Application Questions
General Questions
Can I transfer into your program?
Can I take classes at MIT outside of a degree program?
What if I am not from the United States?
Can I attend as an exchange student?
Do you have summer or online courses?
Required Documents
Do you require official copies of transcripts?
Can I submit more than three recommendation letters?
How do I check to see if you have received my recommendation letters?
How long should my essay be?
Do I need to provide a writing sample?
Will you review my portfolio before I apply?
Do you have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement?
Standardized Tests
Must I take the IELTS or TOEFL?
My IELTS or TOEFL score is below your requirement. Should I still apply?
What is the ETS institutional code for the Architecture Department?
My Best Test Scores
Do you have minimum scores for the GRE?
What if I have not yet taken the GRE?
Can you confirm that you have received my official test scores?
Previous Applications
I applied to MIT Architecture before. Do you still have my materials?
I was not admitted. Will you provide feedback regarding my application?
After Admissions
Can I defer your offer of admission?
Can I waive credits for classes I have taken prior to coming to MIT?
Can I transfer into your program?
1
The graduate program does not allow transfer students to enter the program. Applicants who have begun another program may qualify for Advanced Placement, the shortened version of the MArch program. Faculty will review all MArch applications and may decide to admit some students with advanced placement, depending on their portfolios.
Undergraduate students wishing to transfer to MIT apply through the central admissions office, not the Department. Freshman may apply for transfer for their sophomore year. Students any further along in their studies at another institution are not considered. You can learn more about applying and about transfers, here: http://mitadmissions.org/apply/transfer/before.
Can I take classes at MIT outside of a degree program?
1
Yes, you can take courses within the MIT Architecture Department. There are two ways you can do this: both require an application.
You can apply to be a special student (http://web.mit.edu/admissions/graduate/special.html), or apply to join the Advanced Study Program (http://web.mit.edu/Professional/advanced-study/index.html).
What if I am not from the United States?
1
The application rules are the same for US and International applicants, and applicants are considered equally. The Department strives for a balance in US vs. international applicants.
Can I attend as an exchange student?
1
We have two exchange programs, on the undergraduate level only: with the University of Hong Kong and the Technical University at Delft. There are no other exchanges available.
Do you have summer or online courses?
1
We have no programs or courses offered during the summer. You may be interested in Harvard’s Career Discovery program. You can learn more, here: http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/#/academic-programs/career-discovery/
MIT provides online course content through MIT OpenCourseWare. Search for Department of Architecture courses by choosing "course 4." These courses are not for credit.
Do you require original copies of transcripts?
1
We expect you to scan your personal, unofficial copies to the online application. Only those applicants who are accepted for admission will be required to send a hard copy of an official, sealed transcript (with English translation) from each school attended. Any discrepancy between the scanned transcripts and official transcripts may result in a rejection or withdrawal of our admission offer. Applicants should NOT send any supplemental material with their application by mail, and only provide those documents required in the application.
How long should my essay be?
1
Please keep your essay 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. If you are interested in another degree in the Department, such as a different SMArchS area to the one you are applying, be sure to note this in your essay.
Can I submit more than three recommendation letters?
1
The requirement is three. The total we will accept is four.
How do I check to see if you have received my recommendation letters?
1
You can always log back in to your application to view your information and see updates from us. The system will let you know if letters are missing from your application on the Letters Status page. If your recommender has trouble uploading their letter, be sure to complete their contact information and have them email the letter to arch@mit.edu.
Do I need to provide a writing sample?
1
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. Multiple writing samples should be compiled into one PDF file.
Will you review my portfolio before I apply?
1
Because of the large number of applicants, we need to rely on the application process for faculty to review portfolios.
Applicants may wish to look at the portfolios on websites such as ISSUU. Some of our students have posted their work there.
Do you have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement?
1
There is no minimum GPA. Be sure to explain your scoring system if it differs from the 4-point US system. The GPA is calculated as an average of all grades on your final transcripts, per degree separately, and entered on the application form.
Must I take the IELTS or TOEFL?
1
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 admissions deadline, it is recommended that candidates take the IELTS or TOEFL on the earliest possible test date. If admitted, enrolling applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to MIT by the Educational Testing Service. Scores must be provided prior to registration, and not be older than two years as of the date of application (or September 15, when the application opens).
My IELTS (TOEFL) score is below your requirement, should I still apply?
1
The Department minimum score is 100 (110 for HTC PhD). If your scores do not meet the minimum required for admission we are not able to admit you. Applications with scores lower than 100 on the TOEFL or 7 on the iELTS, or missing test scores, will not be reviewed at all. If you do not think you need to take this test, see the previous question. We will NOT have access to your "My Best Scores" from ETS. We will see all your test scores you have sent to us.
What is the ETS institutional code for the Architecture Department?
1
Institutional Code: 3514 (IELTS test takers select MIT Graduate Admissions)
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.
My Best Test Scores (ETS)
1
MIT will not provide the Department with the ETS "My Best Test Scores." We will have access to all of the test scores you have sent to us.
Do you have minimum scores for the GRE?
1
The GRE is an important part of the application, but we do not have a minimum score requirement. The GRE will be viewed in support of other application documents.
What if I have not yet taken the GRE?
1
If the GRE is required for your program, you must have the score available prior to December 31.
Can I confirm that you have received my official test scores?
1
Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we cannot verify receipt of every official document. Watch your email and refer to the home screen of your application for messages from our admissions staff. We will contact you if we do not receive what we need to review your application.
I applied to MIT Architecture before. Do you still have my materials?
1
To reapply, students should complete a new application online and submit new documents, including letters. Previous applications are no longer available. 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 new 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.
I was not admitted. Will you provide feedback regarding my application?
1
No. Details about the admissions decisions are not available to applicants.
Can I defer your offer of admission?
1
No. There are no deferrals. Applicants who are admitted but find they cannot attend, will need to reapply. Faculty will review previously admitted applicants equally among the pool of new applicants. Admission for a second time is possible but not guaranteed.
Can I waive credit for classes I have taken prior to coming to MIT?
1
When you enroll in the program, the academic administrator will review your final transcripts to see if have have already completed required courses in the program. If so, you may not waive the credits, but you may waive the requirement. Instead, you can take an elective of your choice. Additionally, you may qualify to TA for classes you have taken previously. You will be granted access to an online TA application system before the semester begins. Some students will receive TAs as part of their admissions package. They will be assigned to their TA position by the program area.