Graduate Admissions FAQs and Tips

• When is my application due? May I submit it past the deadline?
• Where should I send my transcripts and other application materials not submitted online?
• Do I have to list all the courses I have taken so far in the Record of Subjects Taken section?
• I can't afford the tuition. Is it worth my time to fill out the application?
• Will supplemental documents that I have published improve my chances?
• What are the average GRE and TOEFL scores of accepted graduate applicants?
• What is the MIT code used by thee Educational Testing Service? What is the Aeronautics and Astronautics code? What tests do I need to take?
• How to I get in touch with the Educational Testing?
• I've been working for the past few years. Do I have to take the GRE exam?

Q. When is my application due? May I submit it late?

A. The graduate application deadline for June and September admission is December 15. Late applications will not be accepted. Please complete your graduate admissions application online. By doing so, you can track the status of the application, and your online recommendations.

Please also note that all supplemental materials, such as transcripts, test scores, and recommendations must be received by our office no later than January 8.

Q. Where should I send my transcripts and other application materials not submitted online?

A. Transcripts and other application materials not submitted online should be mailed to the MIT Aero-Astro Student Services Office at the following address:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Student Services Office, Room 33-208
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139

All transcripts must be sent directly to our department from your university in a signed, sealed envelope. We only accept official, confidential transcripts. If your school sends your transcript directly to you, you may still submit it to us, but only if you do not open the signed, sealed envelope. Please send only one copy of each required transcript to the Aero-Astro Department. We do not need multiple copies. Please note that the same policy applies for recommendations not submitted online.

Q. Do I have to list in the Record of Subjects Taken section all the courses I have taken in the past?

A. At your discretion, you may note every subject you've completed, or only those subjects that you believe have prepared you to do graduate work in our department. Decide what will make you a strong candidate for admission.

Q. I can't afford the tuition. Is it worth my time to fill out the application?

A. Applicants' financial resources are not considered as part of admission decisions. Your financial situation will have no bearing on your application.

Q. Will documents that I have published improve my chances?

A. Faculty members don't have time to read applicants' publications – please don't include them with your application. Your Statement of Objectives is much more critical to the review process. Be sure to be clear and concise about your research goals and how they relate to the MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics Department.

GRE and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Q. What are the average GRE and TOEFL scores of accepted graduate applicants?

The average GRE scores for students accepted to our program for Fall 2007 are: Quantitative - 800, Verbal - 570 (each out of 800) and Analytical - 5.0 (out of 6.0)

The average TOEFL scores for the same group are 270 Computer-based (out of 300), and 111-Internet based (out of 120).

Please note that while there are no minimum GRE score requirements to apply, you must at least score a 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, or a 100 on the internet-based TOEFL in order to eligible to apply to our program.

Q. What is the MIT code used by the Educational Testing Service? What is the Aeronautics and Astronautics code? What tests do I need to take?

A. Official score reports should be sent to the MIT Office of Admissions, ETS code # 3514. The Aeronautics and Astronautics Department code is 1601. The Aero-Astro Department requires scores for the general test.

To insure that your application is complete, take the GRE and TOEFL tests by our application deadline of December 15 . Don't let your application be inadmissible because our office does not have your test scores. Although test scores usually arrive within 10 days after taking the exam, delays are always possible. Be early! Note: it takes additional time to receive GRE and TOEFL scores for international students.

Our office does not accept copies of the score from students. Official scores received directly from ETS are required.

Q. How to I get in touch with the Educational Testing Service?

A. To learn more about ETS, please visit http://www.ets.org/. For more information about TOEFL, see http://www.ets.org/toefl/.

Q. I've been employed for the past few years. Do still I have to take the GRE exam?

A. Yes. All applicants must take the GRE exam, with absolutely no exceptions.

If you have any questions regarding graduate admission to Aero-Astro that aren't addressed on our site, please email us at aa-studentservices@mit.edu.