MIT's Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029
Arkesh P.
Chief Operating Officer
Summary
MIT has completed its admissions cycle for the Class of 2029, reaffirming its position as one of the most selective universities in the world. Out of 29,282 applicants, MIT admitted 1,324 students, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of 4.52%.
Here's a detailed breakdown and insights to help prospective applicants better understand this year's numbers and the evolving admissions landscape.
Class of 2029 Overview
| Admission Round | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action (EA) | 12,053 | 721 | 5.98% |
| Regular Action (RA) | 17,229 | 603 | 3.50% |
| Overall | 29,282 | 1,324 | 4.52% |
Key Trends and Insights
- The Regular Action acceptance rate declined significantly from 3.92% to 3.50%, reflecting increased competition despite a nearly 10% rise in applications.
- The Early Action acceptance rate rose notably, from 5.26% to 5.98%, marking the highest EA acceptance rate since the Class of 2024. This increase occurred despite a slight drop in EA applications, suggesting favorable conditions for highly qualified early applicants.
Broader Admissions Trends:
- Increasing Overall Selectivity: Over the past decade, MIT's acceptance rate dramatically dropped from around 8–9% (Classes of 2016–2020) to consistently below 5% (Classes of 2025–2029).
- Pandemic-Era Spike in Applications: Applications surged more than 65% during the pandemic years, peaking with the Class of 2025 (33,240 applications), influenced by test-optional policies. While numbers have since stabilized, they remain elevated.
- EA Advantage: Early Action acceptance rates consistently exceed Regular Action rates, typically by 1–2 percentage points, due to the highly qualified, self-selecting EA applicant pool.
- Fluctuations Influenced by External Factors: Acceptance rates and application totals can vary due to external influences such as policy changes, global events (e.g., COVID-19), or targeted recruitment efforts.
MIT's admissions remain fiercely competitive, demanding not only exceptional academic performance but also evidence of meaningful engagement and genuine passion. Applicants should focus on standing out authentically rather than merely fitting into a perceived mold.
MIT's Regular Action Acceptance Results
Regular Action Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | 17,229 | 15,669 | +9.96% |
| Applications Accepted | 603 | 614 | -1.79% |
| RA Acceptance Rate | 3.50% | 3.92% | -10.7% |
The RA acceptance rate continues to be exceptionally competitive, dropping from last year's 3.92% to 3.50%.
Despite nearly a 10% increase in the number of applications, the total number of admitted students slightly decreased, underscoring MIT’s increasing selectivity.
The growing applicant pool reflects heightened interest in MIT’s programs, yet admissions continue to tighten, maintaining the institution’s rigorous standards.
MIT's Early Action Acceptance Results
Early Action Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | 12,053 | 12,563 | -4.06% |
| Applications Accepted | 721 | 661 | +9.08% |
| EA Acceptance Rate | 5.98% | 5.26% | +13.69% |
MIT's EA acceptance rate is 5.98% this year, a slight increase from last year's 5.26%.
This year, the number of applicants decreased slightly from 12,563 to 12,053, while the admitted cohort size increased from 661 to 721, resulting in this increase in acceptance rate.
The EA acceptance rate this year is the highest in the past 5 years, since class of 2024's EA acceptance rate of 7.39%.
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early Action applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows MIT your strong interest in joining their academic community.
Historical Trends
The table below gives prospective applicants a 10-year snapshot of MIT's admissions trends.
Historical Acceptance Rates at MIT
| Class of | Total Applications | Total Accepted | Total Acceptance Rate | RA Acceptance Rate | EA Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | 29,282 | 1,324 | 4.52% | 3.50% | 5.98% |
| 2028 | 28,232 | 1,275 | 4.52% | 3.92% | 5.26% |
| 2027 | 26,914 | 1,259 | 4.68% | 3.83% | 5.74% |
| 2026 | 33,767 | 1,337 | 3.96% | 3.37% | 4.72% |
| 2025 | 33,240 | 1,340 | 4.03% | 3.41% | 4.78% |
| 2024 | 20,075 | 1,457 | 7.26% | 7.14% | 7.39% |
| 2023 | 21,312 | 1,410 | 6.62% | 6.00% | 7.36% |
| 2022 | 21,706 | 1,464 | 6.74% | 6.58% | 6.95% |
| 2021 | 20,247 | 1,438 | 7.10% | 6.59% | 7.83% |
| 2020 | 19,020 | 1,485 | 7.81% | 7.37% | 8.45% |
| 2019 | 18,306 | 1,467 | 8.01% | 7.14% | 9.59% |
- Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades and a high GPA.
- Strong Essays: Use your essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
- Leadership and Extracurriculars: Demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
- Test Scores: If submitting, aim for high SAT or ACT scores within or above MIT's reported range.
Final Thoughts
If you're a prospective student thinking about MIT be sure to check out our full guide on how to get into MIT!
Otherwise, congratulations to all students admitted to MIT’s Class of 2029 — your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence. For those considering applying to MIT in the future, the admissions landscape is increasingly competitive, making strategic preparation essential. Crimson Education specializes in helping ambitious students navigate this challenging process, offering tailored guidance to build compelling applications that reflect their authentic strengths and passions.
If you're a student or parent interested in MIT or other top universities, speak with one of Crimson Education’s admissions advisors today and start charting your path to success.
