Dear Prospective Student-Athlete:

We recognize you as someone who may contribute to our continued success in cross country or track and field. I would like for you to fill out an information profile, which you can find by clicking here. You will need to be ranked in the top 5% of your class and have SAT scores above 600 in each category and hopefully over 700, particularly on the math test. If you take the ACT you will need a composite score of at least 32 with science and math scores at 33 or better. In addition, please keep me informed on your progress, both academically and athletically and I will update your profile. For those who reach a certain level of performance I will support the application with a letter of recommendation to our admissions department. Although, my support most definitely does not guarantee admission, it is likely to get you a thorough look.

We have an excellent year-round combined Men's and Women's program, arguably the most successful of all MIT sports. MIT competes at the NCAA Division III level, which precludes the offering of athletic scholarships. However, the Institute does have an excellent Financial Aid Program to help offset the high cost of an MIT education. ROTC is also housed at MIT for a number of local colleges, boasting full scholarships in all four of the armed forces as well as the National Guard. In addition, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and summer internships, cultivates and supports research partnerships between MIT undergraduates and faculty. One of the earliest programs of its kind in the United States, MIT’s UROP invites undergraduates to participate in research as the junior colleagues of Institute faculty. Diverse leaders in industry and corporations frequently visit MIT to recruit students for summer internships with salaries reaching upwards of $30,000.00.

MIT has an early action admissions period that is non-binding and closes on November 1. The regular action deadline is January 1. You should go to the admissions web page and start a My MIT account. You will also be able to find the necessary requirements for admission. A few things to keep in mind; you must take calculus and the sciences, particularly physics and these should be the most rigorous courses your school has to offer, you should do your best to get a job or internship in your field of interest for the summer in order to demonstrate the passion you have for your area of study, if you do not have the optional interview you will not gain admission.

A frequently asked question about MIT Track and Field/Cross Country is: How am I going to manage both academics and athletics? MIT takes into account when accepting students that each student is qualified for an extra curricular activity, which is the equivalent of an intercollegiate athletic team. You would not be accepted if you could not do well in track and field/cross country and academics. (Frequently ask questions)

Our program is team oriented, and has its base in traditional rivalries and major invitational meets, where for the past quarter century have a winning percentage over .900. Some of the more spectacular meets we compete in include the All-New England’s in each of our seasons, the annual trip to the Pre-National Invitational in cross country and the alumni funded spring break trip we take to the warmer climate of California or Florida in track. We compete primarily against the best colleges and universities in the New England area, but meet several Division I, II and III colleges from around the Northeast as well.

Each season culminates with conference, regional and national championships, where MIT has enjoyed much success. We have won 22 New England Division III Championships, and have finished 2nd or 3rd 35 other times since the meets inception in 1980. The Cross Country team has made numerous appearances at Nationals, placing as high as 3rd, which was just accomplished in 2010. The Indoor and Outdoor teams regularly qualify individuals for the NCAAs, and have produced over 150 All-Americans and 16 National Champions, with teams placing as high as 2nd, and the women and men at the 2010 Outdoor NCAA Championship placing third and fourth respectively. MIT's Academic All-Americas in Track and XC are too numerous to count, gaining team honors every season. In 2007 the MIT Men's Cross Country team had the highest GPA of any NCAA team in the country.

The facilities at MIT are among the best in the country, with both indoor and outdoor track venues. In Cross Country we race at Franklin Park, which has been the site for World and National Championships. Indoors, the Johnson Athletic Center has a renovated six lane, 200 meter, Mondo rubber track including multiple jumping venues. Outdoors, Steinbrenner Track is an 8 lane, 400 meter Mondo track with multiple jumping and throwing venues. Many collegiate championships have been hosted on our facilities, including the 1997 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship.

I hope you have continued interest in MIT and our programs. If you wish to track our progress, or if you want to look into our history or statistics, you can view our web site at: MIT Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me at the office hwtaylor@mit.edu, or (617) 253-4918.

Good luck with your final season(s), and the admissions process.

Sincerely yours,

Halston W. Taylor

Director of Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country