<p>My question is about admission. Since you got accepted to MIT, what was the thing that in your opinion helped you stand out between the pool of other applicants? I know there isn't any one part that gets you admitted but I'm asking what stood out in particular in your application?</p>
<p>Thanx for any replies in advance they'll be greatly appreciated :)</p>
<p>I emphasized my love for writing–which is (I assume) something not extremely common among MIT students–and basically “vowed” to write for MIT one way or another.</p>
<p>PS. I’m planning to concentrate (not major) in science writing.</p>
<p>^There’s no evidence that MIT admits to fill niches (e.g., x number of writers, y number of oboe players, etc.) Harvard does this, but traditionally MIT does not. Historically, they looked at the strongest candidates academically and looked at other talents (leadership, sports) to break ties. They’ve gone somewhat away from that philosophy, but I don’t think you need to try to stand out by looking for some niche to fill.</p>
<p>I applied for linguistics and met with a professor as well as sat in on a class. MIT only has about 12 linguistics majors or so, so I think that definitely helped my application.</p>
<p>Linguistics w00t w00t.</p>
<p>^^This kind of implies MIT admits by major, meaning if you are interested in a less common major like urban studies or linguistics, then this would boost your chances. MIT does not admit by major.</p>
<p>Sure they don’t admit by major…but when The Tech runs an article that MIT is looking for more linguistics majors… ;)</p>
<p>I could tell you about how I was really involved in music and theater and that I said I was interested in environmental engineering, but I’m not sure if that’s exactly helpful to you. MIT doesn’t admit by major or quota from any activity, so I would suggest not trying to find the most obscure major or such. Emphasize what you love and what you’re honestly interested in throughout the application and interview, if you choose to have one (which you should, IMO).</p>
<p>(What collegealum said). MIT does not admit by major. Period. Don’t say you’re interested in political science just because you THINK there are not many applicants who’re into political science. They can often tell from your essays and recommendations whether you are truly passionate about something. </p>
<p>Yes I did say I loved writing and I ACTUALLY do love writing.</p>
<p>collegealum is correct in response to both jeff and eak</p>
<p>I had a decent amount of federally funded research, classified clearance, and presentation experience at national symposia. I think these helped a lot. </p>
<p>I was lucky(?) to have a series of factors working for me:</p>
<p>I was raised in <em>very</em> poor single-parent household torn apart by drug abuse. I’m a first generation college student and a URM. I attended gang-infested schools for most of my life. However, I was somewhat insulated by a strong gifted and talented program that helped me to filter out the noise in my life and focus on my future. I’ve worked, legally or not, since age 11. I was lucky enough at 15 to land a job doing engineering physics research (fluid dynamics) and moved up quickly within it. At 16, I decided to apply to MIT. I enrolled that fall, without a HS diploma. The rest is awesome history. </p>
<p>There are a couple of regional and national awards in there too, but that was my essential trajectory. </p>
<p>…Later, in grad school, at some extremely pretentious Ivy League party, I had a laugh to myself about the extremes of American society in which I’ve participated so intimately over the years. For all the bad, it’s been a pretty great life. It just gets better.</p>
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<p>Yay, 24! </p>
<p>Anyway, I wrote an essay that was considered really good. Good enough for comment from an admissions officer :). Sometimes, when I’m there, I walk around and wonder if it’s the only or main reason why I’m there. I wouldn’t be so upset if it were.
I’m also a URM with pretty decent standardized test scores. I don’t walk around wondering if that’s the only or main reason why I’m at MIT, and I would be upset if it were.</p>
<p>It’s true. Find what you are passionate about, engage in activitires related to what you are passionate about. Showcase in the essays what you are passionate about, and you will not only have a good shot at MIT, but you will also be a happier person than if you hadn’t done those things 
For me, that was linguistics, if for you that special something is physics or astronomy or biology, then go for it!</p>