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First-year applicants: Interview

About the interview

At MIT we don’t just want to see how you look on paper; we’re interested in the whole person. That’s why, whenever possible, we offer an interview with a member of the MIT Educational Council, a network of over 3,500 MIT graduates around the world who volunteer to meet with applicants in their home area.

Interviews are held in person whenever possible, however you may coordinate a virtual interview if agreed upon with your EC.

How

After you submit your application, you may be contacted by an Educational Counselor (EC) if there’s one available. ECs typically use the email address you provided on your application to contact you, so please monitor your inbox and respond promptly. Most Early Action interviews will take place in November and most Regular Action interviews will take place in January. If we are unable to offer you an interview, it will be waived and your application will not be adversely affected.

What to expect

Typically, interviews last an hour, though they can range from 30 minutes to two hours long.

Before you meet with your EC, try to anticipate some of the questions you might be asked. Talk with friends and family about their interview experiences, or read our blog entries about interviews. Think through stories or examples that will give your interviewer a vivid sense of your passions and aspirations.

MIT interviews are not usually formal affairs. You do not have to dress up for your interview.

Finally, as is true for all parts of our application process, just be yourself!

For more information, contact [email protected].