melody10511

The title says all. I couldn't find anything related to this on the website, and since I don't really like emailing + to make the information public, I'm gonna ask this here.

And another question, if you don't mind answering: My course in the current school is CS, and the thing is, my school doesn't allow natural science for first year CS students (international uni; we're forced to take two CS courses instead), so I won't be able to take college-level physics by the time I apply (My HS had no AP either). If the application is viewed in a case-by-case basis, where should I mention this in the application?

atari1994

I believe the transfer application is mail-only. The pdf of last year's application is posted on the MIT transfer website here: Transfer Application | MIT Admissions

As the page says, the fall 2013 app will be posted around September.

As for your classes, I'm also in CS. Likewise, my situation is comparable to yours because I'm a rising freshman at a small liberal arts school, and they want me to take all sorts of humanities classes. Here's the best advice I can give you: Don't underestimate the power of negotiation. I haven't even started my freshman year yet, and I'm already signed into a calc-based physics class (offered only to junior physics majors at my school) because I talked with the professor and had to do a bit of weaseling to get around scheduling conflicts. So, talk with your professors, explain the situation, show real passion for your subjects, and see if you can get placed in the chem, calc, bio and physics classes MIT recommends.

melody10511

Haha, I wish I could. But unfortunately, my freshman year has passed and I'm currently on a gap year with leave of absence. Moreover, I did not have the idea of transferring back then, so I literally had no idea that schools required (or recommended) particular courses before transferring. (Again, I'm international applicant)

So how can I mention this on the app? Or should I let someone from the school put it for me? (college official, etc)

atari1994

There's a space on the transfer app where you can write an additional essay to provide extra information about yourself outside of what you write in the required essays. I'm sure you'll be able to explain your school policy and life circumstances.

For inspiration, here's an entry by an international applicant who got admitted, who came from some relatively terrible circumstances:
My "How did I transfer in?" Thread
A truly epic post by a truly epic person.

Good luck! I'm also applying as a transfer--I read this post sometimes when I get discouraged.

melody10511

So is it really paper-based? That's gonna be so inconvenient... Can previous transfer applicants or anyone familiar with the past admissions testify?

elizabeththegrey

It's really been paper-based for the past few years, but they've been working on putting it into the online app on and off, at least as far as some HTML diving reveals (it's disabled, but present in the source). No idea whether they'll have it online this year.

melody10511

Oh, that's pretty hardcore. Thanks for the clarification and I won't raise my hopes so much.

elizabeththegrey

Good luck!