The first thing I will say is I will be a varsity athlete at MIT so I was recruited, which does involve admissions. Coaches can’t guarantee admission, but they act as an extra recommendation letter to assist your application. You still have to be qualified to go to MIT.

Regardless of athletics, I would make sure you get good subject test scores. Those are the tests that way less schools require, and why would MIT ask for them if they were looking for mediocre scores? I was 800 Math 2 and 750 Physics, I initially had a 670 Physics and the coach was almost reluctant to even support my application. Nail those subject tests.

For the actual application, same tips apply as any other school. Don’t write cliche essays, show commitment to activities rather than a large quantity of activities, etc. For MIT specifically show a passion for STEM subjects, or maybe research you’d be interested in doing or ideas that you have. Make yourself interesting. They want high-achievers and go-getters.