Applicant Mentorship Program (AMP)

The Applicant Mentorship Program (AMP) was developed with the goals of making the study of architecture more accessible to broader populations and diversifying the Department of Architecture's student body. AMP pairs prospective applicants with current students who can offer guidance and answer questions throughout the application process. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented populations- underrepresented racial minorities, low-income, or first generation college applicants- to apply, but all are welcome. AMP is oriented toward MArch, SMArchS, SMBT, and SMACT applicants. PhD applicants can sign up but may be directed to contact a faculty member if no suitable student mentors are available. Participation is confidential.

For the 2023-24 academic year, AMP is active during three dedicated mentorship weeks:

October 23-27
November 13-17
January 2-6

Prospective applicants can participate in any or all of these weeks. During the October and November weeks, participants will be paired with a current graduate student mentor. Mentors are available for synchronous video or phone meetings or communication through email and Slack. During the January week, prospective applicants can sign up for up to two 30-minute drop-in meetings with available mentors.

Mentors can provide feedback on all subjective or open-ended application components, including portfolios, statements of objectives, interviews, essays, and advice on who and how to ask for recommendation letters. Mentors can also answer general questions about the application process.

If you are a prospective applicant and would like to participate in AMP, please complete the AMP Mentee Interest Form by the following deadlines:

October mentorship week: October 2, 2023
November mentorship week: October 30, 2023
January mentorship week: December 11, 2023
(January sign-up form will be sent to all who complete the Interest Form) 

Once mentorship matches are made by the department, mentees will be contacted by their mentors to arrange meetings.

Important notes:

• We will do our best to match all interested applicants but cannot guarantee there will be enough mentors for all applicants.
• Participation in AMP does not guarantee admission.

If you are a current graduate student and would like to be a mentor, please complete the AMP Mentor Sign-Up Form by October 1, 2023.  

For additional questions about AMP, please email Lauren Schuller, Diversity, Equity & Belonging Officer. (laurenms@mit.edu)

For procedural or technical questions about application, please email Darren Bennett, Graduate Admissions Coordinator. (darrenb@mit.edu)