<p>I know it has been said, time and time again, but everyone stresses out a lot on CC, and maybe it wouldn't be CC if we didn't, but I think we might all be a little healthier with a little less stress.</p>
<p>I just got back from a tour of the East Coast and along the way I stopped at MIT, Harvard, Yale and Princeton for tours and information sessions. Now I know many people like me, on the MIT forum of CC may also be looking at the other schools I listed too. Now if you haven't visited these schools, you may be just as surprised as I was to find that the atmospheres of these places, admissions-wise, isn't as bad as it is made to seem here on CC. Don't get me wrong, all of these schools are very competitive and selective, but from what all the admissions officers at these schools said, they really do look for a good fit. I know we hear a lot about "fit" from this forum, but even still, every other thread is "SAT scores not good enough?" or "Didn't do Math Olympiad, can I still go to MIT" or "Haven't cured common cold, do I stand a chance???" but something that was emphasized by all the admissions officers was (on the pretense of fit) was: transcript, extracurricular activities, and personality. If you don't mind reading a lengthy post, I will discuss these further. Keep in mind, I am no expert, I am just a 17 year old kid, and these are my impressions I hope to share with you to reduce the freak-out-factor...</p>
<p>Transcript- Obviously this is important. I mean we spend a good 9 months slaving away in a classroom, learning a lot of what we know and shaping your minds, and getting those A's or B's, whatever you consider good grades. Now for top schools like these, obviously top grades are necessary to get in, this doesn't always mean 4.0 though. Colleges want to see you challenge yourself too. You know all this already though. My impression was one of relief. I have good grades, I work hard for them. I'm glad that grades play a higher role in admissions than a test that you spent one Saturday morning on. I think that it is only fair and right that it be this way as the time and value of our years spent in school, I feel at least, far outweigh one test score.</p>
<p>Extracirriculars- My family was more surprised by this than me but colleges don't care if you have been in every single club your school has to offer. They want students who are passionate about a few things, not dabblers in everything and have no real experience or passion in the club. For instance, I felt very comfortable with my ECs after all the info sessions, meaning to say I felt they were sufficient and they won't break my app (Don't know if it will make it either, but if I knew that then I would have NO stress lol). I am on the swim team, I've been in Girl Scouts forever, I do NHS, I volunteer with autistic kids, I'm in a band and I tutor. I felt good with these because I know that I am passionate with these activities, I know they fill up most of my free time. I cannot physically fit any thing more into my schedule. I know many of you are also like that, so DON'T STRESS ABOUT IT. Also, the admissions officers did NOT spend time talking about competitions or Olympiads or research done in high school, and if they did, it was maybe a sentence or two, but now I wholeheartedly believe that they are not the norm or majority at MIT or any of these schools. I did not hear the name Siemens or Intel not even once. So don't worry if you have not done these things.</p>
<p>Personality- I would say, by the sounds of it, it is usually the essays and recs that make or break the app. They want your true personality, and if it is one they feel will fit in and contribute to the University, maybe you'll get admitted. That said, I know a lot of people at my school who want to go to these schools are cut throat and are basically jerks. Don't be cut throat, know-it-alls and a jerk in your essays, or in real life! Remember, colleges want to admit fun applicants, the admissions officer at MIT even said that on the app they want to make sure you are having fun at your school or with your extracurricular if they are going to admit you. Also about the cut throat, know-it-all, and jerk business, teachers will notice if you are and maybe even your counselor. Remember these people have to write you some stellar recs of you want to go to these schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading. Hope you are less stressed like I am. Feedback welcome.</p>
