Hi
because of the condition of my country; my ECs can’t be compared to those of US student’s. So the only hope I have to be accepted to MIT is my essay because I have many experiences that have changed my life and I want to share some of them with the admission office.
So do you think a strong essay can get me into MIT? or all MIT wants is high scores and spectacular ECs?
MIT will look at what you accomplished with the resources available to you.
How can I show that what resources are available in my area?
It’s possible to supplement your application with a short note to the admissions office. Email addresses to admissions are readily available. Emails tend to be included in files.
If you choose to write a note of explanation, keep it short and positive. Try to keep it under 3-4 lines of information. Think of it as a quick FYI not a supplemental essay.
The problem is that, there’re very few resources here and if I want to talk about the bad condition of living here; I’m able to write a book. so I don’t know if I should talk about it to admission officers; they may reject me because of the condition of my city,or may accept me if they know how good I performed compared to where I live.
what do you think? should I talk about it or not?
If things are that bad, do you not think they will already be somewhat aware? I don’t think you need to worry about this too much. A couple of simple factual statements should suffice.
@AboutTheSame I think they don’t know, because no one has been accepted to MIT from here, at least I know no one.
OK, I will tell them a little bit about the condition of here.
thanks
Do you have a local interview? The interviewer should know about the country and about the local options, and can provide the necessary context.
@Mikalye my interview was waived
There’s a section in which you can write everything about your circumstances so don’t worry about that. By the way, there is no such thing as the ‘only hope’, MIT will review everything about you, and you are not going to compete against anybody.
From everything I’ve read about how admissions are decided at competitive schools, the answer is No. A great essay can change someone from a Maybe/Waitlist to a Yes, but not from a Rejected to a Yes.
There is no magic bullet. There is no one thing that can automatically guarantee acceptance, and only a very few that can guarantee that you will not be accepted (such as an inability to understand English).
And yes, an application essay that explains away some other defect on the application can be decisive. For example, if you are writing an essay that explains that on the day that you took your SAT’s you were delirious with dengue fever (and can evidence that) and the SAT’s are only offered one day per year in your country. Then if the only thing that was causing MIT alarm about admitting you was your SATs, then yes, it could matter. But really, the MIT applicant pool is so competitive, that I would strongly recommend not screwing up any section of the application, such that it has to be explained away.
Also, it is much better if the person who is writing your recommendation from your school talks about it: “Student is exceptional / excels even with the poor resources we have / even [list a few extra bad things] have not stopped Student from constantly finding ways to make it work”. That sort of thing.
@collegemom16 Since one my recommenders doesn’t know English, he will write whatever I say.
I’m studying in the most rigorous school in the city, but the thing is the whole education system of my country is flawed, doesn’t matter where you study, you don’t gain anything. So is it better to my recommender focus on that I’m studying in the most rigorous school or the education system is poor but my student is doing well?
Actually, both- along the lines of ‘we have the most rigorous curriculum in the area, but even so we do not have the teachers or the resources (such as books or lab equipment) to be able to really challenge Student academically’. Student is the most able and motivated student we have, and has made the most of what is available’.
I’m assuming a level of honesty here.
The problem regarding your essay is that most colleges will value action over words. If you’re in a terrible situation, what have you done to try to make it better for yourself and others around you? That is more meaningful to them then you saying you couldn’t do well because the conditions are terrible. That gives them no idea if you would thrive if they gave provided you a much better setting. Best of luck and sorry to hear how bad things are where you are.
@Multiverse7 Thanks you.
Actually, my biggest hook is I have tried hard to change the situation of here, I have done some impactful actions that are very rare here. The thing is I have worked in a team which everyone is above 30 or 40 years old so I haven’t managed to get a leadership position in these groups. should I emphasize that I worked in a group or it’s better to not to mention that?
@collegemom3717 Sorry to mention you again but do you have any idea about my above comment? Thanks
You should represent yourself as honestly and sincerely as you can. If you volunteered in an organization for positive social change that exists outside of your school, nobody will expect “leadership” from you in that context. Of course you should mention it. What is most important is that it says something about who you are and what you value.
It sounds like you come from a country that is underdeveloped economically. Admissions officers are well informed - they will know this. They will not expect you to have participated in activities that don’t exist.
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Since one my recommenders doesn't know English, he will write whatever I say.
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That is highly unethical. I would recommend you rethink this plan, and you do it with a sense or urgency. It could potentially have a much larger impact on your chances than your essay.,