Application Assistance and Resources
DMSE is looking for applicants who bring a diversity of thought and experience to our student body, including students from groups underrepresented in science and engineering, students with nontraditional academic backgrounds, and students from academic institutions that have not historically sent many students to MIT. We recognize that applicants receive disparate degrees of support during the graduate admission process and encourage graduate applicants with less support to use the DMSE Application Assistance Program (DAAP). Please consider before applying.
What is DAAP?
DAAP is a volunteer-based, student-run program that helps DMSE applicants from underrepresented groups. Applicants are paired with a graduate student who can answer questions about DMSE and MIT, provide feedback on materials to create a stronger application, and guide applicants through the DMSE application process. DAAP mentors are trained by a faculty member on the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Committee on DMSE’s admissions criteria and on providing feedback for application materials.
Note
This support is not a guarantee of admission as the MIT DMSE admissions process is separate from DAAP. Participation in DAAP is not considered by the Graduate Admissions Committee during application evaluation.
How to participate in DAAP
The application to participate in DAAP for the 2024 application cycle opened on September 7, 2023. Here’s how to apply:
- Access the application and fill it out.
- After we receive your application, we will contact you for more information and pair you with a graduate student mentor.
- For questions about DAAP, email us at dmse-daap@mit.edu. For questions about the DMSE graduate program, email dmse-gradoffice@mit.edu.
DAAP will accept requests until Friday, November 3, 2023 in order to provide assistance before the December 1, 2023 DMSE application deadline. We encourage applicants to connect with DAAP early, as we pair mentors and mentees on a rolling basis and cannot guarantee a mentor match late in the application season.
More resources
- Tips and tricks (pdf) from DMSE student for completing the DAAP application
- MIT Office of Graduate Education (OGE) Application Fee Waivers
- MIT Fall preview weekend programs for prospective applicants interested in graduate school. Programs offer exposure to the MIT campus and opportunities to interact with graduate students, staff, and faculty.
- MIT summer research programs
- Summer research program and internship database
- MIT Office of Minority Education resources