Massachusetts Institute of Technology Supplemental Essay Prompts
Cambridge, MA · applies via its own portal (not the Common App)
2026-27 prompts aren't published yet. Shown below are 2025-26's prompts, clearly labelled as last year's and kept only as a reference — confirm the current prompts on the school's own page. We update within days of the new ones going live.
- 1100 wordsRequiredwhy major
What field of study appeals to you the most right now? Tell us more about why this field of study at MIT appeals to you.
Source - 2150 wordsRequiredpersonal
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.
Source - 3225 wordsRequiredchallenge
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?
Source - 4200 wordsRequiredcommunity
MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds together to collaborate… Describe one way you have collaborated with others to learn from them, with them, or contribute to your community together.
Source - 5200 wordsRequiredchallenge
How did you manage a situation or challenge that you didn't expect? What did you learn from it?
Source
Note: All five are ~100–200 words each and required; MIT uses its own portal.
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