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Frequently Asked Questions

What can I go on to do after completing this program?

The HASTS program attracts students from around the world who seek an interdisciplinary program that will prepare them primarily as professional scholars. Other have applied their training to careers in law, business, journalism, and museum work.

Do I need a Master's Degree to apply to the HASTS doctoral program?

No

How can I find out more about whether this program is an appropriate fit for my academic background?

Students in the HASTS program come from a wide range of academic disciplines and professional spheres. Reading student and faculty bio pages may help to determine whether this program is right for you. Prospective students are encouraged to contact a HASTS faculty member or student who is appropriate to their area of research and interest.

What is the average time to degree?

6.8 years

What kind of financial support is available for admitted students?

Funding for HASTS doctoral students (as of the entering class AY07) includes five years of guaranteed support. This covers MIT tuition, 9 months of stipend, and 12 months of individual health insurance annually. Funding is provided through a combination of fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and the like.

Does MIT have on campus housing for graduate students?

Yes, MIT offers an expanding array of options for graduate and family housing on campus and provides information for students who wish to live off-campus.

Where can I see more information about general policies and procedures relating to graduate students at MIT?

On the Graduate Student Office's website at http://web.mit.edu/gso/.

Is an interview or visit to the program necessary to be admitted?

No

What is the admissions committee looking for in my application?

We cannot give probabilities of acceptance. The admissions committee is made up of faculty from all three departments, and participants vary from year to year. Test scores are only one component of an application, and the admissions committee takes the entire application into consideration when making their decision. Essays describing research interests and intellectual direction are critical. Students should express long term interests in science and technology and their historical and social dimensions.

Can I apply for spring enrollment?

No. Admitted students are required to begin the course in September.

My Application

Where do I send my application?

When applying to the program online through Graduate Admissions, applicants are still required to send a hard copy of their writing sample and any other supporting materials to:

Doctoral Program in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, E51-185
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307

Are the GREs required for my application? What is the HASTS departmental code?

Although there is no minimum GRE score to apply, students are required to take the general test (a subject test is not required) and submit their scores. GRE scores are good for five years. The GRE code for the HASTS program is 2703.

Is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) required for my application if I have studied in a US/English speaking institution?

Students whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS. Students who have received instruction in English in their primary and secondary schools and students who have been in the US for four years or longer and have received a degree from an American institution may be eligible for a waiver of the TOEFL requirement by sending a written request to the department.

What are the minimum score requirements for the TOEFL and IELTS?
A minimum score of 577 on the paper-based TOEFL (233 for computer-based, 90 for internet-based) is required for visa certification. For the IELTS, a minimum score of 7 is required. Test scores should be obtained from the past two years.

How do I submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score?
When sending TOEFL scores, use MIT's institutional code, 3514. For the IELTS, you must request your offical test scores be sent directly from the test center where you take the exam. There are no institutional codes. You should request that the test scores be sent to:

Graduate Admissions Office
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 3-103
Cambridge, MA 02139

Can my recommendations be sent electronically?

When you submit your application through MIT Graduate Admissions online, a message is sent to your evaluators with a link to an online evaluation form. If an evaluator prefers to use the paper form, please ask him/her to mail it in a sealed envelope directly to the department (at the address above). Paper forms can be found within the downloadable application (starting on page 31) on the Graduate Admissions website.

On my application, do I need to fill out the Record of Subject section?

This portion of the application is not required, but it may be useful for applicants who wish to highlight portions of their academic record that are not self-explanatory from the transcripts.

Can MIT waive my $70.00 application fee?

The admissions application fee must always be paid by someone. In very few instances, the $70.00 application fee may be paid by the Graduate Student Office or the department in the case that the applicant is unable to afford the fee.

What kind of writing sample should I submit?

There are no parameters for the writing sample in terms of content, but its length should not exceed that of an article or chapter.

Admissions Time Table

What is the deadline to submit my application, and do all my materials need to be received by that date?

Applications must be recieved or postmarked by January 1st. Incomplete applications will continue to be processed until the admissions committee begins the review process.

When will I be notified on the status of my application?

The HASTS admissions committee normally begins reviewing applications in mid to late January. Notification is sent to admitted students in writing immediately following the completion of that process. Admitted students must notify the Institute of their intentions by April 15.