About the Transfer Process
- Who is eligible to transfer to MIT?
- Are there specific courses I should take before I can apply to transfer?
- Will my application be reviewed if I have not completed all the recommended course work?
- I have placed out of several of the recommended courses due to Advanced Placement credit. Do I still need to take these courses even though my current college did not require me to do so?
- What is the minimum GPA required for transfer applicants?
- What are the testing requirements?
- What if the SATs aren't available in my country?
- What is a competitive SAT II score?
- What is a competitive TOEFL score?
- Can international students (non-US residents) apply for both fall and spring terms?
- Will I receive credit for all my completed course work if I'm admitted to MIT?
- I have completed two years of college. Will I graduate in two years if I'm admitted to MIT?
- I have been attending college during my senior year in high school. Can I apply as a transfer?
- Are transfer students eligible for financial aid?
- How can I get more information?
Who is eligible to transfer to MIT?
If you have completed two or more terms at an accredited college, university, technical institute, military academy or community
college, you may apply for transfer admission to MIT. We do not, however, admit students who will have finished less than one year of
college or will be within three semesters of acquiring a bachelor's degree at the time of transfer.
Are there specific courses I should take before I can apply to transfer?
Yes. We recommend that prospective transfer students take a variety of mathematics and science courses before applying.
We like to see you taking full advantage of your institution's offerings in these areas. This includes one year each of college-level
calculus and calculus-based physics, and one semester each of biology and chemistry. If you received advanced placement from high
school courses, then you should enroll in the appropriate level for each of the disciplines mentioned above.
Will my application be reviewed if I have not completed all the recommended course work?
Yes. However, at the very least, you should have one year of calculus (or higher level of math, whichever meets your ability level).
Depending on your major, you may have covered more ground in one science discipline or another, or you may have more engineering than
science courses. Fortunately, each decision is made on a case-by-case basis and depends on your course of study and institutional offerings.
It is also very important to understand that the transfer admissions process is highly competitive - even more so than the regular admissions process. Applicants with a wide breadth of mathematics and science courses may be at an advantage. It is rare that a student is admitted without, at the very least, the specified course work in calculus and physics.
Back to topI have placed out of several of the recommended courses due to Advanced Placement credit. Do I still need to take
these courses even though my current college did not require me to do so?
Yes. MIT prefers that students take these subjects (calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology) at the college level. Remember that you can always
place higher within each discipline depending on your abilities. If you are admitted, you will be granted credit for high scores on AP tests.
What is the minimum GPA required for transfer applicants?
There is no minimum required GPA. However, competitive applicants have a GPA of 3.5 or above, and mostly "A"s in mathematics and science courses.
What are the testing requirements?
Results of the following tests are required of candidates at all levels, whatever their curricular history. All candidates must complete
all required tests by the end of January for fall entrance, and by early November for spring entrance.
Native English Speakers
(For those who have been using English at home for more than five years.)
You must take the new SAT I with the writing component and two SAT II subject tests, one in math (Level 1 or Level 2) and one in science (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology E/M). If you already took the Writing SAT II subject test (no longer offered), you may substitute that test for the SAT I requirement.
Non-native English Speakers
(For students whose native language is not English, who have been using English for less than five years or who do not speak
English at home.)
You have two options: you may take the tests required of native English speakers, or you may take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and two SAT II subject tests, one in math (Level 1 or Level 2) and one in science (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology E/M).
Back to topWhat if the SATs aren't available in my country?
Unfortunately, we cannot waive the testing requirements. The exams are given in most countries, with the exception of China.
What is a competitive SAT II score?
While there is no required score, competitive transfer applicants have a 700 or above on each exam.
What is a competitive TOEFL score?
A competitive TOEFL score is 600 or better (250 or better on the computer-based exam). In order to obtain a visa, you must receive a
minimum score of 577 (233 on the computer-based exam).
Can international students (non-US residents) apply for both fall and spring terms?
No. International applicants can only apply for fall admission. If you have any questions about this requirement, contact our office.
Will I receive credit for all my completed course work if I'm admitted to MIT?
No. Transfer students typically lose at least one semester of course work. Credit is assessed by each academic department (not by the Office of Admissions),
only after you are admitted.
I have completed two years of college. Will I graduate in two years if I'm admitted to MIT?
Probably not. Since students lose credit in the transfer, most students enter MIT as a sophomore, regardless of the amount of course
work they completed at their previous college(s). Further, transfer students are required to attend MIT for at least three semesters to be eligible
for graduation.
I have been attending college during my senior year in high school. Can I apply as a transfer?
No. If you are still in high school, you are considered a freshman applicant regardless of how many units of study you may have taken at the university level.
Are transfer students eligible for financial aid?
Yes. Transfers are given the same financial aid consideration as all undergraduate students. Information on financial aid for transfer students
is included with the transfer admissions application. You can also find out more through our Student Financial Services web site.
How can I get more information?
For more information about the transfer application and admission process, write to:
Transfer Admissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 3-103
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
or call 617-253-4770.
