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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
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How important are teacher recommendations at MIT?

Applying to MIT soon, and I'm curious to know how important MIT views teacher recommendations. I'm not sure whether the teachers I ask will write amazing or just average letters for me. How heavily does MIT weigh recommendations, and any tips on choosing the right teachers?

a year ago

Teacher recommendations are an important part of the application process at MIT, as they provide valuable insight into your character, work ethic, and engagement within the classroom. MIT requires two teacher evaluations, preferably from a math/science teacher and a humanities/social sciences teacher who have taught you during your junior or senior year.

Although teacher recommendations are not the sole deciding factor, they can help to paint a vivid picture of your personality and capabilities beyond just your academic achievements. A strong recommendation letter can bolster your application and shed light on your unique qualities.

To choose the right teachers for your recommendations, consider the following:

1. Teacher relationship: Select teachers who know you well and can provide specific examples of your strengths and achievements. These teachers should ideally be able to describe your classroom participation, collaboration skills, and personal growth.

2. Relevant subject areas: Keep in mind that MIT values a well-rounded applicant with proficiency in both STEM and humanities subjects. So, if possible, obtain recommendations from teachers representing diverse areas of study, as mentioned earlier.

3. Positive performance: Choose teachers whose classes you performed well in or demonstrated a strong interest and engagement, as they can attest to your academic abilities and commitment to learning.

You may also politely request your teachers to focus on particular aspects of your academic or extracurricular experiences that you believe will contribute to your application. It's a good idea to provide your recommenders with a resume or a list of your academic and extracurricular achievements to help them craft a well-informed letter.

Remember, while teacher recommendations are important, they are only one piece of a larger puzzle that includes your academic achievements, test scores, extracurriculars, and essays. A well-rounded application will showcase your strengths and make a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

a year ago

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