When you're applying to MIT, your high school curriculum matters-but not in the way most students think. There’s no official policy that says MIT prefers the International Baccalaureate (IB) over Advanced Placement (AP), or vice versa. What MIT actually looks for isn’t a label on your transcript. It’s depth, rigor, and how you’ve used the resources available to you.
MIT Doesn’t Rank Curricula
MIT’s admissions office has said this clearly: they don’t have a preference between IB and AP. They don’t even have a preference between different school systems. Whether you’re from a school that offers IB, AP, the British A-Levels, the French Baccalauréat, or a completely different system, MIT evaluates you based on what you had access to-and how you pushed yourself within that context.They don’t want to see you take every AP class just because it sounds impressive. They don’t want you to chase IB Higher Level courses if your school doesn’t support them well. What they care about is whether you’ve challenged yourself with the most demanding courses your school offers.
Take a real example: a student in rural Kenya took all the science and math courses their school could offer-three A-Levels in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics-and aced them. Another student in California took 12 APs, including Calculus BC, Physics C, and Computer Science. Both got in. Why? Because each showed mastery in their context.
What MIT Actually Looks For
MIT isn’t interested in how many exams you took. They’re interested in what you did with those exams. Here’s what matters:- Math and science depth - If you’re applying to engineering, physics, or computer science, they expect you to have taken the highest-level math and science courses available. That means calculus, physics, chemistry, and ideally, a lab-based science beyond the basics.
- Performance over quantity - Getting a 7 in IB Higher Level Math is more meaningful than getting a 4 in five APs. MIT admissions officers know how hard each system is. A 5 in AP Physics C: Mechanics carries more weight than a 3 in AP Biology.
- Consistency - If you took five APs in junior year but dropped all science in senior year, that raises a red flag. MIT wants to see you keep pushing through.
- Projects and hands-on work - Did you build a robot? Design a solar-powered water filter? Publish a paper? MIT loves students who don’t just learn theory-they apply it. One admitted student from Brazil built a low-cost diagnostic device for malaria using knowledge from his IB Biology and Physics courses. That stood out more than his 45/45 IB score.
IB vs AP: What’s the Difference in Practice?
Here’s how the two systems usually compare in the context of MIT applications:| Factor | IB (International Baccalaureate) | AP (Advanced Placement) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Full diploma program with core components (CAS, EE, TOK) | Individual courses; no required overall program |
| Science/Math Focus | Strong emphasis on lab work and theory integration | More flexibility; can focus on specific high-level STEM courses |
| Global Recognition | Widely understood by international admissions offices | Very familiar in the U.S., less so elsewhere |
| Depth vs Breadth | Broad curriculum with six subject groups | Can specialize deeply in 4-6 STEM subjects |
| MIT Admissions View | Seen as rigorous; the extended essay and TOK build critical thinking | High scores (4-5) signal mastery in specific areas |
Here’s the catch: IB’s Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE) help develop the kind of analytical thinking MIT values. But if your school doesn’t offer IB, and you take four APs in math and science, plus a research project outside school, MIT will see that as equally strong.
What Students Get Wrong
Many applicants think they need to do both IB and AP. They take AP exams on top of their IB diploma. Or they drop their IB program to chase more APs. That’s rarely the right move.MIT admissions officers have told interviewers: “We’ve seen students burn out trying to do both. We’d rather see a student who excels in one system than one who barely survives two.”
Another myth: “I need a 7 in every IB HL subject.” No. You need excellence in math and science. One student got a 5 in IB History but a 7 in HL Physics and HL Math. She got in. Another got 45/45 in IB but had no physics beyond standard level. He was rejected.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about relevance.
Real Examples from MIT Admissions
In 2024, MIT admitted students from 76 different high school systems. Here are three real cases:- Student A - From a public school in India with no IB or AP. Took the CBSE curriculum and scored 98% in Physics, Chemistry, and Math. Built a wind turbine for a national science fair. Got in.
- Student B - From a U.S. private school. Took 10 APs, including five STEM subjects. Scored 5s in all. Also coded an AI tool for local nonprofits. Got in.
- Student C - From a Canadian school with IB. Took IB HL Math, HL Physics, and HL Chemistry. Scored 7s. Did a 3-month research internship at a university lab. Got in.
Notice the pattern? No one had the same path. But all three had deep, demonstrable skills in math and science, and they did something with them.
What Should You Do?
If your school offers IB:- Focus on HL Math, HL Physics, and HL Chemistry.
- Use your Extended Essay to explore a STEM topic you’re passionate about.
- Don’t stress about getting a 45. Aim for 40+ with strong HL scores.
If your school offers AP:
- Take at least four APs in math and science: Calculus BC, Physics C, Chemistry, and one more (Biology, Computer Science, or Statistics).
- Get 5s. A 4 in AP Physics C won’t impress MIT the way a 5 will.
- Pair it with independent projects. MIT wants doers.
If your school offers neither:
- Take the highest-level math and science courses available.
- Find online labs, university summer programs, or local research opportunities.
- Document your work. A YouTube video of your engineering project? A GitHub repo? A blog explaining your science fair results? That’s your proof.
Final Thought: It’s Not About the System. It’s About You.
MIT doesn’t care whether you’re in IB or AP. They care whether you’re curious. Whether you ask why things work. Whether you build, test, break, and rebuild.One of the most successful MIT applicants in 2023 came from a school in rural Nepal that didn’t offer either IB or AP. He took his school’s national curriculum, studied physics from second-hand textbooks, and built a working solar-powered irrigation system using scrap parts. He sent them a video. They admitted him.
Your curriculum is just the starting point. What you do with it? That’s the story MIT reads.
Does MIT require IB or AP for admission?
No, MIT does not require IB or AP. They accept students from all high school systems worldwide. What matters is that you’ve taken the most challenging math and science courses available at your school and excelled in them.
Is a 45/45 IB score necessary to get into MIT?
No. While a perfect IB score is impressive, MIT admits students with scores as low as 38-40 if they have strong HL scores in math and science, along with standout projects or research. Quality matters more than perfection.
Can I take AP exams if I’m in the IB program?
Yes, you can. But it’s not necessary. MIT values depth over quantity. If you’re already taking HL Math and HL Physics in IB, taking extra APs won’t boost your chances significantly-unless you’re using them to fill a gap in your curriculum.
Do AP scores matter more than IB scores?
No. MIT evaluates both systems equally. A 5 in AP Physics C is considered equivalent to a 7 in IB HL Physics. What matters is the subject and the score-not the program name.
I’m from a country without IB or AP. Can I still get into MIT?
Absolutely. MIT regularly admits students from systems like CBSE (India), A-Levels (UK), Baccalauréat (France), and others. Focus on excelling in your national curriculum and supplement it with independent projects, online courses, or research. MIT looks for initiative, not just curriculum labels.
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