MIT requires a total of six supplemental essays: five required and one optional.
Required Prompts
Prompt 1: What field of study appeals to you the most right now? (Note: Applicants select from a drop-down list). Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you. (100 words)
MIT 'Why Major' Essay Slides
Q: What does your "Why Major" essay prove to MIT?
A:
You have a genuine passion with a specific origin.
You understand MIT's resources and how they uniquely fit your goals.
Your plan for your major is specific and actionable.
Q: What sparked your passion?
A:
Start with a specific moment of discovery.
Example: "Discovering a flaw in a solar panel's code. This revealed my passion for optimizing renewable energy systems."
The origin story makes your interest authentic.
Q: How did you act on it?
A:
Provide concrete evidence of your engagement.
Example: "Building a miniature wind turbine. I analyzed its energy output. I studied the physics of fluid dynamics."
Show a clear link between the inspiration and your actions.
Q: How does MIT fit your vision?
A:
Reference specific MIT faculty, labs, or courses.
Example: "The work of Professor Smith in materials science will deepen my research on new composites for turbine blades."
Connect your personal history directly to MIT's environment.
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
Part 1: The Spark. Start with the personal story behind your question.
Part 2: The Bridge. Connect your question to MIT resources.
Part 3: The Impact. Conclude with a clear vision of the unique insight you hope to gain.
Prompt 2: We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. (150 words)
MIT 'Pleasure Activity' Essay Slides
Q: How to select your pleasure activity?
A:
Pick something informal and low-stakes.
It doesn’t have to be serious or academic.
The activity should provide new insight.
Example: drawing, cooking, a minor craft, sketching, collecting, exploring music.
Q: How do you make your writing stand out?
A:
Show specific details. Where? Time of day? Who? What senses are involved?
Use a short moment or memory that captures the feeling.
Explain why it matters. What does it give you (peace, joy, reset, creativity, perspective)?
Q: How to structure a 150-word essay?
A:
Opening sentence: State the activity and set up a concrete image or moment.
Body: Two small scenes or details.
Reflection: What this activity gives you.
Q: What are the common pitfalls?
A:
Choosing an overused, vague answer without distinct detail.
Prompt 3: While some reach their goals following well-trodden paths, others blaze their own trails achieving the unexpected. In what ways have you done something different than what was expected in your educational journey? (225 words)
MIT 'Blaze Your Own Trail' Essay Slides
Q: What does "something different" mean?
A:
It's not just a unique project; it's a departure from expectation.
Example: Instead of following the traditional math-club route, you founded a student group that used statistics to analyze local public health data.
This shows a proactive, problem-solving mindset.
Q: How to structure your essay?
A:
Part 1: The Expectation. Start by describing the path you were expected to follow.
Part 2: The Departure. Describe the moment you chose a different path.
Part 3: The Insight. Conclude with a reflection on what you learned from this experience.
Q: What to emphasize in the essay?
A:
The essay's core is the insight you gained, not just the problem you solved.
Focus on your specific actions and the tangible results.
The essay's core is the insight you gained, not just the problem you solved.
Prompt 4: MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds together to collaborate, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to lending a helping hand. Describe one way you have collaborated with others to learn from them, with them, or contribute to your community together. (225 words)
MIT 'Collaboration' Essay Slides
Q: How do you pick the right story?
A:
Choose one specific, concrete example of teamwork.
Focus on a project where collaborators brought different skills or ideas.
Example: "Working with a history club and a coding club to build an interactive local history map."
Q: How do you show mutual learning?
A:
Describe a specific challenge you faced together.
Explain how different perspectives led to a better solution.
Example: "My coding-focused approach was rigid. A teammate with a design background suggested a user-friendly interface, which transformed the project's accessibility."
Q: How to structure the essay?
A:
Part 1: The Goal. Introduce the challenge and the team.
Part 2: The Process. Describe the collaboration, highlighting diverse views and mutual learning.
Part 3: The Impact. Explain the outcome and reflect on what you personally learned from the experience.
Q: What should you avoid?
A:
Vagueness: Be specific about your role and the actions taken.
Solo Focus: The hero of the story should be the team, not just you.
Lack of Reflection: Don't just state what you did; explain what you learned about collaboration itself.
Q: Final check?
A:
Is the focus on teamwork, not just your own achievement?
Does it show how different perspectives strengthened the outcome?
Is the reflection on what you learned clear and genuine?
Prompt 6: No application can meet the needs of every individual. If there is significant information that you were not able to include elsewhere in the application, you may include it here. (Many students will leave this section blank—and that’s okay.) (300 words)
MIT 'Additional Information' Essay Slides
Q: What is the goal of this optional essay?
A:
To provide significant information not covered elsewhere.
It's a space to offer context, not to write another full essay.
Remember: Many successful applicants leave this blank.
Q: When should I write something here?
A:
Extenuating Circumstances: Health issues, family duties, or hardships that impacted your record.
Unique Achievements: Experiences not reflected in your activities list.
Clarifications: Gaps in education or an unusual grading system.
Q: What are the common pitfalls?
A:
Repetition: Don't just re-state your personal statement or activities.
Over-explaining: Be concise and stick to relevant facts.
Irrelevant Details: Avoid anecdotes that don't add value to your application.
Q: How should I approach writing it?
A:
Be direct and concise (300-word limit).
Be honest and provide factual context.
Focus on clarity, not a dramatic narrative. Explain the situation and its impact.
Q: Final check?
A:
Is this information truly new and necessary for context?
Does it add value without making excuses?
Is every word important and within the word count?
