What are MIT's required courses?

MIT requires all undergraduates to complete General Institute Requirements (GIRs), including a Science Core (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology), a Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) requirement (8 subjects including Distribution, Concentration, and Electives), and a Communication Requirement (4 CI subjects). Beyond these, students must fulfill specific requirements for their chosen major, detailed in their department's degree chart, like programming or lab work.

What classes are required to get into MIT?

While MIT doesn't require specific high school courses for admission, it does recommend the following courses:

• One year of high school physics.
• One year of high school chemistry.
• One year of high school biology.
• Math, through calculus.
• Two years of a foreign language.
• Four years of English.

Is Harvard harder than MIT?

MIT is generally considered harder in STEM due to intense problem sets and a demanding workload, while Harvard's difficulty stems from broad academic expectations, critical thinking, and significant social/extracurricular pressure, with both being exceptionally rigorous but different in focus, though recent data suggests Harvard is slightly harder to get into due to lower acceptance rates and higher baseline SAT scores for admitted students. 

What is the lowest GPA MIT accepts?

MIT does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement; however, the average GPA of admitted students typically falls between 3.75 and 4.0. While there is no cutoff, a strong academic record is essential, and applicants should aim to demonstrate excellence in their coursework, particularly in challenging subjects.

What's the hardest major at MIT?

Every major at MIT is academically rigorous and will push students to expand their academic horizons so they can graduate with new knowledge and a deepened understanding of their field of study. With that being said, engineering majors are often thought to be amongst the most challenging at MIT.

How to Get Into MIT

What is the #1 easiest major?

There's no single #1 easiest major, as it depends on your strengths, but Psychology, Education, English, and Criminal Justice frequently rank as the easiest due to higher average GPAs and less demanding technical skills compared to STEM fields, often focusing on human behavior, societal structures, and communication. Majors like Sociology, Social Work, and Communications are also commonly cited as easier liberal arts options. 

What is MIT dropout rate?

MIT's dropout rate is extremely low, with a 99% freshman retention rate (meaning 99% return after the first year) and a high graduation rate, around 94-96% within six years, with about 5% of students not completing their degree within eight years, though this can include transfers. The low rate reflects strong student motivation and support systems, despite high academic pressure, with some leaving due to personal issues or better-suited goals elsewhere, notes Quora. 

Is 1470 too low for MIT?

Here's my honest take: a 1470 is a solid score, but MIT's middle 50% typically ranges from 1520-1580.

What GPA is top 1%?

A GPA in the top 1% usually means a near-perfect score, often a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a very high weighted GPA (like 4.5+) if honors/AP classes are included, representing the highest distinction, Summa Cum Laude, for the top 1-5% of a graduating class, though specific thresholds vary by school and year.
 

Can you get a 5.0 GPA at MIT?

MIT's GPA is rounded and calculated without modifiers. An "A" is a 5.0 for GPA purposes, but the highest course grade is an A+, which confers no additional point benefit to the GPA. Seems about 10% of undergrads graduate with a 5.0 GPA .

Is MIT #1 in the world?

Yes, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is consistently ranked as the #1 university in the world by major ranking systems like the QS World University Rankings, holding that top spot for many consecutive years, including the 2025-2026 rankings. While it might be #2 or #3 in some other specific rankings (like U.S. News or THE for overall global rankings), its dominance in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) keeps it at the very top globally across many metrics, especially in QS rankings. 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Why did Bill Gates quit Harvard?

In 1975, the MITS Altair 8800 was released based on the Intel 8080 CPU, and Gates and Allen saw the opportunity to start their own computer software company. Gates dropped out of Harvard that same year. His parents were supportive of him after seeing how much he wanted to start his own company.

Can a 17 year old go to MIT?

MIT doesn't have any age requirements or limits. Each year we receive a small number of applications from young students who have outgrown their high school curriculum and feel ready for college. We have a lot of information on our site about what to do in high school that you'll find helpful.

What high school sends most kids to MIT?

Stuyvesant High School - A highly competitive public high school in New York City, with a strong focus on mathematics, science, and technology.

How to get 100% scholarship for MIT?

To get a 100% scholarship at MIT, focus on extreme financial need, as MIT is need-blind and meets 100% of demonstrated need through grants, not merit, meaning strong academics (top GPA, test scores, AP/IB), compelling essays, and outstanding extracurriculars are vital to get accepted first, after which your family's income (especially below $200k/year for tuition-free) determines the aid, requiring CSS Profile & IDOC for application. 

Who got an 11.84 GPA?

Dylan Mazard, a student from Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida, achieved a record-breaking weighted GPA of 11.84 in 2022, potentially the highest in Florida's history, by taking numerous advanced and college-level courses starting in middle school. His achievement was recognized locally and nationally as he graduated and prepared to attend MIT.
 

What was Einstein's GPA?

Einstein got average marks while in ETH and received his diploma in 1900, is GPA was 4.6 out of 6.0. Einstein eagerly applied to numerous Universities, looking for an assistantship but was denied to all of them.

Has anyone got a 6.0 GPA?

Yes, a 6.0 GPA is possible but extremely rare, occurring only in high schools with specific weighted grading systems where advanced (AP, IB, Honors) classes are assigned more points (e.g., 6 points for an A) than regular classes (4 points), allowing students to surpass a traditional 4.0 or 5.0 scale by taking many challenging courses and getting all A's. While some districts use scales up to 6.0, achieving it requires maximum rigor and perfect grades, making it an exceptional accomplishment.
 

What was Taylor Swift's SAT score?

Taylor Swift's SAT score is not publicly known because she left high school early to pursue her music career and never officially took the SATs for college admission, though she was academically successful in high school, graduating early with a 4.0 GPA before focusing on music. She famously called out a practice test for misquoting her lyrics, highlighting her strong grasp of grammar despite not needing the test.
 

What did Elon Musk score on his SAT?

Elon Musk scored a 1400 on the SAT in the late 1980s, according to biographer Walter Isaacson, a score that would correlate to an IQ in the mid-130s, suggesting above-average intelligence but not necessarily genius-level, though his massive accomplishments spur ongoing debate about his true cognitive abilities. He took the test twice, getting 670 verbal and 730 math on his second attempt, with scores calibrated for that era. 

Did Mark Zuckerberg score 1600 on SAT?

Yes, reports widely state that Mark Zuckerberg scored a perfect 1600 (or sometimes a near-perfect 1590) on his SAT, achieving top marks before attending Harvard University, consistent with his reputation as a gifted student and programmer.
 

Did Elon Musk graduate from MIT?

Musk holds two bachelor's degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Elon Musk earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and was admitted to a graduate program at Stanford University, but he did not graduate.

Why is Gen Z skipping college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to skyrocketing costs, overwhelming student debt, and a perceived poor return on investment (ROI), especially with AI changing jobs and stronger alternatives like skilled trades emerging, leading many to seek faster, cheaper paths to financial stability and job security. They've seen Millennials' debt struggles, witness online success stories, and value hands-on training over traditional degrees, making college less of a guaranteed ticket to success.
 

What is the nickname for MIT students?

MIT students are commonly called Engineers, referring to the school's athletic teams and its focus on technology, while also having internal nicknames like "Tools" (diligent students) or "Hackers", and identifying with the beaver mascot (seen on the "Brass Rat" class ring).