Frequently Asked Questions
What is your application deadline?
The application filing deadline is December 15, for matriculation in September.
What is the Department looking for in applicants?
The Department looks for research skills and potential, and focuses primarily on your research statement, recommendations, coursework and grades.
Do I need a master's degree before applying?
No, a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) is required.
Do you have rolling admissions?
No, we do not offer rolling admissions.
Do you offer a masters degree?
No, we only offer a Ph.D.
May I use MIT's graduate application?
No. The Math Department has its own online application, accessible here.
Do you offer a distance learning degree or opportunities to pursue a part-time degree program?
No, there is neither a distance learning degree nor are there opportunities to pursue a part-time degree program.
What tests do you require?
Current year GRE general test plus GRE subject test in Math. Non-native English speakers are also required to submit current year IELTS.
What are the GRE/IELTS reporting codes?
MIT's school code for the GRE is 3514. The code for the Department of Mathematics at MIT is 0702 (0700 and 0703 may also be used, as they are reported the same way).
IELTS does not require a code. Just write "Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology". No address is required as scores are reported electronically.
What about testing deadlines?
Applicants are expected to take the GREs by the mid December test date. Scores from test dates after this deadline will not be considered.
Do you have a minimum GRE test score requirement?
There is no minimum GRE test score required, although the faculty is most interested in applicants with the highest quantitative scoring.
Do you have a minimum IELTS test score requirement?
The minimum IELTS score required for applicants to the Ph.D. program in the Department of Mathematics is 6.0.
What about waivers of the IELTS requirement?
MIT's policy is to waive the IELTS requirement for international non-native speakers of English who have received an undergraduate degree from a four-year accredited school within the United States, or a similar four-year program where English is the language of instruction in Great Britain, Canada, or Australia.
What if I haven't taken the GRE's?
GRE scores are the only standard means of comparing the entire applicant pool. Applicants without GRE scores are at somewhat of a disadvantage in the admissions process.
What if GRE scores or other important information becomes available after I've submitted my application? How do I update my file?
Please go to "new information" and, if necessary, add further details in the "comments" section.
When are letters of recommendation and transcripts due?
All letters of recommendation and supporting documents should be received in the Department by the beginning of January. Transcripts and other paper documents should be mailed directly to the Graduate Office, Department of Mathematics:
Graduate Office, Room 2-233
Dept. of Mathematics, MIT
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
USA
Email: gradofc@math.mit.edu
Who do I contact if I have questions about the application process?
Please send email to gradofc@math.mit.edu
Does the program offer financial aid? Are international students eligible?
Yes, financial aid is offered, and international students are eligible. Continuation of financial aid after the first year is dependent on satisfactory academic progress. Students admitted into the program are typically offered financial aid for a period of four nine-month academic years. This funding consists of full tuition for the academic year, twelve-month individual health insurance, plus a stipend/salary. Fellowships in 2007-08 provided a stipend of $2,500/month for the nine-month academic year; Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships in 2009-10 provide a stipend of $2,408/month for the nine-month academic year. Financial aid typically takes the form of a Teaching Assistantship after the first year of study.
What if I have some partial outside funding?
The Department supplements that funding up to the equivalent of fulltime support as indicated above.
What is the average duration of the program?
It takes an average of four-five years to complete the program (even if you have a masters degree) — two years of coursework and approximately two years of research and writing of the dissertation.
When can I expect to be notified about an admission decision?
Initial offers of admission begin in mid February. Final decisions are made by April 15. Information about decisions will not be given over the phone.
I'd like to visit MIT. May I meet with faculty?
If you've already been admitted, we encourage you to visit the school and meet with faculty and students. Prospective applicants are welcome to visit and meet informally with faculty. There are no official interviews.
Is there any way to pursue part-time non-degree study at MIT?
The MIT Mathematics PhD Program administers to our full-time doctoral students. Part-time study is considered "Special Student status" by MIT, and is overseen by the Graduate Students Office. Please see their website for more information.
