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Graduate School Application Process

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Apply to Graduate and Professional Schools

 

You have decided where you want to go, for which degree, prepared for the application process and now you are ready to apply. You will need these materials:
Review each program’s list of requirements and deadlines to make sure you have everything. Even within universities, graduate application requirements can differ by department. Call their admissions offices with any questions.
Request Your Transcript
To request MIT transcripts, current students can complete the form available through the MIT Office of the Registrar or visit the Student Services Center in room 11-120. Former students should follow the detailed instructions provided by the MIT Office of the Registrar.
Apply for Financial Aid
Graduate students fund their education in a variety of ways:
  • Grants and assistantships are financial awards that may come in the form of stipends, salary, or tuition remission. Research grants, assistantships, and resident assistantships at the institutions where you are applying.
  • Scholarships and fellowships are financial awards based on a variety of criteria.
  • Federal or private loans can be used to help finance your education, but they must be paid back once you graduate. Keep in mind living expenses as well as tuition costs. Investigate both federal and private loans and review payment terms such as interest rate and length of loan payments
  • Personal savings/Employment/Family Support
 
The best experts on assistantships and fellowships, at MIT or elsewhere, are the staff in the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education (3-138). They also have compendia listing individual fellow­ship programs. For information on aid available in a particular discipline, request information from the graduate office in the corresponding academic department.
Financial Aid Resources
Research and apply for relevant scholarships and fellowships:

MIT Student Financial Services, About Financial Aid

Distinguished Fellowships Abroad
Cornell University Graduate School Fellowship Database
Database of College Scholarships, Graduate School Fellowships and Postdoctoral Awards
National Association of Fellowships Advisors, Scholarships listing
Harvard Office of Career Services Fellowships Listing

 
Loan Information:
 
Graduate School Interviews
Some graduate programs, but not all, require or allow for interviews with faculty members or admissions officers as a criterion for admission.
 
Most graduate programs have faculty committees that review all the applications. Some schools will use an interview process to make their final decision after they have narrowed the applicant pool. This is your chance to show the committee who you are and that you have done your research! Be yourself and focus on why you’re interested in that particular institution (make sure you are current on the faculty research).  Ask thoughtful questions about the school and program. While you are in town to interview, explore the area and meet students.
Generally interviews are by invitation only and cannot be requested. Whenever possible, visit the campus and meet in person rather than speaking on the phone. A campus visit offers you the opportunity to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and gain a better sense of the school’s environment.
 
We recommend that you sign up for a mock interview and review the Interviewing workshop in preparation for a graduate school interview. Also review interviewing tips.
Typical Interview Questions
  • Why do you want a graduate degree?
  • What other schools did you apply to?
  • Why do you think this program is a good fit for you?
  • Tell us about…(a project you worked on that you wrote about in your personal statement).
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses as a student?
Questions you might want to ask
  • What are the degree requirements?
  • Are teaching assistantships available?
  • How long does it typically take students to complete their degree?
  • How accessible are the professors to students?
  • What opportunities are available for students to get involved with research?
  •  Where do graduates get hired after graduation?
Programs and Events
Interview workshops and general graduate school application events are offered by the GECD in the Fall. Visit the GECD Calendar and CareerBridge to register for an event.