<p>I couldn't apply last year because of family problems. That I couldn't help. But I am really suing my gap year to the best of my abilities doing independent(but reviewed) research work and respectable community service. I am even learning French. </p>
<p>Its not that I'm dying to go to MIT or something. Its that I am a science person and MIT is a science place. But Dartmouth is pretty wonderful too. What are the other explanations for high ED rates, except that about 30% are recruited athletes. I bet not many Indians would be applying ED there. I may be wrong!!</p>
<p>Why aren't you looking into Rice University and the University of Chicago? Those seem to fit with your general guidelines (serious academics, excellent in the sciences etc...) and are easier to get into than MIT or Dartmouth. Also, if you don't mind larger schools, check out Cornell and Michigan-Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>"Students at Princeton and Dartmouth, however, choose to do summer research at Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. These students seem to think that doing cutting-edge research trumps full-time direct contact with professors."</p>
<p>Students at Princeton and Dartmouth usually do research with professors at Princeton and Dartmouth after their freshman year. During summers after their sophomore and junior year, they have gained enough credential to do cutting-edge researches at Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and other research schools under professors, not grad students. At least that's what describes my friends' experiences.</p>
<p>There is no such thing as doing research for a grad student at MIT. If an undergrad does research, they always work with and for a professor. My D just completed her freshman year and has already done advanced research for the head of a major laboratory and professor at Harvard Medical School. Next fall, her UROP will be for another laboratory head and full professor at MIT who also happens to be her academic advisor. She meets with her research professors weekly and has no problem getting access to them. She does not compete with grad students for attention, nor does she report to any of them for her work. </p>
<p>Frankly, the professors really enjoy interacting with the undergrads. Many of them take classes with the grad students. They are highly motivated and keep the professors on their toes. This is also why all the top professors teach undergrad classes. There is HUGE difference in working for somebody at the cutting edge of science. Pretty much everything you get involved with can result in publishable material. You have a lot more options as a full time undegraduate student than with a summer program. You don't even have to work on a existing project. You can come up with your own idea and if it makes sense, MIT will fund it.</p>
<p>I sent you messages. Why didn't you reply??</p>
<p>And MIT isn't my dead-on 1st choice or something ... its that I'm still a tiny unsure about Dartmouth science faculty. Thats it. I thought you had understood in the msgs how much I love Dartmouth ...</p>
<p>I just figured you had changed your mind, becuase here you are saying that MIT is your first choice.</p>
<p>Also, I was not specifically talking to you.... hence why I said 'General Rule'.</p>
<p>Better yet, Don't apply Early Decision to any school unless you are 100% sure you would choose that school should you get in to all the schools you will be applying to regular decision. Early Decision is binding...</p>
<p>No I haven't changed my mind. I was worrying about the aid stuff, but after all the comments and doing some research myself, I will go with my decision ... Its Dartmouth ED!!!</p>