The MIT FUN Form: What It Is, When It’s Due, and How to Fill It Out

After submitting your MIT application, there’s still one step left in the admissions process: the MIT FUN form. This required update must be completed by all undergraduate applicants by February 5, including students who were deferred or already admitted through Early Action.

Although the MIT FUN form is fairly straightforward, many students overlook how important it can be. The form gives you a chance to submit your fall semester grades, report meaningful new achievements, and show continued momentum during senior year. Keep reading to learn what the MIT FUN form is, when it’s due, and how to fill it out strategically.

• What Is the MIT FUN Form?
• When Is the MIT FUN Form Due?
• How to Fill Out the MIT FUN Form
• Applying to MIT?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is the MIT FUN Form?

The MIT FUN form, short for the February Updates and Notes form, is a required admissions update you’ll complete through the MIT application portal after submitting your application. It’s where you report your fall semester grades and share any meaningful updates that happened after you applied.

All applicants must complete the MIT FUN form, including Regular Decision applicants, students admitted through Early Action, deferred applicants, students who have already graduated, and international applicants. MIT also notes that schools don’t need to send mid-year grades separately since applicants report their grades directly on the FUN form.

What does the MIT FUN form include?

The MIT FUN form has two main sections. The first is an academic update section where you report your current-year classes along with your fall semester or trimester grades. The format is similar to the Self-Reported Coursework Form from your original application, but this time, you only need to include your senior-year courses and grades.

The second section is a free-response text box where you can share meaningful updates since submitting your application. This can include new awards, improved test scores, leadership positions, research progress, competitions, or other accomplishments from senior year. MIT also encourages applicants to keep this section concise and informal, so bullet points and short updates are completely acceptable.

When Is the MIT FUN Form Due?

The MIT FUN form is due on February 5 for all applicants, regardless of whether you applied through Early Action or Regular Decision. The deadline also stays the same even if your school operates on a trimester, quarter, or nontraditional grading calendar. The form will be available in your application portal in late January and should be completed as soon as possible after your fall semester or second quarter ends.

What if I don’t have grades yet?

If your fall semester, trimester, or quarter grades aren’t available by February 5, you should still submit the MIT FUN form by the deadline. The form includes a section where you can indicate that your grades haven’t been released yet and note when they’re expected to become available. MIT will then reach out with additional instructions on how to submit those grades.

Keep in mind that MIT’s February 5 deadline applies regardless of your school’s grading calendar, so you shouldn’t wait to submit the form until your grades arrive.

What if I have no updates to share?

It’s completely fine if you don’t have new accomplishments, awards, or activities to report. The MIT FUN form includes an option to indicate that you don’t have additional updates at this time.

Submitting the form without significant changes won’t hurt your application. What matters most is completing and submitting the MIT FUN form by the deadline, since failing to submit it can leave your application incomplete.

What about special circumstances?

Not every applicant is in a standard semester-based school, and MIT accounts for that. MIT provides specific instructions for the following situations:

• Homeschooled students should provide any and all grades available for classes taken in the current academic year.
• Students at schools with no midyear grades (including many international schools) can select the option “I attend a school that does not provide midyear grades” and skip the grades section.
• Students who have already graduated should select “I’m not currently attending school; MIT has all of my grades.”

How to Fill Out the MIT FUN Form

You can access the MIT FUN form through your MIT application portal once it becomes available in late January. Once it becomes available, you’ll complete it section by section and submit it through the portal.

The form itself is relatively short, but it’s important to complete each section carefully. Here’s how to fill out the MIT FUN form properly:

How to report grades on the MIT FUN form

The grades section should match your transcript exactly. Report your grades exactly as they appear at your school, without converting them to another grading system. Remember, MIT only asks for your current-year courses and grades, so don’t include your entire academic history from your original application.

In the Grade box, list only your grades, no explanations. For example, it’s sufficient to write “B+” rather than “B+ (final grade)” or “B+ (online course).” See example below:

If your transcript provides quarter grades and a midterm exam grade but no semester grade, list the quarter grades and the midterm exam grade as-is. Don’t create your own average or report your best guess at a final grade. If your school uses a trimester schedule, use your first trimester grades. See example below:

Or, if you need to explain something, put it only in the subject section like this:

If you have more grades to report than spaces available, just continue reporting them in the updates text box.

How to write the updates section

The updates section is a 250-word free-response field where you can share meaningful developments since submitting your application. This can include new awards, leadership positions, research progress, performances, publications, competitions, improved test scores, or other significant accomplishments from senior year.

MIT explicitly notes that casual language is completely acceptable here, so you don’t need to write a polished essay. Bullet points are also acceptable and are often the clearest way to organize your updates. Since the 250-word limit is strict, concise writing usually works best.

On a Reddit thread on r/MITAdmissions, one applicant asked whether it was okay to sound more lighthearted and personal in the MIT FUN form updates section. The replies pointed to MIT’s own admissions philosophy, which emphasizes building a class of students with different personalities, experiences, humor, and perspectives.

Use the FUN form to tell MIT in as authentic a way possible exactly what you would add to the mountain-climbing team that is the incoming class. If a lighthearted or whimsical style will give MIT a better idea of who you are as person, and the unique contributions you can make to the class of 2030, then by all means, do that.

In other words, it’s okay if your updates section sounds a little more human and conversational than your original essays, as long as your updates are still meaningful and genuine.

Dos and don’ts of filling out the MIT FUN form

Here are a few practical tips for making the most of the MIT FUN form:

Do:

• Lead with your most important or impressive update
• Use bullet points to keep your updates organized and easy to read
• Match MIT’s casual, straightforward tone
• Keep updates specific and concrete

Don’t:

• Repeat information already included in your original application
• Turn the updates section into a long essay
• Use the form to rewrite or replace your original application materials
• Fill space with routine or insignificant updates just to reach the word limit

A little personality is completely acceptable on the MIT FUN form. MIT has even suggested that applicants can include a favorite joke or brief personal note. Still, your most meaningful updates should remain the focus of the section.

Applying to MIT?

Applying to MIT involves much more than just completing the MIT FUN form. From building a strong academic profile to writing compelling essays and preparing strategic application updates, every part of the process plays a role in how your application comes together.

If you want expert guidance throughout the entire college admissions process, AdmissionSight’s Senior Editor College Application Program can help. Our team works closely with students on application strategy, essay development, extracurricular positioning, and school selection to help you submit the strongest possible application to highly selective schools like MIT.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the MIT FUN form due?

The MIT FUN form is due on February 5 for all applicants, including Early Action admitted students, deferred applicants, and Regular Decision applicants. The deadline stays the same regardless of your school’s grading calendar.

2. Do I have to submit the MIT FUN form if my school already sent my grades?

Yes, all applicants must complete the MIT FUN form. MIT also states that schools don’t need to mail midyear grades because students list their grades directly on the FUN form.

3. What should I write in the MIT FUN form update section?

You should use the updates section to share meaningful developments since submitting your application. This can include new awards, leadership positions, research progress, performances, competitions, improved test scores, or other accomplishments from senior year.

4. How do I fill out the MIT FUN form if my school uses a non-semester grading system?

MIT accepts quarter grades, trimester grades, and other grading systems. You should report whichever grades are officially available at your school by February 5 and list them exactly as they appear on your transcript.

5. What happens if I miss the MIT FUN form deadline?

The MIT FUN form is a required part of the admissions process. Missing the February 5 deadline can leave your application incomplete, which may affect how your application is reviewed.

Takeaways

• The MIT FUN form is a required part of the admissions process for all applicants, including Early Action admitted students, deferred applicants, international students, and students who have already graduated.
• The MIT FUN form is due on February 5, even if your school hasn’t released midyear grades yet or you don’t have major updates to share.
• MIT asks applicants to report their grades directly on the FUN form, so schools don’t need to send midyear grades separately.
• The updates section works best when you keep it concise, specific, and genuine using meaningful accomplishments, clear bullet points, and MIT’s recommended casual tone.
• Working with a college admissions expert can help you build a stronger overall MIT application strategy, from essays and extracurricular positioning to application updates.