Matt Weller, USD 379 Communications Coordinator
Photo Courtesy of USD 379
Clay Center Community High School senior Miller Coffman has been accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the nation’s most selective universities located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
More than 12,000 applications were received by MIT this year, and last year only 721 students were admitted. Coffman’s admittance reflects years of academic focus, leadership, and involvement both inside and outside the classroom. While he earned an impressive ACT score of 35, he believes MIT looked closely at his goals and commitment across other areas as well.
“I think a lot of what got me in is my goals — just my dedication to what I do and having goals that I’m committed to,” Coffman said.
At CCCHS, Coffman has been heavily involved in band and has held leadership roles throughout the school. Beyond school, he participates in a youth symphony in Manhattan, he wrestles and was a key part of the state-qualifying baseball team last spring, and he regularly performs for the community through his church.
MIT’s application process is different from many other colleges. The university does not use the Common Application and instead requires students to complete a separate application.
“They want to know about your interest in STEM, how you’re involved in your community, and how you might fit in with MIT’s culture and goals,” he said.
As part of the process, Coffman also completed a virtual interview with an MIT educational counselor — an alumnus who asked about his daily life, education, and community involvement.
Looking ahead, Coffman plans to study either astrophysics or aerospace engineering and is considering pursuing a dual degree in both. His long-term career goals are firmly rooted in space science.
“I want to either build rockets or study deep space,” Coffman said. “Space has been my interest for a while now.”
