How to Write the MIT Supplemental Essays 2024-2025

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With an admission rate below 4%, MIT is highly competitive. As one of the top research institutions in the world, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is known for both its unparalleled research opportunities and its selective admissions process. Thousands of students apply each year to study computer science, mechanical engineering, and many other STEM and Humanities fields. 

Unlike other universities, MIT uses MyMIT rather than the Common App to process applications. While you don’t have to worry about your personal statement, that also means that your MIT supplemental applications will function as both your personal statement and supplemental responses. To help students through the writing process, here is InGenius Prep’s guide to the MIT supplemental essays for 2024-2025.

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MIT Application Essays 2024-2025

  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. (100–200 words)

The diverse range of fields of study offered at MIT allows students to find their true calling and embrace their passions. One effective strategy for approaching this prompt is to reflect on the subjects that have consistently captivated and motivated you. Are you drawn to the intricacies of artificial intelligence or the potential of renewable energy? By introspecting and exploring your genuine curiosity, you can authentically articulate your passion for a specific field of study at MIT.

Moreover, it is crucial to research the resources and opportunities that MIT provides in the chosen field. As a world-renowned institution, MIT offers unparalleled facilities and renowned professors in various fields. You can highlight your awareness of these resources to further strengthen your response. Whether it is the cutting-edge laboratories equipped with the latest technology or the interdisciplinary collaborations that foster innovation, demonstrating an understanding of how MIT’s offerings align with your interests will showcase your commitment and enthusiasm.

By carefully considering your own interests and conducting thorough research about what MIT has to offer, you can effectively convey your unwavering dedication and motivation for a specific field of study at MIT. This prompt serves as a gateway for you to showcase your perspectives, aspirations, and how you envision contributing to the academic community at MIT.

  1. 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. (100–200 words)

MIT values students who are particularly invested in activities and topics that are meaningful to them, no matter what the scale. If you have a highly meaningful hobby that isn’t a conventional extracurricular per se, MIT is telling you to go for it. Just the introductory paragraph of most essays requires over 100 words; you might find it difficult to restrain yourself while talking about your favorite activity. In order to get your point across, you need to put less emphasis on describing the activity—limit it to one or two sentences – and more on what brings you joy about it. Why is it your favorite? How does it recharge you in a way others may not? Has it shaped your perspective in a significant way?

Since Admissions Officers will see your activities list through MyMIT, you should find ways to include anecdotes that will convey additional information about yourself. While you should not pick a purely academic activity or something that you think MIT wants to hear, you also should think of something beyond sleeping, eating, or hanging out with friends. Your outlook on the activity should be unique and help you stand out among your peers.

  1. 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? (100–200 words)

This is a new prompt from MIT for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Here, MIT is asking students to reflect on the ways they have gone off the beaten path and done something atypical in their schooling. 

MIT is a school of innovators and risk-takers. Though many STEM students tend to follow the rules to a “T,” a large part of innovation is taking calculated risks and doing something unexpected. Admissions Officers are trying to find students who embody those ideals, who break from tradition and choose to go against convention (with good reason)!

For this question, think of examples where you approached a problem with a new or creative mindset. Was there a time when you chose to test a different idea in an experiment, tried a new methodology during your research, or deliberately veered off-course to pursue something important to you? You could talk about big-picture risks like pursuing a different major than what your parents expected or something smaller like conducting a passion project even if others said it would be too difficult. 

Explain the situation, what was expected of you, and why you chose to go against those expectations to pursue something meaningful. Ultimately, this prompt gives you the opportunity to show Admissions Officers your ability to lead, follow your own direction, and learn something new by taking risks. 

  1. 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. (100–200 words)

Since the prompt clearly states that there are no specific boxes that your choice of community has to check, think about a place where you’ve actually made an impact. Think about how to differentiate yourself—while service trips abroad definitely could count as community service, they won’t help paint a memorable picture of you because lots of students participate in them. You could write about the smaller circles such as your family, friend group, or neighborhood. You may have helped the community as a whole, or you could have helped one or two individuals who belong to it. 

To think about the kinds of contributions to elaborate on, ask yourself the following questions:

  • How have you collaborated with others in your community?
  • Have you taken any risks to help others? How have they paid off?
  • Have you spearheaded any initiatives towards change?
  • Are there any service examples that portray your curiosity and creativity?
  • Why do you care about this community? How have you shown it? 

If you choose a larger community—like your whole school or city—make sure your essay still focuses on your own contribution and role. A response to such a prompt needs to follow the classic “show, not tell” advice. Admissions Officers won’t be satisfied with just “I helped my family.” You need to dig deeper and convince them through the MIT application essays 2024-2025 that you are the kind of hardworking and passionate individual who can thrive at MIT.

  1. How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it? (100–200 words)

MIT values candidates “who are not only planning to succeed but who are also not afraid to fail.” When Admissions Officers read prompts about challenges students have overcome, they don’t want to know every single detail about the hurdle. The response should be more focused on the way the student reacted in the situation and how they’ve grown from the circumstances. Don’t pick an experience where you gave up easily after failing to do something. Your essay should highlight your strength and resilience in the face of an obstacle.

The definition of a “challenge” may vary from person to person. The keyword here is “significant.” Avoid writing about situations such as a bad grade or a sprain playing soccer that might be minor in comparison to issues other students have faced. Instead, think about an instance that showcases how your ability to recover from a struggle and proves your determination as well as your humility. Instead of writing general statements, focus your essay on the actions you took during the situation and the lessons you picked up. 

This is a great opportunity to tell Admissions Officers about the way you respond to tough moments – end your essay on a positive note!

Additional Tips for Writing the MIT Application Essays 2024-2025

Use Your Common Application Profile As Inspiration: Chances are, other schools on your list use the Common Application, so you’ve already filled it out. The Common App can be a great source of letting you know the kind of context colleges want to know about you. If there’s anything that you’ve mentioned in the Common App that you haven’t gotten a chance to express for MyMIT—whether it’s mentioned in your personal statement topic or an impressive award—you may be able to include it somewhere in your response to the MIT application essays 2024-2025!

Read the Website Very Carefully: Research is extremely important before sitting down to answer school-specific questions, and the MIT application essays 2024-2025 are no different. Luckily, MIT has very detailed information for prospective students that can help you go deeper into Admissions Officers’ minds. Use the information given on the “What we look for” page to get an idea of which characteristics you should emphasize in your responses.

Use Strong Examples: The MIT application essays 2024-2025 are all about gauging your intellectual pursuits, community involvement, and engagements outside the classroom. Since the word limits for the prompts aren’t generous, each of your essays should focus on being as specific as possible in depicting your personality and interests. Adding specific examples lets Admissions Officers understand your perspective better and envision the areas of campus where you’d contribute and how you’d fit in with the MIT community.

The key takeaway for the MIT supplemental essays is that Admissions Officers want to get a sense of how you operate as a student. Supplemental essays are your chance to show Admissions Officers that you fit in with the community at MIT. The ideal applicant will embody MIT’s values and display how they will contribute to the school and to their field of study. Keep these ideas in mind and approach these prompts like the perfect MIT student. Good luck!

If you’re looking for more help on your supplemental essays and other writing materials, InGenius Prep is here to help! Our team of Former Admissions Officers from the top schools (like MIT) know what admissions offices are looking for. Book a free strategy call today and become one of the 6,000 students we’ve helped get an acceptance letter from their dream school!

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