MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a powerhouse university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the river from Boston and alongside Harvard in both geographic location and caliber. MIT is often cited as the most famous university focused on engineering and science in the country, and is respected globally for being at the top of its game.
The university call 101 Nobel Laureates and 61 National Medal of Science winners Engineers (what they call themselves), and is home to just under 4,600 undergraduates. The 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio puts you up-close with excellence, and the university is known for being collaborative, hands-on, and extremely difficult to get into.
What’s often overlooked by those who don’t have personal experience of MIT, though, is that MIT isn’t just for future tech leaders or civil engineers. It’s artists who are melding innovative science and technology with creative expression to shape the world we live in. Students 136 countries and all 50 states to experience the magic that MIT offers. Once on campus, they pursue 58 majors, and one , which is awarded to students who complete physical education programs in archery, fencing, pistol (air pistol or rifle), and sailing.
The biggest surprise, though, might be the depth and breadth of the MIT athletic program — it turns out, ! 33 varsity sports, more than 30 club sports teams, and more than 25 types of physical education programs.
As we said before, getting into MIT isn’t easy, and being an athlete doesn’t make it all that much easier (well get into this more below). The acceptance rate is under .
If you have MIT on your college list and are looking to play a sport in college, send us an email.
What is MIT looking for in Student Athletes?
It’s fitting that MIT athletes call themselves the “Engineers.” First and foremost, to get into MIT as an athlete an exceptional student. They also expect to see the same diversity and depth of experience in their athlete applicants as they expect to see in those who don’t play a sport — so being committed to your sport isn’t an excuse for not building up the other parts of your resume.
You’ll also need to for NCAA competition, which includes a minimum GPA, confirmation of amateur status, and a certain course distribution. You should also watch about MIT athletics. It doesn’t really tell you anything important, but it is inspiring if MIT is your dream school!
Recruited Athletes
MIT has 33 varsity sports, mostly competing in the NCAA Division III program in the NEWMAC conference. Crew, , is classified as a Division I program, and teams including cross country, fencing, sailing, and water polo regularly compete against Division I opponents. As a whole, the program holds 62 individual national championships and 26 team championships. They also earn at least 70 All-America honors each year, which recognize athletic and academic achievement. Plus, 30 graduates have participated in the Olympics!
If you’re excited about MIT, academically qualified, eligible, and ready for the next step — it’s time to contact a coach. MIT has a list of coaches on their website in a few different places, but is the list that seems to be the most frequently updated. You’ll need to cross-check it, though, before reaching out. This isn’t a sign that they aren’t on top of things, just that so much information is now expected to be online that it’s hard to stay on top of it all.
When you’re ready to reach you, you’ll need to contact coaches like you’re applying for a job. This means including your athletic resume, academic transcript (this is better than just stating your GPA), and possibly a highlight reel uploaded as a private link on YouTube or a recruitment site.
Walk-Ons
MIT has such high academic standards that coaches are limited, to some extent, in how effectively they can attract potential recruits. This increases how much they rely on walk-ons to fill out their team rosters, and it also opens the door for students who aren’t necessarily recruitment caliber in their sport but who are MIT caliber academically and who still want to play. For example, .
As a walk-on, you won’t immediately have the perks that come with recruitment, but you may still be able to ‘earn’ them through strong performance. So, if you think walking on may be your best option, you should still reach out to coaches as if you were hoping to be recruited, starting a conversation that can build to an invitation to join the team as a walk-on.
Intramurals, Recreation, and Club Sports
If you want to play on a team, but aren’t at the caliber of Varsity or don’t want to make that commitment, MIT offers more than 30 that involve more than 2,000 students. These includes club versions of Varsity sports, but also groups focused on martial arts, for example. Some clubs are instructional, and some are competitive — often highly competitive, competing at a national level in the sport. Teams typically require 2-3 practices per week, and the teams are student organized and led, and governed by the student-led Club Sports Council.
Then there are . There are 20 intramural sports, and teams with differing levels of experience expected. The most popular are basketball and soccer. The time commitment for intramurals is minimal, and mostly involves games rather than practices. About 25% of the undergraduate student body competes in an intramural, often alongside staff, faculty, and spouses, building comradery and community.
If you play a sport, it will fulfill your at MIT, but if you don’t play a sport you’ll need to take courses that address the requirement (hence the Pirate Certificate). There are over in over 25 types of physical activity offered, as well as courses in backpacking, snowboarding and skiing, parkour, and SCUBA.
MIT is an athletic sleeper hit. Most high school students, especially athletes, wouldn’t guess that MIT has great teams that win big recognitions. If you’re a top-performing student interested in engineering, science, math, or technology, and who loves your sport, it may be a perfect fit!
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