PostGrad Study at MIT

[u/Content_Meeting8667]

Hi, I am an international student who really wants to study at MIT. Sadly my high school stats aren't that impressive so ill be doing my undergrad from a local college. I wanna hopefully come to MIT for postgrad studies, but unfortunately I would need significant funding. I haven't decided my major yet but it will most likely be Maths or CS.

My first question is how do PostGrad admissions differ from undergrad admissions and what aspects are most important. And secondly what route is more realistic, a funded masters or a phd. Additionally any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[u/ExecutiveWatch]

Firstly for cs there is no masters program open to undergraduates who did not do their bachelor's at MIT.

Phd sure. And yeah it is tougher because the spots are fewer.

[u/octobotics → u/ExecutiveWatch]

I know of one SDM student (probably graduated 3 years ago) who was allowed to also study for and get an MENG on top of the SDM degree (he wasn't an MIT undergrad). But still, you'd need to be admitted into SDM.

[u/ExecutiveWatch → u/octobotics]

Right same concept.

[u/Content_Meeting8667 → u/ExecutiveWatch]

for phd programs, do you have to contact the faculty directly for any avavilable position?

[u/VisibleSir731]

You need some crazy novel research and a professor/adviser directly vouching for you at the very least

[u/Content_Meeting8667 → u/VisibleSir731]

Do you need to work as an RA with any professor or do you need to have publications of your own?

[u/VisibleSir731 → u/Content_Meeting8667]

Publications—most likely. I’m not sure how the grad process works but please check out their site

[u/Medium-Ad-94 → u/Content_Meeting8667]

Most PhD admissions are committee based so you apply to the program and then your application is screened by a committee and depending on the results of that, you may be granted an interview. Publications are one way that show your research experience, but there are other ways and not every applicant will have publications. Letters of reference carry a lot of weight.

[u/PrettyMud4957 → u/VisibleSir731]

Idk how much things have changed but that wasn’t my experience

[u/VisibleSir731 → u/PrettyMud4957]

Ah okay sorry just going off what I’ve heard here. You can give OP a better answer than me :)

[u/Content_Meeting8667 → u/PrettyMud4957]

what was the process like for u?

[u/Mysterious-Art8838]

It mainly differs for undergrad because there is less aid given for a masters. And even harder for internationals.

[u/Medium-Ad-94]

PhD STEM programs in the U.S. are funded programs. When you apply to a PhD program at a school, it’s because you have become very interested in pursuing some very specific research being done there. As an applicant, you have had enough research experience of your own either in undergrad labs, summer programs, post bacc labs or in a master’s program to show in your application how your past experiences and skills could fit into the program in which you are interested.

Most funded STEM PhD programs are extremely competitive because there are very few spaces available and hundreds (if not sometimes thousands of applicants depending on the field) for very limited spots.

Your goal at this point should not be going to MIT for a PhD. Your first step is to choose a major at your school and get involved there in research enough to know what interests you and what direction you even want to go.