Academic Calendar

MIT Academic Calendar 2026‑2027: Important Dates & Deadlines

By eriq elikplim
MIT academic calendar important dates.

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The MIT Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 provides every important date and deadline from MIT application and enrollment dates, tuition payment due dates, and course add/drop windows to university holidays and final exam schedules.

Reading the Massachusetts Institute of Technology academic calendar helps you stay ahead of MIT registration deadlines, plan around the MIT exam schedule, and never miss milestones such as the last day to withdraw without a “W” or the start of the MIT Summer Session.

MIT operates on a semester system enhanced by its unique Independent Activities Period (IAP):

  • Fall Semester: mid‑September to mid‑December (14 instructional weeks + 1 exam week)
  • Independent Activities Period (IAP): first four weeks of January (intensive short courses, workshops, and research)
  • Spring Semester: late January to early May (14 instructional weeks + 1 exam week)
  • Summer Session: May through August, offering a range of accelerated and intersession courses

Whether you’re planning your 14‑week semester workload, exploring creative projects during IAP, or leveraging Summer Session for makeup credits, the MIT Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 is your guide to a successful year at MIT.

MIT Academic Calendar Fall 2026

  1. First-year transfer students will move in on Monday, August 24, 2026.
  2. Students participating in FPOP (First-Year Pre-Orientation Program) will move in on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
  3. First-year students will move in on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
  4. Returning students will move in on Friday, September 4, 2026.
  5. Pre-registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026. This is the final deadline for continuing students to pre-register, and an $85 late fee applies after this deadline.
  6. First-year student orientation begins on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
  7. Registration opens for all students on Monday, August 31, 2026.
  8. Central graduate student orientation activities take place on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
  9. Central graduate student orientation activities continue on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
  10. Undergraduate registration opens for first-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026.
  11. Labor Day will be observed on Monday, September 7, 2026. The university will be closed, and there will be no classes.
  12. Registration Day for the Fall 2026 term takes place on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
  13. Graduate registration opens for first-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
  14. MIT’s first day of Fall 2026 classes is Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
  15. The GAP Grades and Degree Candidate Meeting takes place on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
  16. The deadline for undergraduates on the September degree list to change a Spring 2026 subject to Flex P/NR grading is Thursday, September 10, 2026.
  17. The registration deadline is Friday, September 11, 2026. Registration must be completed by this date, and a $50 late fee applies afterward.
  18. The degree application deadline for February SB and advanced degrees is Friday, September 11, 2026.
  19. The HASS Concentration Proposal Form deadline for second-term juniors is Friday, September 11, 2026.
  20. The HASS Concentration Completion Form deadline for final-term seniors is Friday, September 11, 2026.
  21. The CAP September Degree Candidates Meeting takes place on Friday, September 11, 2026.
  22. First-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes begin on Monday, September 14, 2026.
  23. Faculty officers recommend degrees to the Corporation on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Degree awards are issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
  24. The GAP Deferred Action Meeting takes place on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
  25. The last day to add half-term subjects offered in the first half of term (H1) is Friday, September 18, 2026.
  26. The last day for graduate students to change H1 subjects to or from P/D/F grading is Friday, September 18, 2026.
  27. The last day to change H1 subjects from listener to credit is Friday, September 18, 2026.
  28. Career Week begins on Monday, September 21, 2026.
  29. The Minor Completion Form deadline for final-term seniors is Friday, September 25, 2026.
  30. Career Week ends on Friday, September 25, 2026.
  31. Undergraduate registration opens for second-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
  32. The Add Date is Friday, October 9, 2026. This is the last day to add full-term subjects to registration.
  33. Indigenous Peoples’ Day will be observed on Monday, October 12, 2026.
  34. A Monday class schedule will be followed on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
  35. Graduate registration opens for second-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
  36. The H1 half-term subject final exam period takes place from Monday, October 19, 2026, through Friday, October 23, 2026.
  37. The last day of classes for H1 half-term subjects is Friday, October 23, 2026.
  38. H2 half-term subjects and second-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes begin on Monday, October 26, 2026.
  39. The last day to add H2 half-term subjects is Friday, November 6, 2026.
  40. Veterans Day will be observed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
  41. The deadline for doctoral students to submit spring term non-resident status applications is Sunday, November 15, 2026.
  42. Drop Date is Wednesday, November 18, 2026. This is the last day to cancel full-term subjects from registration.
  43. The last day to drop H2 half-term subjects is Wednesday, November 25, 2026.
  44. Thanksgiving holiday will be observed on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
  45. The Institute holiday will be observed on Friday, November 27, 2026.
  46. Pre-registration for Spring Term and IAP begins on Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
  47. Undergraduate registration opens for IAP Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
  48. The final exam restriction period begins on Friday, December 4, 2026.
  49. Graduate registration opens for IAP Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
  50. The last day of Fall 2026 classes is Thursday, December 10, 2026.
  51. The deadline to submit advanced degree thesis titles for February degree candidates is Friday, December 11, 2026.
  52. The Fall 2026 final examination period takes place from Monday, December 14, 2026, through Friday, December 18, 2026.
  53. The grade deadline for subjects without final exams is Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
  54. The grade deadline for subjects with final exams is Wednesday, January 6, 2027.
  55. Fall term grade summaries become available to departments on Thursday, January 7, 2027.

MIT Academic Calendar Winter Session (IAP) 2027

  1. The January Independent Activities Period (IAP) begins on Monday, January 4, 2027.
  2. The Spring pre-registration deadline is Monday, January 4, 2027. Continuing students must initiate pre-registration by 5:00 p.m. on this date, and an $85 late fee applies after January 14, 2027.
  3. IAP Physical Education & Wellness classes begin on Monday, January 4, 2027.
  4. The IAP pre-registration deadline is Monday, January 4, 2027. All students must complete IAP pre-registration by 5:00 p.m.
  5. The thesis deadline for February doctoral degrees is Friday, January 8, 2027.
  6. The last day to petition for the January Advanced Standing Exam is Friday, January 8, 2027.
  7. CAP Grades Meetings take place on Wednesday, January 13, 2027.
  8. CAP Grades Meetings continue on Thursday, January 14, 2027.
  9. Pre-registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2027. This is the final deadline for continuing students to pre-register for spring, and an $85 late fee applies afterward.
  10. The deadline for continuing students to select preferences for spring CI-H/CI-HW subjects is Thursday, January 14, 2027.
  11. The thesis deadline for February degrees other than doctoral degrees is Friday, January 15, 2027.
  12. The last day to go off the February degree list is Friday, January 15, 2027.
  13. Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed on Monday, January 18, 2027. The university will be closed.
  14. GAP Grades and Progress Meetings take place on Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
  15. GAP Grades and Progress Meetings continue on Wednesday, January 20, 2027.
  16. CAP Deferred Action Meetings take place on Wednesday, January 20, 2027.
  17. CAP Deferred Action Meetings continue on Thursday, January 21, 2027.
  18. Spring 2027 Registration Week begins on Monday, January 25, 2027.
  19. GAP Deferred Action Meetings take place on Tuesday, January 26, 2027.
  20. GAP Deferred Action Meetings continue on Wednesday, January 27, 2027.
  21. Spring 2027 Registration Week ends on Friday, January 29, 2027.
  22. The January Independent Activities Period (IAP) ends on Friday, January 29, 2027.
  23. Undergraduate registration opens for third-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, January 29, 2027.

MIT Academic Calendar Spring 2027

  1. The first day of Spring 2027 classes is Monday, February 1, 2027.
  2. The grade deadline for IAP is Tuesday, February 2, 2027. Grades must be submitted by this date.
  3. Graduate registration opens for third-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2027.
  4. Term summaries of IAP grades become available to departments on Wednesday, February 3, 2027.
  5. The registration deadline is Friday, February 5, 2027. Registration for all students must be submitted by this date, and a $50 late fee applies afterward.
  6. The degree application deadline for May SB and advanced degrees is Friday, February 5, 2027. A $50 late fee applies after this date, and an $85 late fee applies after April 9, 2027.
  7. The deadline for second-term juniors to submit the HASS Concentration Proposal Form is Friday, February 5, 2027.
  8. The deadline for final-term seniors to submit the HASS Concentration Completion Form is Friday, February 5, 2027.
  9. Third-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes begin on Monday, February 8, 2027.
  10. The GAP Grades and Degree Candidate Meeting takes place on Thursday, February 11, 2027.
  11. The deadline for undergraduates on the February degree list to change a Fall 2026 subject to Flex P/NR grading is Thursday, February 11, 2027.
  12. The last day to add half-term subjects offered in the first half of term (H3) is Friday, February 12, 2027.
  13. The last day for graduate students to change H3 subjects to or from P/D/F grading is Friday, February 12, 2027.
  14. The last day to change H3 subjects from listener to credit is Friday, February 12, 2027.
  15. The CAP February Degree Candidates Meeting takes place on Friday, February 12, 2027.
  16. Presidents’ Day will be observed on Monday, February 15, 2027. There will be no classes.
  17. A Monday schedule of classes will be followed on Tuesday, February 16, 2027.
  18. Faculty officers recommend degrees to the Corporation on Wednesday, February 17, 2027. The degree award date is Monday, February 22, 2027.
  19. The Minor Completion Form deadline for final-term seniors is Friday, February 19, 2027.
  20. The GAP Deferred Action Meeting takes place on Monday, February 22, 2027.
  21. Undergraduate registration opens for fourth-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2027.
  22. The Add Date is Friday, March 5, 2027. This is the last day to add full-term subjects to registration.
  23. The deadline for continuing undergraduates to change a Fall 2026 subject to Flex P/NR grading is Friday, March 5, 2027.
  24. The last day for graduate students to change a full-term elective to or from P/D/F grading is Friday, March 5, 2027.
  25. The last day to change a full-term subject from listener to credit is Friday, March 5, 2027.
  26. The last day to drop half-term subjects offered in the first half of term (H3) is Friday, March 5, 2027.
  27. The last day to change an H3 subject from credit to listener is Friday, March 5, 2027.
  28. A late fee of $100 and a petition are required for students completing registration after Friday, March 5, 2027.
  29. The deadline for February 2028 degree candidates to apply for a double major is Friday, March 5, 2027.
  30. The deadline for completing cross-registration is Friday, March 5, 2027. A $50 late fee applies for petitions approved after this date.
  31. Graduate registration opens for fourth-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2027.
  32. The H3 half-term subject final exam period takes place from Monday, March 15, 2027, through Friday, March 19, 2027.
  33. The last day of classes for H3 half-term subjects is Friday, March 19, 2027.
  34. MIT Spring Break 2027 begins on Monday, March 22, 2027, and ends on Friday, March 26, 2027.
  35. The first day of classes for half-term subjects offered in the second half of term (H4) is Monday, March 29, 2027.
  36. Fourth-quarter Physical Education & Wellness classes begin on Wednesday, March 31, 2027.
  37. The deadline to submit advanced degree thesis titles for May degree candidates is Friday, April 9, 2027.
  38. The last day to add H4 half-term subjects is Friday, April 9, 2027.
  39. The last day for graduate students to change H4 subjects to or from P/D/F grading is Friday, April 9, 2027.
  40. The last day to change H4 subjects from listener to credit is Friday, April 9, 2027.
  41. Campus Preview Weekend begins on Thursday, April 15, 2027, and ends on Sunday, April 18, 2027.
  42. Patriots’ Day will be observed on Monday, April 19, 2027.
  43. Drop Date is Tuesday, April 20, 2027. This is the last day to cancel full-term subjects from registration.
  44. The last day to change a full-term subject from credit to listener is Tuesday, April 20, 2027.
  45. The last day to add a time-arranged subject that started after the beginning of the term is Tuesday, April 20, 2027.
  46. The last day to petition for the May Advanced Standing Exam is Tuesday, April 20, 2027.
  47. The last day to drop H4 half-term subjects is Tuesday, April 27, 2027.
  48. The last day to change an H4 subject from credit to listener is Tuesday, April 27, 2027.
  49. The thesis deadline for May doctoral degrees is Friday, April 30, 2027.
  50. Pre-registration for Fall Term and Summer Session begins on Monday, May 3, 2027.
  51. The final exam restriction period begins on Friday, May 7, 2027.
  52. The thesis deadline for June degrees other than doctoral degrees is Friday, May 7, 2027.
  53. The last day of Spring 2027 classes is Tuesday, May 11, 2027.
  54. The last day to go off the May degree list is Friday, May 14, 2027.
  55. The grade deadline for subjects without final exams is Friday, May 14, 2027.
  56. The final examination period begins on Friday, May 14, 2027.
  57. The final examination period continues from Monday, May 17, 2027, through Wednesday, May 19, 2027.
  58. The grade deadline for subjects with final exams is Friday, May 21, 2027, at noon.
  59. Term summaries of Spring 2027 grades become available to departments on Friday, May 21, 2027.
  60. The Department Grades Meeting takes place on Tuesday, May 25, 2027.
  61. The deadline for undergraduates on the May degree list to change a Spring 2027 subject to Flex P/NR grading is Tuesday, May 25, 2027.
  62. The CAP May Degree Candidates Meeting and GAP Degree Candidates Meeting take place on Wednesday, May 26, 2027.
  63. Faculty officers recommend degrees to the Corporation on Wednesday, May 26, 2027. The degree award date is Thursday, May 27, 2027.
  64. Commencement activities begin on Wednesday, May 26, 2027.
  65. Commencement activities continue on Thursday, May 27, 2027.
  66. The degree award date is Thursday, May 27, 2027.
  67. The Summer Session pre-registration deadline is Thursday, May 27, 2027. All students must complete summer session pre-registration by this date.
  68. Commencement activities continue on Friday, May 28, 2027.
  69. Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 31, 2027. The university will be closed.
  70. Summer registration opens for all students on Tuesday, June 1, 2027.
  71. CAP Grades Meetings take place on Tuesday, June 1, 2027.
  72. CAP Grades Meetings continue on Wednesday, June 2, 2027.
  73. The first day of classes for the regular Summer 2027 session is Monday, June 7, 2027.
  74. GAP Grades and Progress Meetings take place on Monday, June 7, 2027.
  75. GAP Grades and Progress Meetings continue on Tuesday, June 8, 2027.
  76. CAP Deferred Action Meetings take place on Wednesday, June 9, 2027.
  77. CAP Deferred Action Meetings continue on Thursday, June 10, 2027.
  78. The degree application deadline for September SB and advanced degrees is Friday, June 11, 2027. A $50 late fee applies after this date, and an $85 late fee applies after July 16, 2027.
  79. The Summer 2027 registration deadline is Friday, June 11, 2027. Registration for all students must be submitted by this date, and a $50 late fee applies afterward.
  80. The Fall pre-registration deadline is Friday, June 11, 2027. Continuing students must initiate pre-registration by this date, and an $85 late fee applies after August 26, 2027.
  81. The deadline for continuing students to select preferences for Fall CI-H/CI-HW subjects is Friday, June 11, 2027.
  82. GAP Deferred Action Meetings take place on Monday, June 14, 2027.
  83. GAP Deferred Action Meetings continue on Tuesday, June 15, 2027.
  84. Juneteenth will be observed on Friday, June 18, 2027. The university will be closed.

MIT Academic Calendar Summer 2026

  1. Thesis due for June degrees (other than doctoral) is on Friday, May 8, 2026.
  2. Summer registration opens for all students on Monday, June 1, 2026.
  3. CAP grades meetings run from Tuesday, June 2, 2026, to Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
  4. The first day of regular Summer Session classes is Monday, June 8, 2026.
  5. GAP grades meeting is on Monday, June 8, 2026, according to the MIT Academic Calendar 2026.
  6. CAP deferred‑action meetings run from Thursday, June 10, 2026, to Friday, June 11, 2026.
  7. The summer registration deadline (incurs a $50 late fee) is Friday, June 12, 2026.
  8. The fall pre‑registration deadline (continuing students incur a $85 late fee after August 27) is Friday, June 12, 2026.
  9. The last day to apply for September SB and advanced degrees (incurs a $50 late fee; $85 after July 17) is Friday, June 12, 2026.
  10. GAP deferred‑action meeting is on Monday, June 15, 2026.
  11. Juneteenth (university closed) is on Friday, June 19, 2026.
  12. The last day to submit advanced‑degree thesis titles for September degrees (incurs a $85 late fee after July 17) is Friday, July 10, 2026.
  13. The last day of Summer Session classes is Friday, August 28, 2026.
  14. Summer Session officially ends on Friday, August 28, 2026.

For more on the MIT Academic Calendar, visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology registrar’s key dates website.

eriq elikplim
eriq elikplimhttps://acadcalendar.com
Eric Elikplim is the lead editor of AcadCalendar.com. Eriq draws on 10 years of experience in edtech and project management. He has collaborated directly with multiple universities, establishing processes to cross-check term dates, registration deadlines, and exam schedules. Beyond calendar data, Eriq contributes thought leadership on academic productivity: he has authored articles on semester planning, and consulted with student organizations to refine reminder features and user experience.

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