Why Pursue Masters in Massachusetts Institute of Technology?

Collegepond October 30, 2019 0 Comments

Post Views: 8,373

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1861 in response to the increasing industrialization of the United States, MIT adopted a European polytechni university model and stressed laboratory instruction in applied science and engineering. Researchers worked on computers, radar, and inertial guidance during World War II and the Cold War. Post-war defence research contributed to the rapid expansion of the faculty and campus under James Killian. The current 168-acre (68.0 ha) campus, which opened in 1916, extends over 1 mile (1.6 km) along the northern bank of the Charles River basin, with 18 residence halls, 20 gardens and 100 works of art.

Known to be one of the most prestigious Universities of the world, MIT is an academic research organization dedicated to undergraduate, graduate and higher education programs. Approximately 6000 students enrol in degree programs each year. 2000 students enter graduate programs each year, which also includes international students belonging to more than 60 foreign countries. MIT has 11,000 employees, 11,000 students and 1000 faculty members.

MIT is placed among the top ten in many overall rankings of universities and rankings based on students’ revealed preferences. For several years, U.S. News & World Report, the QS World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities have ranked MIT’s School of Engineering first, as did the 1995 National Research Council report. In the same lists, MIT’s strongest manifestation apart from engineering are in computer science, the natural sciences, business, economics, linguistics, mathematics, and, to a lesser extent, political science and philosophy.

MIT, with its five schools and one college, which contain a total of 32 departments, is often cited as among the world’s top universities. The Institute is traditionally known for its research and education in the physical sciences and engineering, and more recently in biology, economics, linguistics, and management as well. Apart from this, the “Engineers” sponsor 31 sports, most teams of which compete in the NCAA Division III’s New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference; the Division I rowing programs compete as part of the EARC and EAWRC.

As of 2015, 85 Nobel laureates, 52 National Medal of Science recipients, 65 Marshall Scholars, 45 Rhodes Scholars, 38 MacArthur Fellows, 34 astronauts, and 2 Fields Medalists have been affiliated with MIT. The school has a strong entrepreneurial culture, and the aggregated revenues of companies founded by MIT alumni would rank as the eleventh-largest economy in the world. MIT is a large, highly residential, research university with a majority of enrolments in graduate and professional programs. The university has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges since 1929. MIT operates on a 4–1–4 academic calendar with the fall semester beginning after Labour Day and ending in mid-December, a 4-week “Independent Activities Period” in the month of January, and the spring semester beginning in early February and ending in late May.

Admission

Each application is evaluated holistically and uniquely. Apart from strong academic achievements MIT looks for creativity, collaborative spirit, initiation, risk-taking abilities, balancing of overall development, curiosity and excitement in an applicant.
MIT has an admit rate of 13%
In the year 2016-2017, 3003 international students enrolled in degree programs at MIT, out of which 2876 (43%) students were studying graduate programs. 51% of these students were Asians.

Graduate Tuition and Living

On an average, the cost for 9 months of tuition fee at MIT is $48,500 (This may vary slightly according to the program you choose).

Financial Aid
Financial aid is provided by various departments in the form of RA, TA or FE. Most are granted on merit while some are considered based on financial need or a combination of both. Scholarships are not easily granted for the 1st semester so one should make prior financial arrangements.

Some of the master’s degree programs that are offered at MIT are as follows: