Transfer Admissions: Fall 2007

[samcold0]

<p>I’m attending CMU next year, but MIT is still my dream school so naturally I’m going to try to transfer. I just have some questions about the tranfer admissions process:</p>

<p>First of all, is there any real chance of transfering into MIT? I’ve looked at the stats and they seem really bleak. To the lucky 16 transfer applicants who were accepted this year: what do you think got you in?</p>

<p>Are there any specific courses that I am going to have to take next year at CMU in order to transfer? </p>

<p>Is there any way to get an on-campus interview?</p>

[molliebatmit]

<p>MIT likes to see that you’ve completed coursework equivalent to an MIT freshman’s coursework, mostly the GIRs. So you’ll want to make sure you take single-variable and multivariable calc, physics mechanics and E&M, chemistry, and biology.</p>

[samcold0]

<p>I’m definately taking both biology and chem. Butwhat if I have AP creditt for calc and physics?</p>

<p>I’m planning on majoring in physics and math so I’m definately taking both subject. Would it be wise for me to take the equivalent of 8.03 and 18.03 this coming semester and the equivalent of 8.04 and 18.04 next semester?</p>

[mootmom]

<p>You need to have completed a year of calculus, a year of physics, and a course in chemistry and biology. From the Transfer Student section of the MIT Admissions website:

Are there specific courses I should take before I can apply to transfer?
Yes. We recommend that prospective transfer students take a variety of mathematics and science courses before applying. We like to see you taking full advantage of your institution’s offerings in these areas. This includes one year each of college-level calculus and calculus-based physics, and one semester each of biology and chemistry. If you received advanced placement from high school courses, then you should enroll in the appropriate level for each of the disciplines mentioned above.

and

I have placed out of several of the recommended courses due to Advanced Placement credit. Do I still need to take these courses even though my current college did not require me to do so?
Yes. MIT prefers that students take these subjects (calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology) at the college level. Remember that you can always place higher within each discipline depending on your abilities. If you are admitted, you will be granted credit for high scores on AP tests.

So as long as you’re taking a year of college-level calculus and calc-based physics, even if it’s beyond what’s taught in the GIRs, it appears that’s OK.</p>