Applying

• How can I tell if I'm eligible to apply for transfer to MIT?
• What coursework do I need to complete before I apply to transfer?
• What are the transfer application requirements?
• What entrance exams are required?
• What are the application deadlines?
• How will my past coursework be credited at MIT?
• Questions and Contact

MIT admits a small number of transfer students from other colleges and universities each year. Entry in September is open to all students; entry in February is open to US citizens and permanent residents only. Below you can find more information on all aspects of the transfer application process.

How can I tell if I'm eligible to apply for transfer to MIT?
If you have completed two or more terms with high academic standing at an accredited college, university, technical institute or community college, and you are entitled to honorable dismissal, you may apply to MIT for transfer. However, we cannot accept applications from students who at the time of entry will have finished less than one year of college or who would be within three terms of earning their bachelor's degree.

The international transfer pool is extremely competitive, and international citizens are eligible for September entry only. All of the standard application requirements apply.

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What coursework do I need to complete before I apply to transfer?
Ideally, every applicant for admission should present college coursework in calculus, calculus-based physics, chemistry, and biology. Core graduation requirements for all majors at MIT are two semesters of college calculus and calculus-based physics, and one semester each of chemistry and biology.

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What are the transfer application requirements?

• Application for Transfer Admission form. This form includes biographical information, educational history, a list of course work completed, and required essays.
• Application fee of $65. The fee is not refundable. If you think you may qualify for a fee waiver, please contact our office.
• Official transcript of your college record to date.
• High school transcript.
• Three evaluation forms from faculty instructors. Please note that evaluations are a very important factor in the decision process for transfer students. The better the evaluator knows you, the more helpful the recommendation will be. You're also welcome to provide additional references from employers, teaching assistants, etc.

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What entrance exams are required?
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).

The College Board offers its examinations in the principal cities of the United States and abroad. The test dates, locations and fees for the current year are outlined in an Information Bulletin which may be obtained from most high school guidance offices or by writing directly to the College Board, Box 6200, Princeton, New Jersey U.S.A. 08541-6200, or on the web on The College Board home page.

The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service, TOEFL/TSE, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey U.S.A. 08541-6151.

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What are the application deadlines?
For September entry, we must receive your final application with all supporting documents by March 15. (Transcripts should be sent as soon as they are available; if you are applying from your first year, you should send your first-term grades along with your application, and arrange to have second-term grades forwarded as soon as available.)
For February entry, we must receive your final application with all supporting documents by November 15. (Remember, if you are a citizen of a foreign country, you may apply for September entry only.)

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How will my past coursework be credited at MIT?
If we admit you as a transfer student, you can expect to receive credit for subjects of study that are substantially equivalent to corresponding MIT subjects and that you took in a full-time day program at an accredited institution. If your academic record doesn't appear to merit credit in a certain subject, you may be allowed to demonstrate, by passing an Advanced Standing Examination, that you are entitled to such credit. Academic credit is not assessed until after you are admitted to MIT, at which point it is evaluated by the relevant academic departments. If you would like to compare the courses offered at your institution to MIT's, you can refer to the MIT Bulletin (Course and Degree Catalogue) which can be viewed online.

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Questions and Contact

If you have more questions about transfer admissions, write to:

Transfer Admissions
Room 3-103-T
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307

or call 617-253-4770

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