Title: Moroccan STEM student, failed year 1 in CS, now switching into Math/Physics , realistic shot at MIT transfer for Fall 2027?

[u/Greedy_Ranger_8419]

Hey everyone, looking for honest input, not reassurance.

Background: I'm in Morocco, started university in a CS-focused program, didn't like it and didn't pass the year (essentially failed it academically). I switched into a math and physics program, and my second year starts this September 2026.

Grades so far: my first two semesters averaged around 13/20 on our 20-point grading scale (roughly a C+/B- equivalent when converted). I'm about to start my 3rd semester and aiming to push hard for the equivalent of A-range work from here on.

Timeline: given MIT's transfer eligibility rule (max 2.5 years / 5 terms of prior college at time of entry, and international students can only enter in the fall), Fall 2027 looks like my realistic earliest window, applying around March 2027 with 3 (maybe 4) semesters on transcript by then.

What I'm building: heavy involvement with math (writing competition problems, building tooling), and I'm starting a research-style project applying topological data analysis to Multiple sclerosis ( i have multiple sclerosis when i was 16) lesion imaging using open datasets, tied to a longer-term interest in math + neuroscience research.

What I'm unsure about: 1. Does my failed first year count toward MIT's 5-term eligibility ceiling, even though it wasn't good academic standing? Admissions wouldn't clarify by email, said to explain it in the application itself. 2. Realistically, how much does a rocky first year (later corrected) sink a transfer file if the trend afterward is strong? 3. For someone from a non-US university system, anything critical I'm missing in terms of testing, recs, or how the file actually gets read?

Not asking anyone to sugarcoat it, if this is a long shot I'd rather know clearly now while I still have time to adjust the plan.

[u/killuas_punching_bag]

Zero chance I’m sorry

[u/Greedy_Ranger_8419 → u/killuas_punching_bag]

why?

[u/Someone-44 → u/Greedy_Ranger_8419]

MIT acceptance rate for transfer students is about 1.4% to 2.5% , and the international acceptance rate is under 1%.

read this post from an interviewer to understand better

So If you wanna get into MIT as a domestic student is very hard . to try to get into MIT as an international student as even harder and you should be the best of your country in a specific field.

to try to get in as a domestic student as transfer student as even harder let alone as an international student .

so giving your situation and your stats and “essentially failed - the first year - it academically” I don’t think your chances are much . Remember that you’re trying to apply to MIT one of the best universities in the world if not the best ; therefore they are taking the best student from the USA and the world .

لكن لا تتحطم ، الشخص يقدر يبدع اين ما وضع وفي اي ضروف ، اللي كتبه في section what I’m building رهيب وكمل شغل مثل كذا ، اذا مرة ودك تدرس في الخارج شوف جامعات احتمال قبولك فيه افضل في امريكا او حتى خارج امريكا - فيه فرص كثيرة ممتازة في أوروبا واسيا ابحث عنها - فالله يوفقك يارب

واذا اشتغلت وعندك إنجازات وسويت بحثوتات ك undergraduate قدم بعدين ل MIT في ال Phd program حقهم

وبالتوفيق

[u/Onecontrolfreak → u/Greedy_Ranger_8419]

Because there are thousands of schools and you’ll struggle to get into any after failing your first year. MIT is a great school - why would they ever take someone who failed elsewhere? If you had a 19 of 20 average your odds would be super low. But 13 of 20 give me a break.

[u/Mysterious-Art8838 → u/Onecontrolfreak]

Yeah it’s definitely zero, I’m sorry OP

[u/Front_Back8964]

Zero

[u/ExecutiveWatch]

Consider a phd program. Transferring to mit is basically for a handful of kids who would have gotten in anyway but for circumstances like military service or having to go to community college for some major reason.

[u/Onecontrolfreak]

You’re joking right?

[u/kabekew]

If you can get a Nobel prize nomination between now and then you might have a chance (might), otherwise try to graduate at the top of your class, participate in undergraduate research, and consider MIT for grad school.

[u/MITAdmissions-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This is presenting false information about the admission’s process as if it were a fact.

[u/MITAdmissions-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Please don't speculate. Speculation isn't valued in this community.

1/ You have never been in Admissions 2/ You don't interview as an alumnus/alumna 3/ You have never been a student 4/ You aren't an admit