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Cross-Cutting
Admissions
Undergraduate Admission
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Students who wish to study urban planning at MIT at the undergraduate level must first be accepted to MIT. At the end of the first year MIT students decide which course of study they wish to pursue. Undergraduate applicants do not apply directly to the Department.
Additional information and instructions for undergraduate applicants are available in the MIT Admissions website:
Five-Year SB-MCP Option
Undergraduate Course 11 majors may apply for admission to the department's Master in City Planning (MCP) program in their junior year. Students accepted into the five-year program receive both the Bachelor of Science and the MCP at the end of five years. Admission is intended for those undergraduates who have demonstrated exceptional performance in the major and show commitment to the field of city planning. Criteria for admission include the following: + A strong academic record in Course 11 subjects + Letters of reference from departmental faculty + Practical experience in planning, which could be gained through internships, practicums, studios, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program experiences, summer jobs, etc. + A mature and passionate interest for the field that warrants further study.
Students can obtain more information on the five-year program from Ellen Rushman, room 9-413.
Information Sessions for Prospective Graduate Students
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MCP Prospective Students
Events for prospective students will be hosted virtually for Fall 2021.
Information Session - meet with faculty and students from DUSP to learn more about the MCP program
Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/169309991743
October 14 5:00-6:30
November 3 5:00-6:30
Zoom details will be emailed to registered participants the day before the event.
Q&A - meet with DUSP admissions representative to ask questions about the application process, academic program, etc.
Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/169304232517
September 17 10:30-11:30
October 1 10:30-11:30
October 15 10:30-11:30
October 29 10:30-11:30
November 12 10:30-11:30
December 3 10:30-11:30
December 17 10:30-11:30
Zoom details will be emailed to registered participants the day before the event.
PhD Prospective Students
Information Session - meet with faculty and students from DUSP to learn more about the PhD program
Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/phd-open-house-tickets-178092057137
November 3 3:00-4:00
Zoom details will be emailed to registered participants the day before the event.
Graduate Admission
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The DUSP Graduate Application for Fall 2022 admission is available starting September 7th at: https://gradapply.mit.edu/dusp
To get started you must first create a user account and password. This will allow you to start an application and save it multiple times prior to submission. PLEASE record your user name and password- we cannot retrieve them for you.
The following information is critical to your understanding of our admissions process and to the preparation of your application. You should read the descriptions of the Department and its programs before you complete the application.
Application requirements can be completed or submitted online. If admitted, we do require official transcripts be mailed or submitted electronically from the institution.
The application deadline is January 3rd. All applications and supporting materials must be postmarked by this date or where applicable, submitted electronically. The Admissions Committee will not evaluate incomplete or late applications.
Peer Application Support Service
Application support can be provided to eligible students through PASS, a student-run service committed to increasing the ethnic and cultural diversity of each admitted class. See "SCC/QuBE PASS Peer Application Support Service" below for more details.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The GRE is waived for the 2022 admissions cycle.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Required: For applicants whose native language is not English, unless they have a prior degree from an institution where instruction was in English. Preference for official scores reported from the testing agency, however DUSP will review scores up to five years old submitted by applicant.
- MCP & PhD Minimum Score: 600 (paper-based), 100 (internet-based).
- Reporting codes: 3514 (MIT)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also accepted with a minimum score of 7.
For detailed instructions on completing the online application, please review the DUSP Application Instructions.
If you are interested in applying to the PhD in Transportation or the Master of Science in Transportation, follow this link: https://gradapply.mit.edu/transportation/apply/login/
Peer Application Support Service (PASS)
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We as a department are striving to "center racial justice within urban design and planning and to create space for imagining what is required to build inclusive, thriving, and just cities” – Adapted from a statement from CoLab.
In seeking to address the historical underrepresentation of certain groups and identities in the field of planning and urban design, PASS is excited to offer support to students who may face structural barriers in applying, including (but not limited to) international applicants, first generation college students, and applicants who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, queer, disabled, and/or a person of color.
PASS is a student-run mentorship program that connects prospective Masters and PhD students with current students who can provide guidance during the application process. Mentors can advise individual applications, proofread final drafts of essays, and answer questions about the curriculum. The PASS program is active during the months leading up to the application deadline. If you are interested in taking part in PASS:
- Fill out the PASS interest form by November 28, 2021. [The form will become available Monday, October 18, 2021.]
- For questions about PASS, reach out to sccrecruit@gmail.com.
- For specific admissions questions, reach out to duspapply@mit.edu.
A current graduate student volunteer will contact you by November 30th to connect you with a mentor. If you sign up for PASS after the deadline, we will do our best to accommodate you on a rolling basis and as mentors become available. Please keep in mind that graduate students are volunteering their time to PASS and are offering this service to supplement other support you should be getting from your own personal and professional networks. Though PASS is intended to extend support to you in this application process, this is not a guarantee of admission.
Financial Aid
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The Department of Urban Studies and Planning offers financial assistance to Master's students and Doctoral students. All admitted students are considered for departmental financial aid.
Tuition
Tuition and the estimated living expenses for a single graduate student are available via the MIT Registrar's Office. Additional costs should be budgeted for students with families.
Living expenses vary widely depending on such factors as marital status, availability of resources, and interests. The Institute has calculated a Standard Graduate Student cost of attendance that you can review here.
Master in City Planning (MCP)
Applicants to the MCP program who are accepted are offered a minimum financial aid package of 75% tuition and student health insurance. In addition, some Master's students are also offered a research assistantship covering a monthly stipend in exchange for ten hours per week of work for a faculty member.
MCP students may also seek additional financial aid through opportunities such as faculty sponsored research grants and hourly-paid jobs. All students are eligible to apply for departmentally funded hourly jobs and off-campus internships.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Five to seven PhD students are admitted with complete financial aid packages for five years, including summer funding. A typical funding package consists of a first year fellowship followed by four years of department funding. This covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, and student health insurance. In exchange, students serve as research assistants or teaching assistants during each of the semesters for which they receive department funding. Summer funding is available in the form of research assistantships or curriculum development teaching assistantships. Other PhD students are admitted without departmental financial aid. These students must have either an externally funded fellowship, a research assistantship funded by outside sources, or their own financial resources and will be asked to provide official proof of funding upon being admitted. Under current policies, students without MIT financial aid or external funding cannot be admitted to the program.
Once students have completed their general exams by the end of their fourth semester, and have developed a preliminary dissertation proposal, they can qualify for non-resident reduced tuition (5 percent for the first three terms of non-resident status, and 15% for the last three semesters).
Loans
All Master's and PhD students are eligible at any time to apply for loans and nondepartmental funds. Some restrictions may apply to international students. MIT's Student Financial Services (SFS) administers both need-based and non-need-based loans. Loan eligibility for need-based loans is determined by using a standard budget developed by the SFS. Specific loan programs include:
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Federal Direct Stafford Student Loans. This program of need-based loans is the best source of loan funds for MIT graduate students. Click here for the maximum annual amount for this loan and additional information. Interest rates vary.
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MIT Technology Loans. A technology loan may be available to meet need beyond the Stafford loan. Although need-based, all MIT loans for graduate students require a co-maker.
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Alternative Loans. These loans may be available to students not eligible for need-based loans. They may also be available to replace the expected student contribution, calculated by the SFS for need-based loans. The SFS keeps information on many different alternative loan programs.
Internships
Off-campus internships provide MCP candidates with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the planning field, while securing resources to help meet living and other expenses. All students are eligible to participate in off-campus internships, but we encourage students to be realistic about the amount of time they can actually spend working and commuting to work, given the heavy demands of their coursework. The following is information on DUSP's primary internship opportunities: the DUSP Career Development Internship Program.
DUSP Career Development Internships
The DUSP Career Development Internship program is aimed at providing Master's and upper-level Undergraduate students with meaningful professional experience to strengthen and enhance their academic experience. The Career Development Program regularly solicits listings for semester-long internships from an extensive database of area alumni/ae and other employers. Students in the Department have worked at a variety of local organizations, including community development corporations, public agencies, and private consulting firms. Students may also secure positions on their own, using their own contacts and networks. Students receive a stipend from the Department based on an internship commitment of 144 hours (an average of 12 hours per week for 12 weeks). MCP students receive a stipend of $3,500 and Undergraduates are paid on an hourly basis. The Department offers limited financial support to eligible organizations. Students, employers and faculty sponsors sign a three-way agreement describing the work assignment and compensation arrangements. In addition, MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD) provides assistance to all MIT students, including access to resources helpful to internship seekers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I don't have a background in design--can I apply?
Yes. Our students come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, including but not limited to public policy, urban design & planning, architecture, economics, political science and engineering.
What is the deadline for applying to DUSP?
Completed applications and supporting materials must be post marked or submitted electronically by January 3rd for admission the following September.
I submitted an application but would like to know if you have received it, or if anything is missing. How do I check?
Because of the large volume of applications we receive, we can not confirm receipt materials.
Can I submit more than 3 letters of recommendation?
No, we will not review more than three letters of recommendation.
Do I need to submit a portfolio or writing sample?
It is recommended that applicants to the CDD program group submit a portfolio, however; it is not required.
How many applications do you receive each year?
We have approximately 400 applicants to our MCP program each year, and of those we accept 55-60 students. For the PhD program we have approximately 125 applicants and accept 10-12 doctoral candidates.
What are my chances of admission to your program based?
We cannot provide preliminary evaluations of chances for admissions based on any one or two qualifications. The Graduate Admissions Committee carefully reviews the entire application package (statement of intent, recommendation letters, transcripts, etc.) to determine admission decisions.
I applied to DUSP in a previous year, but was not admitted. How do I re-apply?
If you would like to re-apply to the program, you must follow the same steps as a new applicant. We do not keep application materials on file from previous years.
Do I need to take the TOEFL exam? Can the TOEFL exam be waived in certain cases for international students?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of applicants whose native or first language is not English. If you completed an undergraduate or masters degree in the US or at a college or university where the instruction was in English, you are not required to take the TOEFL/IELTS. The Admissions Committees regard English proficiency as crucial for success in all degree programs. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (internet-based) is required by DUSP. We also accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System with a minimum of 7. Permanent residents or US Citizens do not need to take the TOEFL exam.
Do you offer application fee waivers?
Fee waivers are granted through the Office of Graduate Education - please visit their website for additional details and a short application.
When will I know if I have received financial aid?
All financial aid decisions are made at the same time as the admission decisions.
Do I need to request an interview before I apply to DUSP?
We do not conduct interviews as part of the admissions process but we encourage you to attend an Information Session in the fall or reach out to duspapply@mit.edu with questions.
Do you have interpreters to read international applications?
No, it is the applicants responsibility to have an application and all its contents translated to English before it is submitted. If a college or university does not issue transcripts, a certfied letter must be provided. It should list courses, grades, and degrees and date received.
When will I be notified of my admission decision?
Admission decision letters will be sent by early March.
May I defer admissions?
No, we do not defer admissions. You may re-apply the following year by following the same steps as a new applicant.
Do you provide any assistance in preparing an application?
The Students of Color Committee at DUSP have created the "Peer Application Support Service" (SCC PASS) to provide assistance to prospective Masters in City Planning students in the application process. SCC PASS is intended to support student of color applicants through individual application advising, proofreading final drafts of essays, and answering questions about the program. See the sidebar link under "Application Instructions" above or click here.
Can I get two degrees from MIT at the same time? Can I get a degree from Harvard and DUSP at the same time?
Students may pursue dual degrees in virtually any other department at MIT, provided they are accepted for admission and complete degree requirements in each department. Some common dual degrees completed by planning students are with architecture, real estate development, and transportation. Students who have been admitted to study for the Master in City Planning may apply to the other program during their first year of study at MIT and propose a program of joint work in the two fields that will lead to the simultaneous awarding of two degrees. Please be aware that pursuing a dual degree will add at least a year to your studies. MIT students are not eligible to complete a degreee at both Harvard and MIT simultaneously.