Chemistry

Fall Term (September)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program in Polymers and Soft Matter (PPSM)

• Chemical Biology
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Theory

• Online application
• Personal statement (500-1000 words)
• Statement of objectives (1000-1500 words)
  • Please mention in your Statement of Objectives the names of three specific faculty members with whom you would like to work.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
  • A PDF copy of your college transcript(s) is required and can be uploaded to the application.  Official transcript(s) are only required if you are admitted into our program. Do not send a paper transcript.
• English proficiency exam scores
• Resume/CV
  • Resume/CV may be uploaded as a PDF or Microsoft Word document. It is important that you include your specific research experiences in your resume or CV.

For all applicants:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required nor accepted for admission.

For international applicants:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Minimum score required: 7
• Electronic scores send to: MIT Graduate Admissions
• Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• Minimum score required: 100 (iBT) or 5 (iBT26)
• Institute code: 3514
• Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Department ELP Waiver Policy

The Department of Chemistry does not grant English Language Proficiency test waivers. We are not accepting appeals to this policy at this time. Please plan to provide test scores in order to submit your application.

Review the Graduate Admissions test scores policy here.

Test Score Verification

All test scores shared with MIT must be verified by the testing agency in order to be reviewed. If you do not see your score verification status change upon submission, you may request assistance with test score verification in your application status portal. All test scores are due by the application deadline, but test scores must be verified by the test provider no later than February 1, 2027.

First-year graduate students are usually supported by a combination of departmental fellowships and research assistantships while they complete the academic teaching requirement. Most students receive appointments to research assistantships after their first year, and departmental fellowships are also available. Financial support after the first academic year is subject to the availability of funds and provided for students who maintain a satisfactory record.