Thinking about applying to MIT? Here are some helpful tips to make your supplemental essays shine! The prompt: 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) What the Prompt is About: So, MIT wants to know what you plan to study at their school and why. They’re interested in how your background and life experiences have drawn you to your chosen field. Tips: Research your major. Be sure you know everything about MIT’s requirements and offerings related to your major—if you don’t know, they’ll think you don’t care! Be passionate. Try to be as honest and straightforward about your interest in your major so that your true passion shines! Feel free to reference any important experiences or events that caused you to choose your field. The prompt: 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) What the Prompt is About: Essentially, MIT is interested in who you are outside of academics. What do you do for fun? Tips: Don’t make anything up. The extracurricular lives of students at MIT are extremely important to their school culture. So be honest and don’t try to wow them with any fake activities. Be creative. Do you consider YouTube-ing the design and implementation of articulated robots fun? Let MIT know! Everything from your Google History to your 2 a.m. cooking experiments count! The prompt: 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) What the Prompt is About: MIT looks for innovative learners who aren’t afraid to break the norms. So, have you ever taken a unique summer course, skipped a grade, requested to take a challenging class, or even worked with a teacher on an extra-credit project? Say it here! Tips: Show off a little. MIT knows that its applicants are all talented students, so think carefully about your unique strengths and what makes you stand out from others, and incorporate these qualities into your response! Elaborate. Don’t just list an activity you did—go into detail so that your readers know exactly how you practiced “trail blazing” and demonstrated your courage and creativity as a student! The prompt: 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) What the Prompt is About: This is MIT’s “community” prompt—a prompt many schools have, where they ask students to explain how their unique skills and experiences have had positive influences on their communities. Tips: Carefully assess and evaluate your example. As you may have had several instances in your life where you contributed to your communities, brainstorm each and pick the best one. The example you choose should reflect who you are as an individual and a student. For example, if you volunteered at a soup kitchen and created a pre-calculus textbook for high school students in underserved areas, maybe the second example shows MIT a little bit more about who you are. Define “community.” This is important—think about what the word “community” means to you and incorporate your unique definition somewhere in your prompt. The prompt: How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn’t expect? What did you learn from it? (100-200 words) What the Prompt is About: Many schools have a “challenge” prompt that asks you to share how you overcame a meaningful obstacle in your life. MIT wants to know what skills and/or realizations came out of your experience. Tips: Choose a “real” challenge. In other words, think deeply about your life and experiences and don’t shy away from real, hard problems you’ve dealt with. Rather than hearing about how you studied for a challenging science test, MIT may be more interested in how you stayed resilient while being bullied by your classmates. End on a powerful note. As “challenge” essays can typically be dramatic, make sure that you incorporate a powerful takeaway message at the end of your essay that reiterates how you have learned and grown from your experiences.
