Does MIT accept additional letters of recommendation?

Most applicants, and most admitted students, submit no supplemental recommendations. Some applicants and admitted students submit one supplemental recommendation; a few submit two. Submitting more supplemental recommendations will not disqualify you, but it is rarely necessary.

Should I submit an additional letter of recommendation?

“If an applicant would like to submit another letter of recommendation beyond this requirement, we strongly recommend that it is not from another academic teacher. Additional letters are only helpful if the person writing the recommendation knows the candidate well and can provide new, detailed information.”

Should I submit a research supplement to MIT?

In general, you should not send supplemental material unless the application did not sufficiently show who you are.

How do I submit a supplemental letter of recommendation to MIT?

Forms for Supplemental Recommendations are available through your MIT application portal. Applicants should enter their recommender information into the Recommendations section of the application regardless of how the recommender intends to submit their materials.

Is it bad to have too many letters of recommendation?

The wording clearly means that more than three letters is acceptable. In fact, one might conclude that three letters is the bare minimum and a “good” application should have more. I would normally consider five letters to be a lot (though not harmful, as discussed above).

Should I submit a maker portfolio to MIT?

You do not need to submit a portfolio in order to build a strong application to MIT, and most students are best served by completing only the standard MIT application. Others feel compelled to highlight a particular talent or skill that they believe is significant enough to merit a platform of its own.

Does MIT accept portfolios?

Yes, you’re welcome to include a portfolio. Visual artists, makers, performing artists, and researchers may send portfolios for review by MIT staff or faculty through Slideroom.

What happens if my letters of recommendation are late?

If a recommendation letter is missing, you must approach the faculty member and give a gentle nudge. They are late to class, late returning student work, and late in sending recommendation letters. Professors may explain that graduate programs expect faculty letters to be late.