MIT has increased its admissions process to keep up with the growing number of applicants. During the early-action period, 6,541 students applied to MIT for the Class of 2017, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year. MIT’s early-action program, which is nonrestrictive and nonbinding, attracts a large number of top-tier applicants, though it admits fewer than 10% of them each year, reflecting the Institute’s conservative approach to admissions. This year’s early-action admits represent an unprecedented number—approximately 650 students—highlighting the high demand for MIT’s education. These admitted students are not only highly talented but also diverse, with nearly a third earning academic distinctions. Many applicants come from diverse backgrounds, including 15% who are first-generation college students. The admissions committee faced a challenging selection process, given the exceptional qualifications of all applicants. MIT continues to collaborate with QuestBridge to support students from underrepresented groups.

MIT’s Admissions Office has been working on a project called the Workflow and Assignment Revision Project (WARP), which has transformed the admissions process by making it entirely paperless. This change has allowed for real-time tracking and audit capabilities, as well as increased flexibility in how applicants are reviewed. Yang, the Admissions Director, shared that 48 QuestBridge scholars were admitted this year, emphasizing how impressive their accomplishments are. The organization continues to support students from low-income backgrounds in their pursuit of top universities. Additionally, this year, MIT introduced an optional application question asking students to describe their sexual orientation and gender identity, making it one of a few institutions to include such a question on its application. Director Abigail Francis expressed excitement about this addition, highlighting its positive and affirming message to prospective students.

MIT’s admissions process for the LGBT community has been marked by a moment of reflection and celebration. On December 15, decisions were formally released at noon, allowing prospective students to share their emotions through MIT’s Admissions Office blogs. These blogs served as platforms for admitted, deferred, and denied students to express their excitement or disappointment, reflecting the vibrant community MIT prides itself on. Lauren Avalos, director of recruitment, highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Admissions Office to connect students with the MIT community, emphasizing the significance of this collective achievement. As the admissions process unfolds, MIT continues to champion diversity, inclusion, and nondiscrimination, ensuring that the experiences of all students are celebrated and supported.

MIT News has shared updates about its community and research, aiming to celebrate storytelling and strengthen connections.

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The 2026 cohort of tenured professors in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences has been announced.

Faculty and staff in the MIT School of Engineering and other schools received awards in spring 2026.

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