and transcripts. Here is a snapshot of other degree requirements for quick reference:
GRE: Required for MArch, SMBT, PhD programs.
IELTS/TOEFL: Required for all students for whom English is not a first language. The Department requires a score of 7 for IELTS and 100 for TOEFL (110 for HTC PhD).
Portfolio: Required for MArch, SMArchS, SMACT. Portfolios are optional, but recommended, for SMArchS HTC, SMBT, and PhD. Writing samples may be substituted where relevant and are expected for HTC PhD. Portfolios will be digital PDF files. For most programs applicants will upload their files to the online system. ACT applicants will mail their portfolios on CDs.

See specific program admissions requirements:
MArch Admissions

SMArchS: HTC and AKPIA  Urbanism  Architectural Design  Building Technology  Design and Computation  History, Theory and Criticism

SMBT Program

Art, Culture and Technology

Doctoral Programs: Building Technology  Design and Computation
History, Theory and Criticism

Deadline and Submission

The application deadline is December 31, 2013. All application material must be received by deadline. Late applications will not be reviewed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to be sure that the application is completed and all supporting materials are received at the following address by the deadline.

MIT Department of Architecture
Attn: Admissions
77 Massachusetts Ave., Room 7-337
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Telephone: (617) 715-4490

Online Application

All applicants will use the Architecture-specific online application: https://gradapply.mit.edu/architecture/apply/login/. The Architecture Graduate Application will be activated in Mid-September, is unique to Architecture, and is not used by any other department.

Application Fee

Application to MIT requires a non-refundable fee of $75 USD payable by credit card.

Recommendations

All applicants should submit (only) three letters of recommendation. Applicants will use the online application system to invite recommenders to submit letters online.

Transcripts

A scanned PDF copy of an original transcript (or English translation) from each university should be uploaded in the application. In addition, we require that one official copy of each transcript (with English translation) be sent by December 31 to:
Architecture Graduate Admissions
77 Massachusetts Ave., Room 7-337
Cambridge, MA 02139

Statement of Objectives

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.

English Proficiency Requirement

IELTS/TOEFL scores are required for EVERY applicant whose first language is not English. There are no exceptions. Previous education in English will not suffice. Check English Proficiency Requirement under the degree of your interest for specific information on minimum scores.

Applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to MIT by IELTS International or Educational Testing Service. IELTS and TOEFL Scores must be no older than two years as of the date of application. To avoid delays, please use the following codes when having your TOEFL scores sent to MIT:

Institutional Code: 3514
Department Code: 12

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Some degree programs require GRE scores, but not all of them. There is no minimum score. ONLY the General Test is required (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical). You DO NOT have to take any subject tests.

Portfolios

Many of our degrees require that you submit a portfolio, including for those applicants who do not have a previous architecture degree or background. The portfolio should include evidence of recent creative work: personal, academic and/or professional. Choose what you care about, what you think is representative of your best work, and what is expressive of you. Written material (articles or papers) may be included with the application, and are particularly appropriate for the PhD programs. Portfolio requirements vary by program. Be sure to review the portfolio requirements specific to the program to which you are applying. Applicants whose programs require portfolios should plan to upload an electronic version to the online application with the exception of the Master of Science in Art, Culture and Technology Program. ACT portfolios will be mailed on CD to the Architecture Department.

Resumes / CVs

Resumes / CVs are not required. If you must submit a CV, please include it as a page in your portfolio. There is no place to upload a copy of your CV, and we will not forward paper copies to the admissions committees.

Interviews

An interview is not required for application but are recommended for all the PhD programs, the Master of Science in Art Culture and Technology (SMACT) and Master of Science in Building Technology programs (SMBT).

Reapplying

Students who wish to reapply should contact the Department to let us know. We save applications for two years, but not portfolios. Applicants should use the online application system to submit a new application. We will retrieve your previous transcripts, recommendation letters and test scores and combine them with your new materials. Plan to update any documents that may have changed, such as test scores or transcripts. If possible, include one new letter of recommendation to show the admissions committee that you are actively reapplying.

Contact

Admissions coordinator:

• Telephone: (617) 715-4490
• Facsimile: (617) 253-8993
• arch@mit.edu

MIT is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment and abides by its nondiscrimination policy in administering the admissions process.

Offers of Admission/Admissions Acceptance

Timing of admission notification varies by program. Normally decisions are made by early March and applicants are notified either by telephone or email. Admissions offers may extend until April 15. In some cases wait list letters will be issued. Students who are admitted from a wait list may be notified after April 15 of their admittance.

Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants

Acceptance of an offer of financial support *(such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be defined carefully and understood by all parties.

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of this Resolution or a link to the URL should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer.

When will I hear about the result of my application?

Each of our 12 degree programs will notify applicants at different times and in different ways, beginning in early March. All applicants will know their status by April 1. Please do not contact us to inquire about the status of your application before April 1.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is December 31 at midnight.

I submitted an application but would like to know if you have received my original documents. How do I check?

You will not be able to submit your application if it is incomplete, but the system will allow you to submit if letters have not yet arrived. The application system will let you know if recommendation letters are missing from your application. You will be able to edit the application information after you have submitted it. Because we also require you to send your official transcrips and test scores directly to the Department, you may wish to know whether we have received official documents. As we move closer to the deadline, it will become impossible for us to respond to every request for document verification. While we are reviewing your materials, we will contact you if anything is missing. Please do not call or email the office to see if we have received your documents.

Why did I not receive a confirmation email when I submitted my application?

When your application is complete and the system lets you submit it, it gets submitted. There is no need for a confirmation email. You may log into the system at any time to review or update your information. Do not edit your information after February 1, 2013.

I opened my official transcripts in order to scan them. What should I do?

You should contact your school and have them resend you a set of original transcripts in sealed envelopes to send to us. We expect you to scan your personal, unofficial copies.

Can I submit five recommendation letters?

No. The requirement is 3. The total we will accept is four.

Do I need to upload a writing sample?

You only need to upload a writing sample if it is relevant to the program to which you are applying. Normally, this is only for the History, Theory and Criticism programs.

My IELTS (TOEFL) score is below your requirement, should I still apply?

If your scores do not meet the minimum required for admission, or if you have not taken the test, we will not be able to admit you. Applications with low and missing test scores will not be reviewed. The latest possible test date that you can take and still submit the scores to us is December 1. If you do not think you need to take this test, see the next question.

Must I take the IELTS (TOEFL)?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of each and every single applicant whose first language is not English, regardless of citizenship or residency in the US while attending other educational institutions. No exceptions are made. If you did your undergraduate studies in the US but are from a non-English speaking country you DO need to take the IELTS/TOEFL. If you are from the US but were raised speaking another language, you DO need to take the IELTS/TOEFL. However, if you were raised in a non-English speaking country but have spoken and been educated in English all your life, you do not. The Admissions Committees regard English proficiency as crucial for success in all degree programs. In order to meet the December 31, 2013 admissions deadline, it is recommended that candidates take the IELTS or TOEFL on the earliest possible test date. Applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to MIT by the Educational Testing Service. Scores must be no older than two years.

What is the ETS institutional code for the Architecture Department?

Institutional Code: 3514
Department Code: 12

Note that is not important for you to enter the Department Code. All scores are sent to the same MIT central database for viewing by all admissions staff, so your score will be available to us.

I applied to MIT Architecture before. Do you still have my materials?

We save application materials for two years but do not save portfolios due to space and because this is often the reason an application was not accepted. To reapply, students should complete a new form online and contact Darren Bennett to have him retrieve your previous material. Students should submit any paperwork that has changed, such as test scores or transcripts. Students should also submit one additional recommendation letter. English test scores (IELTS/TOEFL) are only valid for two years and GRE scores for five, so these need to be replaced if they are expired as of the date of your application.

There is no deferral of admissions. If you are accepted and do not attend, you will need to reapply. Applications that were accepted one year have no guarantee of future acceptance. All applications are reviewed in light of the current applicant pool.

Can I or should I apply to two different degree programs within the Department of Architecture?

No. You should apply to the program that best matches your educational goals, and note this clearly in your Personal Statement. Applicants to the PhD programs are automatically reviewed also for the SMArchS program of that same group. Sometimes applicants to the PhD programs are instead admitted to the SMArchS program.

How long should my personal statement be?

Faculty have a lot of reading to do. It is wise to keep your personal statement to under two pages. Present your information in a clear and concise manner. Describe your goals in obtaining a degree here, and how you are qualified to do so.

I was not admitted. Will you provide feedback regarding my application?

No. Admissions decisions are conducted behind closed doors and are not available to applicants.

Can I "friend" staff members of the Department on Facebook or other social media sites?

Please don't. We have official Facebook and Twitter feeds that are meant for this purpose. You can learn more about them on the School's website, here: http://sap.mit.edu/resources/media/social

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted a six-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Master's degree programs may consist of a preprofessional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the preprofessional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The 2009 Procedures for Accreditation and the 2010 Conditions for Accreditation are available in the Rotch Library and in the headquarters of the Department of Architecture. Revised guidelines will be available when they are made official. Information regarding accreditation also may be accessed via the NAAB website at www.naab.org.