How to Get Into MIT from India?

How would you feel studying and earning a degree from MIT – the number one university in the world? Ecstatic, privileged, and immensely proud, right? For many Indian students, the dream of attending MIT is incredibly appealing, but the path to admission is challenging because of intense competition, high academic requirements, stringent standardized test score requirements, and financial constraints. In this guide, we will walk you through the strategies and tips on how to get admission to MIT and provide all the essential information related to MIT.

Why is MIT a Top Choice?

• MIT has been ranked the number one university in the world for 13 years straight by QS World University Rankings. As of 2025, MIT continues to hold the number one spot in the QS World University Rankings.
• Indian students are passionate about studying Computer Science. If you are one of them, MIT’s Computer Science and Information Systems is ranked number one in the world, as per QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
• MIT is the epicenter of innovation, where groundbreaking startups are being launched. The university has produced successful startups such as Dropbox, HubSpot, and Stripe, which have reshaped their industries. For students, this means MIT provides an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.  
• If you are interested in career opportunities offered by MIT, the university conducts career fairs throughout the academic year. In fact, the Fall Career Fair, held in September, is the largest job fair at MIT and one of the biggest in the US, attracting hundreds of companies to the campus.

Tips on How to Get into MIT From India

Below are some tips that can help in increasing your chances of getting admitted to MIT programs:

• Make sure you have a strong academic background with excellent grades. Additionally, take the standardized tests seriously and achieve the scores mentioned in the guide.
• Begin preparation for your application early so that you can organize all the required materials before the start of the application.
• Obtain strong recommendation letters from your teachers, employers, or mentors. Choose individuals who know you well and can articulate your strengths and achievements effectively in their letters.
• Write a compelling essay and personal statement describing your personality, goals, and aspirations. Make sure your letters align with MIT’s mission and values.
• Ensure your resume highlights key skills and demonstrates relevant internships, extracurricular activities, and other accomplishments.
• Make use of MIT OpenCourseWare. Take free courses and complete projects from OpenCourseWare and showcase them in your application. This shows that you are familiar with MIT’s teaching approach.

Different Types of Academic Programs at MIT

MIT offers a wide range of academic programs to students, which are as follows:

• Undergraduate Degrees: MIT enrolls a significant number of undergraduate students locally and from around the world. According to MIT Enrollment Statistics, 4,535 undergraduate students were enrolled for the academic year 2024-2025, out of which 20 undergraduate students are from India.

Programs	Duration	Tuition Fees
Bachelors of Computer Science and Engineering	4 years	Approximately 50 lakhs per year
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Physics

• Graduate Degrees: MIT enrolls a significant number of postgraduate students locally and from around the world. According to MIT Enrollment Statistics, 7,351 graduate students were enrolled for the academic year 2024-2025, out of which 268 graduate students are from India.

Programs	Duration	Tuition Fees
Master of Science Aeronautics and Astronautics	1 – 2 years (Master’s and MBA)	Approximately 52 – 72 lakhs per year
MIT Sloan Master of Business Analytics
MIT Sloan MBA
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

• Specialized Programs: Whether you are starting your career, upskilling, or managing your organization, MIT offers several professional specialized programs. These programs are offered in formats such as short-term courses and certificate courses. The specialized programs are taught in person, hybrid, and online.
• Fees: From a few thousand rupees to lakhs. The price depends on the type of course you choose.
• Duration: A few days to a few weeks.

What are the Main Intakes at MIT?

Below is the breakdown of the main intakes at MIT:

Undergraduate

Intake	Start Date	Application Deadline
Fall (Single Intake)	Mid-August/September	November (Early Admission) and January (Regular Admission) (Previous Year)

** MIT does not offer Spring intake for its undergraduate courses.

Graduate

Intake	Start Date	Application Deadline
Fall (Primary Intake)	September	December/January (Previous Year)
Spring (Limited Availability)	January	Contact the admissions office for deadlines

How to Get into MIT

Here’s a guide for Indian students on how to get into MIT after 12th and for the Masters program:

• Meet the academic requirements: For UG and PG, you need a strong academic performance with an 80% to 90% or higher grade.
• Meet the standardized test requirements: For UG and PG, you need to achieve outstanding test scores, such as TOEFL – minimum 90, IELTS – Minimum 7.0, SAT – 1500 or higher, ACT – 33 or higher, GRE – 320 or higher, and GMAT – 730 or higher.
• Show extra-curricular activities (if any): MIT seeks students who are all-rounders. If you have participated in Olympiads, competitions, volunteering, or internships, these experiences can give you a significant edge over other applicants. Therefore, when applying, make sure to include these extra-curricular activities to showcase your talents.
• Research Experience: If you have applied for research-oriented Master’s programs, having research papers, publications, or experience in a research lab can positively impact your application.

Documents Required for Applying to MIT

• Transcripts
• Standardized test scores documents
• Letters of recommendation
• A statement of objectives
• Resume 

For complete details on admission requirements and more details read, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

How to Apply?

• Both undergraduate and graduate programs at MIT have separate MIT online application portals. Choose the portal based on your program.
• Create an account on the portal. The account allows students to fill out forms and submit documents.
• Log into the account. Choose the appropriate course and fill out your personal details, educational background, and other important details. Additionally, upload the required documents.
• Pay the application fee. The application fee for undergraduate and Master’s programs is $75 (Rs 6,400). On the other hand, the application fee for MIT Sloan School of Management can be from $95 to $250 per program (Rs 8,000 to Rs 21,000).
• Submit the application.

Scholarships and Fellowships for Indian Students to Get into MIT?

MIT offers a variety of scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate level students. Find out the best pick for you.

Undergraduate Scholarships at MIT for Indian Students

MIT Scholarship 

• Description: For domestic and international students (including Indians) who come from low-income backgrounds.
• Eligibility Criteria: You need to be admitted to MIT before applying for aid. Additionally, you must demonstrate financial need, so provide your family’s financial information. The Office of Financial Aid will use the CSS profile to evaluate financial documents to determine how much your family can contribute to your education. 
• Application Deadline: November and February

Graduate Scholarships at MIT for Indian Students

The Inlaks Foundation Scholarship

• Description: For exceptional Indian students to pursue higher studies. The amount depends on the course you choose and it covers tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, and health allowance. The scholarship is not applicable to certain courses. Refer to the link to learn more. 
• Eligibility Criteria: The applicant must be an Indian citizen and born on or after 1st, January 1995. Additionally, the applicant must hold a recognized degree from India. Check out the link for additional requirements.
• Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will be open in February and close in March.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships

• Description: For individuals who have completed an equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree and are committed to returning to India after completion of studies. The fellowship is applicable to certain courses. Refer to the link to know more.
• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian university with a minimum grade of 55%. Additionally, applicants should demonstrate leadership and community service and have at least three years of work experience.
• Application Deadline: Typically around May every year. It is advisable to refer to the official website for accurate deadlines.

Explore more USA Scholarships for Indian Students.

Conclusion

Getting into MIT from India can be a challenge, but it is an achievable goal with thorough preparation and a strong application. Additionally, focusing on academic excellence, extracurricular achievements, and achieving good standardized test scores can increase your chances of securing a spot at MIT. Work hard, and let MIT be the stepping stone to your future aspirations.

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