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Overview
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Overview
ESD is seeking master's students who want to work
on large, complex, socio-technical problems that cross discipline
boundaries.
The ESD SM includes a research-based thesis and satisfaction
of degree
requirements. Students in one of the two optional tracks have
more specified requirements (Human-Systems
Engineering, Health
Care Systems).
ESD SM applications are reviewed once a year and
are due on December 15th. Offers of admission are for the following
Fall semester. All applications are reviewed at the same time.
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Frequently
Asked Questions
APPLICANT'S BACKGROUND
COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
GETTING TO KNOW US
PROGRAM DETAILS
More Questions?
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APPLICANT'S BACKGROUND
Who
should apply for the Master of Science Degree in Engineering Systems?
The ESD SM is a path for promising students, who do not have an academic interest
in policy, to obtain a master’s level education in engineering systems
(students with an interest in policy see TPP). Often these students are
prospective PhD students whose research interests are not a match for
one of ESD’s focused Master’s Programs and who are interested in
acquiring research experience to strengthen their application to the
PhD Program.
The ESD SM also typically serves students in one of four categories:
- it is the engineering SM for many Leaders
for Global Operations (LGO) students
- it can serve as a dual
degree for current MIT graduate students wishing to broaden
their research into the examination of an engineering systems
problem
- and it can serve as the home for students interested in the
Human-Systems
Engineering Track
- or Health
Care Systems Track.
Current MIT graduate students seeking a dual degree
should refer
here for information on the process, and LGO applicants should
first familiarize themselves with LGO's
application process before continuing their reading here.
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What
type of undergraduate degree should I have?
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in a technical
field, usually an engineering or science discipline.
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Must
I have prior work experience?
No. However, prior work experience is a distinct plus and most
ESD students have worked for a year or more. ESD values work experience
because it helps students define the research that is most important
for them and get the most out of their experience with us.
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COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
How
do I apply to the ESD Master’s degree?
Apply
online.
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How
do I indicate interest in a track?
You should discuss your interest
in a particular track within the Statement of Objectives.
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What
is the application deadline?
Applications are due by December 15th. When December 15th
falls on a weekend, application materials will
be accepted the following Monday.
There is only one round of applications for the
ESD SM, and all applications are reviewed at the same time.
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What
materials should I submit with my application?
- The complete
Application includes:
- A Statement of Objectives that indicates the area
of interest in engineering systems and general career objectives.
- Transcripts from all the universities, colleges, institutes
of higher-learning, etc., you have attended
- Three evaluations. Your evaluators should be able to testify in useful
detail about your professional and research capabilities. One
of these evaluations must be from a professor, two evaluations
must be academic, and the final reference may come from employers
or other professional or research contacts.
- GRE general examination scores.
- IELTS scores, for non-native speakers of
English.
- A curriculum
vitae or resume
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Where
should I submit supplemental application documents?
Mail hard-copy application documents, and all supplemental documents
with sensitive information, such as transcripts,
to:
ESD-SM,
77 Massachusetts Ave., E40-249
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
U.S.A.
Unfortunately, admissions questions sent via e-mail
cannot be accepted. Please ask your question during admissions
office hours.
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How
do I apply if I am already a student at MIT?
MIT
undergraduates applying for the ESD SM should apply using the
procedure outlined above. Current students only are eligible
for an application fee waiver, which they can request from ESD's
Academic Office during admissions office
hours. While all applications to the ESD SM are reviewed by
the Admissions Committee, the Admissions
Committee expects successful applicants to the ESD SM will have
an MIT GPA of 4.5 or higher.
MIT master's students seeking a dual degree
should refer
here.
MIT master's students seeking a second degree
(i.e. planning on writing a separate ESD SM thesis, etc.), should
apply using the procedure outlined above. Current students only
are eligible for an application fee waiver, which they can request
from ESD's Academic Office during admissions
office hours. Additionally, current graduate students do not
have to submit GRE scores, but it should be noted that standardized
test scores submitted to MIT in the past may be
uploaded into our system, and be available to the Admissions Committee.
While all applications to the ESD SM are reviewed by the Admissions Committee, the Admissions Committee expects
successful applicants to the ESD SM will have an MIT GPA of 4.5
or higher.
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What
are the required GRE scores? Is there a reporting code?
While all applications to the ESD SM are reviewed by the Admissions Committee, the Admissions Committee expects
successful applicants to the ESD SM will meet or surpass the following minimum Graduate Record
Examinations (GRE) percentile scores (comparing a test-taker to the pool of all test-takers):
- 75% on the Verbal section (45% for non-native speakers)
- 75% on the Quantitative section
- and 50% on the Analytical Writing section.
Use the MIT reporting code: 3514 and the department code: 1612.
All applicants not already in MIT graduate school are required to take the GRE general test. Subject tests are not
required.
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IMPORTANT NOTES:
- During the Educational Testing Service's (ETS) transition to a new score scale, we are providing our minimum percentile scores. Minimum scores on the new absolute scale are not yet available.
- We recommend that even expert writers review the expectations for the GRE's Analytic Writing section. The criteria the ETS applies to scoring these essays may not always match the standard writing conventions used within some technical disciplines or at some institutions.
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How
do I demonstrate that my English proficiency is at or above the
required level?
All applicants who are non-native English speakers must demonstrate
that their English proficiency is sufficient to participate in
the regular activities of an ESD student. Standardized tests for
English proficiency will automatically be waived for applicants
who electronically
submit a supplemental statement affirming that they have completed
their entire secondary education (high school), or four consecutive
years of post-secondary education, at a school where the language
of instruction is exclusively English. Otherwise, applicants must
submit a recent academic format International
English Language Testing System (IELTS) score.
If your score is more than two years old then the Admissions Committee
requires new exam scores in order to assess your current
capabilities. Also note that exam scores "expire," i.e. the testing
service will not report scores taken before a certain date. Check
the testing service's web site to find out when your scores expire.
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What
is the required IELTS score?
The minimum score on the International
English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic format is
7.5.
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Should
I report my unofficial test scores?
To speed up your application process, we urge all candidates to
self-report test scores within their applications.
This will allow the ESD Admissions Committee to process applications
more quickly. Candidates must arrange with the testing institution
to have official test scores forwarded to ESD and these will be
checked against the self-reported scores. Applications with blatant
discrepancies will be automatically rejected.
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I
am concerned that my scores might be lower than they should be.
What should I do?
If you have reviewed the statements above on minimum scores, and
are worried your scores may be too low, the best advice we can
give any applicant is to practice and retake the exam.
Here is our philosophy: A characteristic of ESD
students is their ability to plan for and manage challenges. Hence,
successful applicants tend to allot sufficient time to preparing
for the exams, documenting any relevant disabilities with the
testing institution and planning accommodations, taking the exams,
and having their scores reported. Admissions are competitive,
and publishing minimums and general advice is the fairest thing
we can do for all of our applicants. Remember, the Admissions
Committee also reviews transcripts, congruence of applicant interests
with faculty capabilities and interests, evaluations
from faculty and professionals who can validate the candidate's
capabilities, and maturity in approaching the subject.
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How
will I be notified that my application is complete?
You will be notified via e-mail of the status of your application
at different stages of the admissions process.
If you have not heard from us in a while, it is
permissible to check in once a week during admissions
office hours until your application is designated "complete."
Once your application is complete, then in all likelihood the
next contact you will have with us is your admissions decision.
Given our lean admissions staffing, fielding too many requests
for status updates interferes with checking-in materials, sending
out notifications, and processing applications. We appreciate
your patience.
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When
will I be notified of your admissions decision?
Applicants will be notified by March 31st.
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GETTING TO KONW US
Where
can I read more about ESD?
The ESD web site has materials
to get you started. In particular, the ESD
Strategic Report is a good orientation. Don't miss the research,
the library of resources,
news & events,
or faculty
bios either!
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How
can I arrange a visit?
Prospective students may visit MIT at any time. Visits are self-arranged
but the MIT
Information Center provides tours of the campus. For current
ESD events, some of which are open to the public, check News
& Events. For a closer look at ESD, we encourage local prospective
students to attend the ESD Open House, an opportunity for local
prospective students to learn about ESD programs from faculty,
current students, and staff. The Open House normally occurs in
November. Check News
& Events for details as they are available. In case you'll have to miss the Open House, check
News & Events for information on the
Virtual Grad School Fair.
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Is it a good
idea to get in touch with ESD faculty members to personally tell them about my
application?
No. If you have never met the faculty member you are seeking to contact, it is not a
good idea to try to get in touch. ESD's admissions process routinely admits external
applicants who do not have prior MIT experience or contacts.
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PROGRAM DETAILS
Does
ESD offer financial assistance?
ESD assists its current and admitted students in obtaining financial
assistance, but ultimately, the graduate student is responsible
for finding and maintaining the financial support they need to
sustain their MIT education. Most ESD graduate students are able
to support their MIT education by working as
graduate assistants throughout MIT. These jobs pay for tuition
and a living stipend.
Students are encouraged to secure funding from external
sources. The deadlines for many fellowships are much earlier than
the typical deadline for university applications. The Office
of the Dean for Graduate Education (ODGE) maintains an extensive
list of fellowships and grants. Student
Financial Services is another resource for answering financial
questions.
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Does
ESD offer dual SM degrees?
Yes! Before applying for a dual degree, you must first be admitted
to a master's program at MIT. Current MIT master's students seeking
a dual degree should refer
here.
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Can
I pursue an ESD SM and PhD simultaneously?
Yes. Entering doctoral students who do not already have a master’s
degree will, in fact, typically be encouraged to obtain one of
the ESD master’s degrees along the way, as good preparation for
the culminating doctoral research.
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Is
there a distance learning component to the ESD SM?
No. ESD SM students must be full-time students. MIT SM students
are required
to be local for one Fall or Spring term. Generally and practically
speaking, ESD SM students are best served by living locally, although
students are not required to live in on-campus housing.
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MORE QUESTIONS?
What
should I do if I have more questions about the application process?
A careful reading of the FAQs is a great first step! We know that
admissions practices vary across the globe, but the only way to
be admitted to an ESD program is by submitting a thoughtful and
carefully constructed application. This means that the majority
of successful applications can be submitted using only the instructions
available here or embedded in the application itself. If your
question is not covered here, please get in touch during admissions
office hours.
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When
are admissions office hours? How should I get in touch?
Admissions office hours are 2PM
to 3PM, Monday – Friday (October 15 – December 15). Applicants and prospective students with
substantial time zone or work schedule mismatches may set up an
alternate appointment by Skype, instant message, or phone.
phone: [+1] 617-253-1182
Skype: mit.esd.academic.office
AIM: MITesdAcOffc
Google Talk: esdgrad@mit.edu
Windows Live Messenger: esdgrad@mit.edu
Yahoo! Messenger: MITesdAcOffc
Unfortunately, admissions questions sent via e-mail
cannot be accepted.
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September 2011
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