Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

Apply here

77 Massachusetts Avenue
Building 54-912
Cambridge MA, 02139

617-253-3381
eaps-admissions@mit.edu

Website:
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

Application Opens:
September 1

Deadline:
December 1 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Fee:
$90.00

NSF GRFP Field of Study:
Geosciences;
Physics & Astronomy

STEM Designation:
STEM Eligible

Fall Term (September)

Master of Science in Earth and Planetary Sciences (SM)

Master of Science in Atmospheric Science (SM)

Master of Science in Climate Physics and Chemistry (SM)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Doctor of Science (ScD)

Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (WHOI)

Atmospheric Science
Climate Science
Geobiology
Geochemistry
Geology
Geophysics
Planetary Sciences

Required:

Online application
Statement of objectives
Three letters of recommendation
Transcripts
English proficiency exam scores – international applicants only
GRE scores

For all applicants:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – required

General test required
- Physics subject test is optional
Institute code: 3514
Current scores only; scores must be less than 5 years old

Note: There is no minimum score requirement for the GRE; scores are reviewed as a part of a holistic evaluation process.

For international applicants:

All international applicants are required to submit valid English Language Proficiency test scores unless an applicant meets the eligibility requirements for an automatic exemption from the ELP Test Score requirement. Please see the accepted score types for applicants to the EAPS program and instructions on how to send your scores to MIT below.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Minimum score required: 7
Electronic scores send to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Graduate
Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

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

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Minimum score required: 135
Electronic scores send to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Graduate Admissions
Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Department ELP Waiver Policy

ELP Waiver Eligibility:

EAPS requires demonstrated English Language Proficiency from all applicants, but may consider requests for ELP test waivers for applicants who meet the following criterion:

has completed (or will complete) four or more years of study at an accredited institution where English is the primary language of instruction, and the applicant has earned at least one degree (undergraduate or graduate) in which English is the primary language of instruction.

ELP Waiver Instructions

ELP waivers can only be requested directly in the application on the Test Scores Instructions page. Do not request an ELP waiver via email; emailed requests may not receive a response.

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.

Test scores must be verified on or before December 15, 2026.

Transcripts:

An original copy of your transcript from each college or university, translated into English, should be uploaded as an attachment in PDF format to your application. No other attachments will be accepted. Hard copies sent via post by an applicant will not be accepted. Only those applicants who are accepted for admission will be required to submit a hard copy of their transcripts. Any discrepancy between the scanned transcripts and official transcripts may result in a rejection or withdrawal of our admission offer.

GRE Fee reduction programs:

Educational Testing Service (ETS) offers a fee reduction program for applicants with limited financial means that reduces the cost of taking the GRE to $100. There is also support available for GRE fees from programs such as Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), among others.

Additional GRE fee support through EAPS

EAPS has limited funding to cover $100 of the GRE fee for students who qualify for the ETS fee reduction. This funding is also available to cover GRE fees for any other applicant for graduate study in EAPS who qualifies for an MIT Office of Graduate Education application fee waiver, including participants in the MIT Summer Research Program. GRE fee support is typically provided on a first-come, first-served basis while funds are available. It is crucial to apply well in advance of the application deadline to allow for processing time.

To apply for EAPS support for GRE fees, upload the following in the EAPS application portal:

a pdf of the email you received from ETS confirming your test fee reduction or
the confirmation you received from MIT OGE confirming your application fee waiver
a copy of the receipt for your GRE test fee

Key information about EAPS GRE fee assistance:

International applicants: Please contact eaps-admissions@mit.edu through the EAPS application portal with any questions related to GRE fee waiver documentation.
MIT-WHOI Joint Program applicants: GRE fee support is not available to applicants to the MIT-WHOI Joint Program; the Joint Program does not require the GRE.

Applicants approved for GRE fee support from EAPS will be reimbursed only after they submit their EAPS application.

All students admitted to our doctoral programs are provided with full funding that includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. This may be in the form of a fellowship or research assistantship. At some time in your graduate career, you will be asked to serve as a teaching assistant so that you gain that experience. Research assistantships are the primary support for students beyond the first year.

Funding may vary by program, and newly admitted students are encouraged to apply to outside government and private agencies for fellowship support. Please see the EAPS website for more information.

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Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences