The Program in Media Arts and Sciences (MAS) uses an online application.
11:59pm ET on December 1 is the firm deadline for all applications. (Please note that this is a firm deadline and cannot be extended. A recent post by the Media Lab noting a December 8 deadline was in reference to a faculty search.)
All MAS graduate students are currently fully supported (tuition, medical insurance, plus a stipend).
No, MAS does not require or use GRE scores.
Applicants who are not members of an underrepresented group, but are studying or employed in the US, can participate in the Students Offering Support (SOS) Program. However, keep in mind that the SOS Program is intended to assist underrepresented applicants (namely African American, Latino, Native American, and women) to the Program in Media Arts and Sciences. Applicants studying or employed outside of the US are not eligible to participate.
It's required that you list the three research groups/faculty members you are applying to at the top of your statement. The format of your statement is ultimately up to you. However, we recommend that you address your statement to the groups to which you are applying and explain why you are interested in joining them specifically as well as the Program in Media Arts and Sciences and the MIT Media Lab.
We don't have a strict limit for the statement but recommend that you keep it to two pages or less if possible.
Yes they can if necessary. However, applications will be reviewed beginning the week of Dec 1st, so it would be best for your recommendation letters to arrive as soon as possible to be sure your complete application is reviewed.
Yes your official scores can be received later if necessary. Make sure you send your scores electronically to MIT Graduate Admissions and your test results will be routed directly to your application as soon as they arrive. Please note that you will still need to self-report your exam scores in order to be able to submit your application.
Yes, our application fee is $75. Unfortunately the MAS program doesn't offer any direct application fee waivers. You can request a fee waiver through the Graduate Admissions site here.
See the admissions timeline. Admission letters are emailed out in late February. No information is given out by telephone.
Interviews are by invitation only and conducted during the admissions review process.
MAS graduate applications are limited to our research groups. Please go directly to the Initiative pages to learn more about how best to engage with them.
Yes, but this requires a full application and application fee to each department or program.
No. There are many factors beyond academic qualifications that are considered during the admissions process; thus, we cannot give applicants feedback on likelihood of acceptance.
The MAS master of science degree requires a residency of two academic years. Students take five academic course subjects over two years, in addition to research work.
All MAS students begin at the master's level and have the option to apply to the doctoral program in their second year. Unfortunately we do not admit any new students directly to the doctoral program.
MAS does not have a core curriculum and coursework requirements depend on your research group. More information on degrees and course requirements can be found here. MIT's most current course catalogue is available online.
Undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors can apply to intern in the Lab through the MIT Summer Research Program (mit.edu/msrp).
MIT undergraduates can participate in Media Lab research through MIT’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
The Media Lab does not offer tours. If you wish to visit, you should contact specific faculty members to make arrangements to meet with them and their graduate students. Research and contact information is available on our website.
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Email us your question at mas@media.mit.edu.