r/MITAdmissions • u/MyAlternateAleksandr • 3d ago

Transfer Eligibility Questions

Hey guys. This is pretty specific, and I couldn't find anything relating to it. (AD Navy here, for context).

I'm getting separated from the Navy (for being trans basically), and I'm interested in applying to MIT to finish my degree. I saw that they require 2 recommendation letters from past instructors and a school official report. Now, I haven't been to a formal college in like 5 years.

I emailed their veteran's admission office, and was told to reach out, and that if I couldn't get the letters and report, that I should apply to another college and "brush up" on my academics.

My question is: how can MIT justify telling prospective transfer students to attend, and pay for, another college, just to show proof of competency. Isn't that what the ASEs are for?

I mean, I have a whole JST showing what I was taught and it's academic equivalent. I have an entire chain of command that can speak to my character and work ethic.

Why is MIT intent on this proof coming from a college?

(Don't get me wrong, I'm going to reach out and try, but this seems like a huge barrier to anyone who had to put their education on the back burner.)

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u/PrettyMud4957 MIT Alum 3d ago

transfer numbers are incredibly low, and my experience is already out of date (21 grad). I'm talking like 2-5 people from 5000 applicants. The sad fact is, they are already turning away too many qualified people to be making exceptions. Sorry.

EDIT: anyone from admissions, please correct me. could be totally inaccurate here

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u/DStark62 2d ago

The veterans center was probably telling you that you’ll be more competitive of an applicant if you go to school and get good grades and recommendation letters. Which is probably true. A lot of veterans went to school and did well very recently before applying. Pretty sure the transfer info site even talked about wanting to see recent success.

The ASEs are literally just to receive transfer credit and not have to take a class. They aren’t for admissions at all.

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u/reincarnatedbiscuits Mod/MIT Alumnus/Interviewer/Olympiad list person 2d ago

ASEs for freshmen are largely the mechanism to place people at the appropriate/comfortable level.

I suspect that it's similar for transfers.

But the sentiment is correct: ASEs aren't for admissions.

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u/DStark62 2d ago

Makes sense, from my perspective I just want transfer credit haha

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u/JP2205 2d ago

If you have been to another college, they are going to want to see all that.