Applying to the Graduate Program
Students may enter the CMS program with undergraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines, including liberal arts and sciences, computer science, journalism, economics, and management. We actively seek students from different backgrounds and with different career objectives. Many of our students already have professional experience in media-related fields and return to an academic setting to 'retool' so they may understand better the complexities of contemporary media culture.
CMS is especially interested in students who combine technical skills with an interest in the humanities. The program offers a terminal Master's degree, but a number of our graduates go on to complete PhDs in social sciences, film, media, communications, or cultural studies.
Applications become available in September for prospective admission in the following year. Email cms-admissions@mit.edu for further information.
The deadline for graduate program applications is January 15.
The Application
Applicants are expected to use the online application.
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General Instructions: http://www.applyweb.com/apply/mitg/menu.html
- CMS Online Application: http://www.applyweb.com/apply/mitg/cmsinst.html
The Application Checklist
MIT provides a helpful preliminary checklist for applicants here: http://www.applyweb.com/apply/mitg/checklist.html. CMS also requires some additional materials, which are detailed below.
Application Requirements
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Application for Graduate Admission: Applicants are required to complete the Record of Courses Taken in Preparation for Graduate Study form. Please list all courses you feel are relevant to future study in Comparative Media Studies. You do not need to fill in the textbooks column. All other sections of the application are required, including the Statement of Objectives, Financial Statement, MIT Biographical Data form, and International Student Data Form, if appropriate. We recommend a range of 750-1000 words for the Statement of Objectives.
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Academic Transcripts: Transcripts must be received in unopened, official envelopes. Please have your previous schools send transcripts directly to:
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Three letters of recommendation: At least two must be academic recommendations; online submission preferred.
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GRE scores: The MIT code is 3514, the departmental code is 4505 (listed as "Radio, TV, and Film"). To register or send scores, visit the Educational Testing Service's website at www.ets.org/gre. Scores must be sent directly by the ETS. Register early to maximize your chances of scheduling your preferred test date and time. Applicants who are tested after December 31 will not be considered for admission.
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Writing sample: This must be an academic research paper or one chapter of a longer project. Non-academic papers, such as journalistic pieces, do not qualify as writing samples, but may be included in a portfolio. If the context is not clear, please provide a brief description. If the work represents a collaboration, please explain. Writing samples should be uploaded in the electronic application.
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Portfolio: Portfolios are optional. Please e-mail portfolio materials to cms-admissions@mit.edu. If your portfolio is on a website, please send us a brief document linking to the website so that we can append it to your application.
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$75.00 processing fee.
Comparative Media Studies
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room E15-331
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Additional Requirements for International Students
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IELTS: Minimum score 7. To register for a test, visit ielts.org. Applicants who are tested after December 31 will not be considered for admission.
Note: CMS does not accept the TOEFL exam. - An English Evaluation Test (EET) during the week before classes begin in the Fall semester. Please plan accordingly. More information is available at http://web.mit.edu/fll/www/languages/ESLOptions.shtml#EET.
Funding
In the past, we have been able to offer most of our incoming graduate students Research Assistantships or Fellowships to cover tuition and fees and provide a modest stipend. While we cannot guarantee financial support, our goal is to continue to provide funding to those incoming graduate students who seek it. To be considered for funding, please fill out the Financial Information Form in the application and indicate which of our ongoing Research Projects you would be most interested in working with. More information about our research projects can be found here: http://cms.mit.edu/research/projects.php.
Information on tuition rates and external funding can be found at these sites:
Information Sessions
Online and on-campus information sessions are offered from September through early December. These sessions provide a great way to speak with CMS faculty, students/alums, and research managers; to ask any unanswered questions you may have; and to get a better feel for the program. We encourage all prospective students to participate.
On-Campus
- Thursday, September 22, 2011, 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Thursday, November 10, 2011, 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
If you would like to attend an on-campus info session, please RSVP to cms-admissions@mit.edu.
RSVPs for the September 22 session are closed.
Online
- Thursday, October 6, 2011, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM US Eastern Time
- Monday, November 21, 2011, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM US Eastern Time
RSVP not required for online sessions. To participate, simply visit our Info Sessions Event Page during session hours.
Previous Session Transcripts
Transcripts are available from the following previous online sessions:
Admissions Timeline
| September |
Online application becomes available |
| September - November |
Admissions Information Sessions |
| October and November |
Take GRE and IELTS standardized tests |
| January 15 |
Application deadline |
| Mid March |
Admission Offers issued |
| Early April |
Admitted Students visit CMS (optional) |
| April 15 |
Deadline for admitted students to notify CMS of acceptance |
| Last week of August |
Orientation |