MIT FAQ for application year 2014-2015

MIT looks at what you send in. It requires two recommendations, and will consider another if it adds perspective not covered by the first two (perhaps from a coach or an employer). It looks at your application, and if you want to supplement it with a music, art, or maker portfolio, then it will evaluate and look at that. You didn’t list the interview report, but MIT definitely looks at that. The application is designed to give MIT a decent perspective of who you are so that they can meet you and figure out if you are a good match for MIT.

MITES is totally different. Admissions to MIT and to MITES are totally separate. MITES is a highly selective (3-4% acceptance rate) six-week summer program for rising high school seniors held at the MIT. Its purpose is to expose students from minority or otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds to the fields of science and engineering. It is unconnected to MIT as a university excepting that MIT hosts it (and completely supports its philosophy).